Grants for Blog Post

Eligible Costs for DCC Grant Updated

We’d like to inform you that eligible costs for the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) grant have been updated. Following the recent update, projects focused on helping clients select a suitable system for their business are now eligible DMAP projects.

Consultant-led activities, eligible for the DCC grant, now can include for instance, developing functional requirements, identifying vendors, and where applicable, helping clients prepare an RFP and evaluate vendor bids.

Note about DMAP stream of DCC program:

The Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) program supports Ontario SMEs to better understand their organization’s technology needs, guide their digital transformation decision-making, and optimize their technology investments. Through this program, SMEs work with a Digital Adoption Consultant to generate a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan tailored specifically to their organization’s digital needs.

Amount

50% (maximum) of total eligible project costs, up to $15K. Once the project is completed you will be eligible to apply for funding up to $150K to implement the selected system.

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Update: CanExport Grant Temporarily Paused

We’d like to inform you that CanExport SME Grant Program has been put on pause as of June 19, 2023. We’ll be covering all the updates on the program and its reopening to keep you timely informed and prepared.

About CanExport Grant:
CanExport Grant Funding Program provides government funding to small to medium-sized Canadian businesses for exporting their business marketing (digital including) and reimburses 50% of selected export marketing cost to a maximum of $50K.

CanExport Grant covers such export marketing costs as trade show and trade mission cost, digital and online advertising to the foreign customers, translation cost, cost of shipping samples, export market research and business planning and more. The main goal of the Program is to support those who export business in Canada.

When to plan your next international marketing activities?

While CanExport Grant Funding Program has been regularly put on hold, it’s expected to reopen in the fall or early winter. So, you should still plan your international market expansion activities, but for later this year.

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

[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.

Click here to find out more about grants in Canada

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.ca/eligibility to find out.

 

[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.

Click here to find out more about grants in Canada

 

CDAP Grant Recap & Alternate business funding

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.ca/eligibility to find out.

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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

  1. Be Canadian‐controlled private corporation (CCPC)
  2. Have a permanent establishment in Ontario
  3. 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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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.

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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.

  1. The Federal government will establish a new Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC)
  2. IRAP will be merged with CIC, and all ITAs will seamlessly transition to the new corporation
  3. There will be three program streams in the future:
    – Applied Research
    – Experimental Development
    – Technological Adaptation
  4. No major changes to the eligibility rules are expected
  5. The amount of funding will range from $50K to 5M, and up to 20M exceptionally
  6. The review process of smaller projects will be streamlined to enable faster decision making
  7. 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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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.

It will facilitate investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development. The fund supports business and organizations in advanced manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, information and communications technology (ICT), life sciences, and steel.

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.
  • Be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in Ontario.

Amount:

Types of support available:

1) Funding

Up to 15% of eligible project costs.

2) Loans

Up to 15% of funding, interest-free during the project period (up to four years). If you achieve your investment and job or upskilling targets, up to 30% of the loan may be forgiven.

3) Grants

Grants are available only for specific circumstances, up to 15% to a maximum of $500K.

Deadline

The AMIC grant extended its deadline to September 14, 2023.

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

January 2023 Deadlines & Intakes

Let us remind you about government funding deadlines and upcoming intakes in January 2023.

Deadlines

1. Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program will accept applications until 11:59 a.m. PST on January 12, 2023.

2. Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) is open for applications until 5 p.m. EST on January 17, 2023

3. Agri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream‘s deadline is 4:30 p.m. EST on January 26, 2023.

4. Skills Development Fund is open until January 31, 2023.

Upcoming Intakes

1. Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) and Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) will open for applications tomorrow, January 12, 2023, and will last until February 23, 2023.

2. Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream (AMIC) will open on February 1, 2023.

 

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Last Chance to Apply: Canada Summer Jobs

We hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season!

We would like to remind you that the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program will accept applications until 11:59 a.m. PST on January 12, 2023.

