[Webinar Invitation] Money for Manufacturers: How to fund your business
We would like to invite you to an upcoming webinar with SYSPRO – Money for Manufacturers: How to fund your business – this Wednesday, May 31st.
During this webinar, Igor Chigrin, Business Funding Expert at Fair Grant Writing, will outline how you can tap into grants and incentives available to Canadian manufacturing businesses & walk you through:
- The various funds available to Canadian manufacturers
- Who qualifies to receive government funding
- The step-by-step process to apply for and secure these funds
- Funding programs available today
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 02.00 PM ET.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Fill out the Eligibility Check form at http://www.fairgrantwriting.
[Webinar Invitation] CDAP Grant Recap & Alternate business funding
We would like to invite you to the upcoming webinar – CDAP Grant Overview and Alternate Lending Solutions – this Wednesday, May 17.
During this webinar, Kira Tchernikovsky, the CMO of Customerization, will provide an overview of the CDAP grant program, including its purpose, eligibility requirements, timelines, and possible pitfalls. Cubeler’s Erika Hild will take you through the alternative lending options that SMEs can leverage to finance their strategic business growth.
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is set up to help get businesses online, boost e-commerce presence on the market and help digitalize business’s operations. CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians. One of the current funding opportunities under CDAP includes Boost Your Business Technology Grant.
By the end of this webinar, you’ll not only have a comprehensive understanding of the CDAP grant program and how it can support your digital transformation projects but also you will also find out the multiple alternative financing options in Canada.
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 12:00 PM.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Fill out the Eligibility Check form at http://www.fairgrantwriting.
Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative
Amount: 20% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $300,000 in funding.
Growing your business in Ontario? New intakes are open
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) have opened their new intake window from April 27 to June 15, 2023.
The Funds support projects and investments in businesses for economic development in Ontario. Among them are projects that create jobs, encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development, and attract private sector investment.
Eligibility Criteria
- For Business Projects:
- Invest at least $500K in their project (or $200K in rural Ontario)
- Employ at least 10 people (or 5 in rural Ontario)
- Commit to creating at least 5 new jobs (or 30% increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees)
- Be able to provide 3 years of operations/financial statements
- Be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in southwestern or eastern Ontario
Funding
15% of eligible expenses in the form of a grant or loan with a forgivable portion. The maximum amount applies.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
New Manufacturing Tax Credit
The provincial budget tabled a few weeks ago shed some light on a new Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, a 10% grant on the cost of eligible manufacturing equipment.
The program will be a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for capital investments in buildings, machinery and equipment used in manufacturing or processing to continue to bring back manufacturing to Ontario.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be Canadian‐controlled private corporation (CCPC)
- Have a permanent establishment in Ontario
- Make qualifying investments (incur eligible costs)
Eligible Costs
- Constructing, renovating or acquiring buildings used for manufacturing or processing that become available for use on or after March 23, 2023. To qualify as a building used for manufacturing, 90% of the floor space of the building must be used at the end of the corporation’s taxation year for manufacturing or processing.
- Machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing or processing of goods. The machinery and equipment would have to be acquired and become available for use on or after March 23, 2023, and before 2026.
The maximum amount of funding is twenty million per taxation year and would be prorated for a short taxation year.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
2023 Federal Budget: New Grant Opportunities
New 2023 Federal budget is heavily focused on clean and green technology adoption by introducing three new tax credits:
- Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit – 30% of the cost of new machinery and equipment used to manufacture or process key clean technologies, and extract, process, or recycle key critical minerals
- Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Investment Tax Credit
More information about these new programs will be available in the coming weeks or months.
In addition, the following new grants were announced:
- Clean Fuels Fund to encourage investment in the production of clean fuels, including clean hydrogen and biofuels;
- Canada Growth Fund to incentivize private sector investment into projects and companies that will grow Canada’s clean economy at speed and scale;
- Net Zero Accelerator to make large-scale investments in clean technologies;
- Low Carbon Economy Fund to support the installation of emission-reducing technologies for provinces and territories, businesses, Indigenous communities, and other organizations;
- Canada Innovation Corporation, which will support Canadian businesses in investing in research and development.
In the meantime, the funding for the following Federal incentive programs was renewed:
- CanExport – 50% of export market entry cost.
