Government grants and contributions in Canada

We track 125 grant and contribution programs that are open or ongoing right now (82 federal, 43 Ontario), plus 53 that take applications in intake windows. 45 of the open or ongoing programs publish a figure of $100K or more. They are ranked below by our 0 to 100 score, which weighs how much a program pays against how hard it is to win; last checked Nov 5, 2026.

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Ranked programs

Top 36 of 178 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

  1. FedDev Ontario - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

    FedDev Ontario

    Liquidity assistance and pivot-project funding for southern Ontario businesses hurt by U.S. tariffs. Non-repayable for smaller amounts, repayable for large...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $20M
    54
    Top pick

  2. Apprenticeship Achievement Incentive (employer and group sponsor milestone payments)

    Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

    Pays employers and group sponsors at apprentice milestones: registration, each in-class level, and certification.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $17K
    51
    Top pick

  3. Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

    Ministry of Infrastructure

    Formula-based funding for small, rural and northern municipalities for core infrastructure; $400 million to 423 communities in 2026.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $10M
    50
    Top pick

  4. OCI Digital Competence Centre

    Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)

    Digital adoption support for Ontario SMEs, including funded digital modernization plans and technology demonstration projects.

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $50K
    46
    Strong

  5. Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Federal grants paid into a child's RESP: the CESG matches contributions, and the Canada Learning Bond adds money for lower-income families.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $7K
    45
    Strong

  6. FedNor - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

    FedNor

    Liquidity assistance and pivot-project funding for Northern Ontario businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $20M
    44
    Strong

  7. Canada Community Security Program (CCSP)

    Public Safety Canada

    Time-limited funding to enhance physical security at gathering spaces of communities at risk of hate-motivated incidents and crimes, such as places of worship, community...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $5M
    43
    Strong

  8. Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Access to Capital (Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program)

    Indigenous Services Canada, delivered by Indigenous Financial Institutions and Metis Capital Corporations

    Non-repayable equity-type contributions and business services for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous community businesses to start, expand or acquire a business...

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $250K
    43
    Strong

  9. Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) Fund

    Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth

    Provides each of Northern Ontario's 144 municipalities an annual capital allocation to offset the impacts of resource development (forestry, mining, aggregates...

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $400K
    43
    Strong

  10. Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)

    Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (federal-provincial cost-shared)

    Helps individual Ontario employers pay for short-term training for existing or new employees, with the government covering a share of eligible training costs.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $15K
    42
    Strong

  11. Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-Ontario Job Grant)

    Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (Employment Ontario)

    Helps employers pay for short-term third-party training for new or existing employees. Employer and government share the training cost.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $15K
    42
    Strong

  12. Canada Student Grants and Loans

    Employment and Social Development Canada / provincial student aid

    Grants and loans for post-secondary students of low and middle incomes, students with dependants and students with disabilities.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    41
    Strong

  13. Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF)

    Ministry of Sport

    $500 million cost-shared program to repair/upgrade existing sport and recreation facilities (Stream 1) and build new or signature facilities (Stream 2).

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $10M
    41
    Strong

  14. Mitacs Accelerate

    Mitacs

    Matches partner contributions to fund research internships connecting businesses and organizations with university researchers and trainees.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    41
    Strong

  15. NGen Industrial AI Readiness Program

    NGen with NRC IRAP

    Reimburses SME manufacturers for professional fees of AI service providers for readiness evaluations and implementation plans.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $15K
    41
    Strong

  16. FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

    FedNor

    FedNor's NODP funds community economic development, SME business growth and a municipal/First Nation economic-development-officer initiative (CIINO) in Northern Ontario...

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $170K
    40
    Strong

  17. Better Jobs Ontario

    Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (Employment Ontario)

    Funds tuition, books and living support for laid-off or long-term unemployed workers to retrain for in-demand jobs. Aimed at individuals rather than employers.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $35K
    39
    Strong

  18. Mitacs AI Advantage (ADOPT and AI+X)

    Mitacs

    Non-competitive Mitacs offerings supporting organizations to adopt and innovate with AI through trainee-led projects: ADOPT (AI readiness to implementation) and AI+X...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $25K
    39
    Strong

  19. NOHFC Enhance Your Community Program

    Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

    Funds community infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $2M
    39
    Strong

  20. NOHFC Rural Enhancement Program

    Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

    Funds quality-of-life projects in rural Northern Ontario communities.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $500K
    39
    Strong

  21. Great Lakes Local Action Fund

    Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

    Project funding for community-based action that increases climate resilience and protects or improves water quality in the Great Lakes, including wetland, shoreline and...