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizationsthe public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • project duration must be between 6 and 16 consecutive weeks
  • job hours must be full-time (30 to 40 hours per week)
  • the salary must respect minimum wage requirements in the given province or territory
  • must demonstrate health and safety practices implemented in the work environment
  • must demonstrate that hiring practices and the work environment are free of harassment and discrimination
  • must outline the supervision and mentoring plans for the youth and proposed job activities

Read more about the program and other criteria here.

 

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy closing in January

The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program will accept applications until 11:59 a.m. PST on January 12, 2023.

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizationsthe public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • project duration must be between 6 and 16 consecutive weeks
  • job hours must be full-time (30 to 40 hours per week)
  • the salary must respect minimum wage requirements in the given province or territory
  • must demonstrate health and safety practices implemented in the work environment
  • must demonstrate that hiring practices and the work environment are free of harassment and discrimination
  • must outline the supervision and mentoring plans for the youth and proposed job activities

Read more about the program and other criteria here.

 

Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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!

10th anniversary

[Webinar Invitation] Fall Grants Update from Fair Grant Writing & Easly

We would like to invite you to the upcoming webinar – Fall Grants Update from Fair Grant Writing & Easly | Finding Growth Capital During a Credit Crunch.

During this webinar, two high profile presenters – Igor Chigrin, Business Funding Expert at Fair Grant Writing, and Nikhil Rodye, Director of Channel Accounts at Easly, will share updates on the Canadian grants landscape and walk you through how you can access on-demand, non-dilutive capital during the credit crunch.

As traditional debt becomes more expensive and VC funding slows, Easly Advances on government grants and tax incentive refunds can play an ever more important role in your company’s capital stack.

Don’t let current market forces slow your growth. Access more capital with Fair Grant Writing and Easly.

Date and Time: Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 at 1:00 PM EDT.

Webinar Speakers:

Nikhil Rodye – Director of Channel Accounts at Easly.

Igor Chigrin – Business Funding Expert at Fair Grant Writing.

Click here to find out more about grants in Canada

Webinar Fair grants update

Can’t Attend the Webinar?

The recording will be posted on our YouTube channel within a week after the event – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj2IGeKBHIpCtnqnPKcI1lw.

Do you qualify for government funding? Check eligibility at https://www.fgwinc.ca/eligibility.

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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?

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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/eligibility to find out.

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Webinar: Information on Government Funding for Manufacturers and Supply Chain Partners

We would like to thank all of you for joining us at the “Information on Government Funding for Manufacturers and Supply Chain Partners webinar. It was an absolute success and we hope you got a chance to join us live.

In case you missed it – we have the presentation deck for your refence available here: Information on Government Funding for Manufacturers.

The information is valid as of June 29, 2022.

Need help with government funding programs and don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?

Fill out Eligibility Check form at http://www.fgwinc.ca/eligibility to find out.

COJG Funding and Lean Management Podcast

We are glad to inform you that Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is still open and accepting applications even though the maximum number of trainees is now limited to 25 per applicant. The program’s main goal is to help offset employee training costs by providing financial support to individual employers.

Key Highlights:
– Employers can get up to $10K in government support per person for training costs.
– Employers with 100 or more employees need to contribute 1/2 of the training costs. Small employers with less than 100 employees need to contribute 1/6 of training costs.
– Funding is available to small, medium and large businesses to train existing and new employees.

Speaking of the training, we would like to share a great resource for all of you trying to adopt and implement lean management principles. Here is the podcast with our friend Bill Neeve, president at Cycle Time Management Inc, “The Problem with Lean: Where You May Have Gone Wrong.” Bill shares lean management principles and how to make it work for your company. Please note that lean training is eligible for the Canada-Ontario Job Grant. Contact Bill here.

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://fairgrantwriting.ca/eligibility/ to find out.

Ontario Election Results and Government Funding

Last week Ontarians chose to preserve the PC’s majority government. In terms of the government grants and loans, it is a positive thing because there is consistency, and we can assume that the government will preserve most of the provincially-funded programs. Here are the top provincial funding programs to consider applying for.