- Canada Digital Adoption Program – 90% of the digital technology assessment cost.
- Business Scale-Up & Productivity – interest-free loans covering 35%-50% of the cost of business expansion. Rules and intake procedures vary from province to province.
- Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Credit – 60% of the labour cost involved in R&D.
- Industrial Research Assistance Program – 80% of the labour cost involved in R&D.
- Most of the hiring incentives.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
What’s in the 2023 Ontario budget for you?
The province of Ontario tabled the new 2023 budget, so we are happy to share that several new funding programs were announced, and the funding for some of the existing programs was renewed.
Ontario introduced an Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, a 10% grant on the cost of eligible manufacturing equipment, machinery and buildings. It would be a refundable Corporate Income Tax credit on qualifying investments in manufacturing or processing in the province.
In the meantime, the funding for the following provincial incentive programs was renewed.
- Digital Competence Centre – new grant provides 50% of the software and hardware costs.
- Ontario Automotive Modernization Program – provides 50% of the software and hardware costs and lean training for automotive parts manufacturers.
- Regional Development Grants: Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, Eastern Ontario Development Fund, Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund – provide 15%-50% of the large-scale expansion costs. Intake dates and procedures vary.
- The terms of the renewed Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership program should be available in the next few weeks because it is a jointly funded program by the Federal and provincial governments.
One program we could not find in the budget was the Canada-Ontario Job Grant. It was a successful skills training grant that was around for 7 years.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
New Tax Credit is Coming Soon
Next week both the provincial and Federal government will announce the budgets for the next fiscal year starting April 1, 2023. There are several new programs we expect and we will keep you posted. But the good news about some of those new programs just came out.
Ontario introduces an Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, a 10% grant on the cost of eligible manufacturing equipment.
We will know more about eligibility and how the program will work in the next few weeks, so please, stay tuned. In the meantime, consider applying for the following grants:
CanExport – provides 50% of your export marketing costs.
CME Technology Investment Program – provides 50% of the new equipment, robotic, automation and IioT costs.
Digital Competence Centre – provides 50% of the software and hardware costs.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund
Amount: 20% of the equipment & related cost with the maximum amount of $10M.
IRAP Reform is Coming
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) is one of the oldest and most popular government funding programs for research & development. It is available for most of the established technology, manufacturing and agri-food firms that have specific upcoming R&D projects with a defined scope and resource allocation. Startups can also access funding if they meet certain conditions.
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) currently manages the program. In order to access the funding, you need to contact the NRC first and speak to a dedicated program representative called the Industrial Technology Adviser (ITA).
Now that’s about to change. The program is being reformed. Here is what you need to know.
- The Federal government will establish a new Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC)
- IRAP will be merged with CIC, and all ITAs will seamlessly transition to the new corporation
- There will be three program streams in the future:
– Applied Research
– Experimental Development
– Technological Adaptation - No major changes to the eligibility rules are expected
- The amount of funding will range from $50K to 5M, and up to 20M exceptionally
- The review process of smaller projects will be streamlined to enable faster decision making
- An extensive expert review of large-scale projects will be done at the beginning of the project to secure cash flow
The corporation is expected to be up and running by April 1, 2024, so you have the entire year to apply for the good old Industrial Research Assistance Program.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
CME Technology Investment Program – Southern Ontario Grant for Equipment
Amount: 50% of the project cost up to $50,000.
Digital Competence Center Grant vs Canada Digital Adoption Program
As you may know, recently, the Ontario government launched a Digital Competence Center grant program that helps businesses determine the right technology for them and then implement the solution.
This launch created confusion between this new DCC grant and the Canada Digital Adoption Program that was launched by the Federal government several months earlier.