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $100K
    38
    Strong

  22. Municipal Energy Plan Program

    Ministry of Energy and Mines

    Funds Ontario municipalities to develop a new community energy plan (Stream 1) or update an existing energy plan (Stream 2). It does not fund implementing existing plans.

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $90K
    38
    Strong

  23. Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program

    Employment and Social Development Canada (Reserve Force employer support)

    One-time financial support to civilian employers and self-employed reservists to offset operational costs when a reservist employee deploys on full-time operational duty.

    OpenFederalGrants
    37
    Worth a look

  24. FedDev Ontario - Funding for organizations that help businesses grow (Regional Innovation Ecosystems)

    FedDev Ontario

    Funding for not-for-profit and community development organizations that strengthen regional business ecosystems and support SME growth in southern Ontario.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $10M
    37
    Worth a look

  25. FedDev Ontario - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

    FedDev Ontario

    Funded AI commercialization and AI adoption projects in southern Ontario. Intake has ended.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $700M
    37
    Worth a look

  26. Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

    Mitacs

    Matches partner funds to place students, postdocs and recent graduates in business-strategy and innovation projects at Canadian organizations.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $15K
    37
    Worth a look

  27. CanExport GAC-Led Delegations

    Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada)

    Covers part of the cost of SME participation in selected GAC-led trade missions and delegations.

    OpenFederalGrants
    36
    Worth a look

  28. Celebrate Canada Funding Program

    Canadian Heritage

    Funds community activities held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.

    OpenFederalGrants
    36
    Worth a look

  29. Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

    Ministry of Colleges and Universities (via OSAP)

    Covers tuition, books, compulsory fees and other education costs for students in priority postsecondary healthcare programs (nursing, paramedic, medical laboratory) in...

    OpenOntarioGrants
    36
    Worth a look

  30. SSHRC Connection Grants

    Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

    Supports events and outreach activities for short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization, often a first step toward larger and longer-term projects.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
    36
    Worth a look

  31. Worker Retention Grant (Work-Sharing)

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Provides additional income support to EI-eligible employees working reduced hours under an approved Work-Sharing agreement.

    OpenFederalGrants
    36
    Worth a look

  32. Commemorative Partnership Program (Community Engagement and Community War Memorials)

    Veterans Affairs Canada

    Funds remembrance initiatives and the construction, restoration or expansion of community war memorials. Several streams with year-round and fixed-deadline intakes.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $25K
    35
    Worth a look

  33. NOHFC Invest North - Launch

    Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

    Conditional contribution for new start-ups in Northern Ontario.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $200K
    35
    Worth a look

  34. Ontario Bridge Training Program

    Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

    Ontario-funded bridge training delivered by approved providers that helps internationally trained newcomers find work matching their qualifications, through...

    OngoingOntarioGrants
    35
    Worth a look

  35. Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)

    Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

    Tariff-response fund supporting near-term business investments to serve interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore supply chains.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $5M
    35
    Worth a look

  36. Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

    Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

    Provincially funded pre-apprenticeship training of up to 52 weeks, delivered by colleges and community agencies, with an 8 to 12 week work placement, for people who want...

    OngoingOntarioGrants
    35
    Worth a look

There are 142 more. Create a free account to filter the full list by your own profile.

How we rank

Each program gets a score from 0 to 100 that asks how much money you can realistically get for how little work. It blends the largest published amount (loans count for less because they are repaid), how much effort an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify. Closed programs score zero and programs without a published dollar figure get a neutral value, never a guess. Scores are editorial estimates, not predictions of approval.

Questions

How many grant and contribution programs are open right now?

Of the 347 grant and contribution programs in our database, 125 are open or ongoing and 53 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 5, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

FedDev Ontario - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Up to $700M". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which grant and contribution programs rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are FedDev Ontario - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (54, Top pick), Apprenticeship Achievement Incentive (51, Top pick), Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (50, Top pick). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 125 open or ongoing programs here, 125 are in our Grants category, 0 are loans and 0 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Are these federal or Ontario programs?

82 of the 125 open or ongoing programs here come from the federal government and 43 from the Ontario government. Both levels can usually be combined, but many programs have stacking rules that cap total government funding for the same costs, so check them before you apply.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.

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Estimates; confirm on the official page. Independent research tool, not a government website. Data last checked Nov 5, 2026. Grants & Loans Finder.