We would like to address this confusion and answer the most frequently asked questions about both programs.
| Digital Competence Center | Canada Digital Adoption Program | |
| Key eligibility criteria | Ontario-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees and at least $500,000 of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years | Canada-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees and at least $500,000 of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years |
| Mandatory Technology Assessment prior to funding application | Yes | Yes |
| Government grant that covers the costs of mandatory technology assessment | 50% of the cost of assessment up to a maximum of $15,000 | 90% of the cost of assessment up to a maximum of $15,000 |
| Access to a Technology Consultant | Before the application starts | After the application is approved |
| Endorsement from the Funder | Required | Not Required |
| Endorsement from preferred technology vendor | Required | Not Required |
| Funding for Technology implementation | Grant of 50% of the implementation cost up to a maximum of $150,000 | Interest-free loan for up to a maximum of $100,000, repayable over 5 years |
| Stackable with each other? | No | No |
| How to Apply? | Submit the intake request form on the Ontario Center for Innovation website | Submit the application form on the Government of Canada application portal |
| Source of Funding | Ontario budget | Federal budget |
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
The CanExport Program is Back
We are happy to share with you that CanExport will start accepting applications again beginning February 15, 2023, for projects starting on or after April 1, 2023.
The program expanded the list of eligible costs in the intellectual property protection category, but there are no other major changes. The program provides 50% of the costs associated with entering new export markets up to $50K.
Eligible costs categories are:
- Travel for meetings or events
- Trade events (shows, conferences)
- Marketing and translation
- Interpretation services
- Contractual agreements, intellectual property protection, certification
- Consulting – Business, tax and legal advice
- Consulting – Market research, feasibility studies, identification of key contacts, B2B
The applicant must be a Canadian corporation located anywhere in the country with at least 1 employee on payroll and $100K in annual revenue.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Intake Started: AMIC grant for expanding manufacturers
The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream has launched a new round of intakes on February 1, 2023. The program aims to provide financial support to Ontario-based advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Eligibility Criteria:
Amount:
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
January 2023 Deadlines & Intakes
Deadlines
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Last Chance to Apply: Canada Summer Jobs
Eligibility Criteria:
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy closing in January
Eligibility Criteria:
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Food Security and Supply Chain Fund
Amount: up to 25% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.
10 Years in Business
These days are very special for Fair Grant Writing. Exactly 10 years ago, on October 25, 2012, we signed our first grant writing service agreement with our first client.
At the time, there was no corporation, no team, and no experience. But we saw a good untapped opportunity and grabbed it. We are grateful to those first clients who trusted in us then.
Fast forward 10 years and over 765 grant applications and business plans written for our clients in manufacturing, technology and agri-food sectors, we feel very proud, especially for our clients, mostly independent and family-owned businesses. They secured hundreds of millions of dollars to support their growth and the creation of jobs in their communities.
Many things have changed over those years: governments, programs, and the economy. Large firms acquired our competitors. However, our commitment to helping our clients unlock their access to government funding hasn’t changed.
Many more years to come!
Intake Is Open Now: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream is back
The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream or AMIC is back and will start accepting applications as of August 10, 2022. This fund is aimed to provide financial support to Ontario-based advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. It will support investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Have at least three years of operations/financial statements.
- Employ at least 10 people.
- Commit to creating at least five new jobs and/or upskilled current jobs.
- Invest at least $500K in their project.
- Be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in Ontario.
Eligible Activities:
- Create jobs and build talent.
- Attract and encourage private sector investment.
- Help companies to adopt technologies that improve their competitiveness.
- Lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts.
- Encourage innovation, collaboration, and cluster development.
Funding
Up to 15% of project cost, interest-free during the project period (loan for up to four years). Grants are available only for specific circumstances for:
- small companies located in rural communities
- strategic projects that are foreign direct investments or from companies competing against other jurisdictions
- companies with significant reshoring projects.
Deadline
Application opening: August 10, 2022 – September 22, 2022
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Grant for Digital Resilience
Today’s news about the nationwide outage of the Rogers network and its impact on businesses reminded me how vulnerable we are to the events like this and how our businesses depend on technology.
It also prompted me to remind you that a nationwide grant can help your business become more digitally resilient. It is called Canada Digital Adoption Program. It pays 90% of the cost of the digital assessments up to a maximum of $15K.
Digital Assessment identifies your business’ digital strengths and weaknesses across several parameters, such as strategy, business model, products and services, customer experience, operations, technology, organization and cybersecurity. It will then outline clear and actionable plan how to address weaknesses including a list of specific digital technologies (e.g. software, hardware) your business needs to implement.
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?
Fill out Eligibility Check form at http://www.fgwinc.ca/
Webinar: Information on Government Funding for Manufacturers and Supply Chain Partners
The information is valid as of June 29, 2022.