  • Regional Development Programs, such as Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and Eastern Ontario Development Fund. These programs provide up to 15% of the expansion project expenses in grants or interest-free loans. The next intake is July 12 – August 25, 2022.
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream provides up to 15% of the capital expenses such as purchasing equipment and software to benefit the provincial manufacturing sector anywhere in the province. The next intake is August 10, 2022 – September 22, 2022.
  • Northern Ontario Heritage Fund programs incentivize businesses located in Northern Ontario to expand and improve productivity. The intake is open.
  • Canada-Ontario Job Grant accepts funding applications for the training of 25 or fewer employees from businesses across Ontario. It provides up to 83% of the training expenses. The program is being transferred to a different ministry, so some delays may occur.
  • Ontario Automotive Modernization Program provides 50% of the software, hardware and equipment expenses to the provincial automotive SMEs and will likely start accepting applications in the fall.
  • Canadian Agricultural Partnership‘s intake is expected in the late summer or fall of 2022.
  • We expect more programs and funding announcements closer to Fall’s Economic Update (usually October of every year).

Need help with applying for the 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.fgwinc.ca/eligibility to find out.

[Webinar Invitation] Government Help for Small and Medium Size Business

Our friends at the Canada Bulgaria Business Network are very happy to invite you to an evening webinar – Government Help for Small and Medium Size Business.

Two high profile presenters – Jayesh Menon and Igor Chigrin, will be sharing their knowledge, expertise and recent updates in government funding and grants that are currently available to start-ups, small and medium sized business. You will be introduced to assistance programs, grants and tax incentives offered by all three levels of government in Canada and have a chance to ask your questions and make valuable connections.

Date and Time: Monday, May 30th, 2022 at 6:00 PM EDT

Seminar Speakers:

Jayesh Menon – Senior Advisor – Investment Attraction, City of Brampton

Igor Chigrin – Business Funding Expert at Fair Grant Writing.

Please register by email at: info@canadabulgaria.com.

You don’t have to be a member of Network to attend.

Make sure to share this event with your network!

[Webinar Invitation] Government Funding for Alberta and BC Businesses

Did you know that the Canadian businesses can leverage approximately $30 billion from various federal and provincial government grants to offset the costs of strategic business expansion and meet the demands of a highly competitive landscape? These funds are available for hiring, skills training, equipment modernization, export development, software implementation, research and business expansion.

Join ASCM BC for a ZOOM Session featuring Igor Chigrin from Fair Grant Writing to learn about:

  • The various funds available to Alberta and BC-based businesses
  • Who qualifies to receive government funding
  • How to apply and secure these funds
  • Funding programs for technology projects

Although all types of businesses can take advantage of some government funding programs, the majority of those programs are reserved for the manufacturing, technology, agri-food and supply chain businesses.

Date and Time: Monday, June 27th, 2022 12:00 PM PST

Seminar Speaker: Igor Chigrin – Business Funding Expert at Fair Grant Writing.

Click here to find out more about grants in Canada

Can’t Attend the Webinar?

Can’t attend the webinar? The recording will be posted on our YouTube channel within a week after the event – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj2IGeKBHIpCtnqnPKcI1lw.

Do you qualify for government funding? Check eligibility at https://www.fgwinc.ca/eligibility.

How to Get Wage Subsidy in 2022?

If you create jobs and need to hire someone under the age of 30, you can get two types of wage subsidies.

1. Student Work Placement Program provides $5K-$7K towards a student’s salary when you hire a student who will return to school after the internship. Multiple industry organizations deliver this program depending on your industry. The full list of organizations that administer the funding on behalf of the government of Canada is here https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/student-work-placements-wage-subsidies.html.

2. Digital Skills for Youth provides $10K-32K towards post-graduate student’s salary when you hire a student for digital jobs, including but not limited to automation, coding, artificial intelligence, etc. The list of the delivery organizations that administer the funding on behalf of the government of Canada https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/digital-skills-youth-program/en/delivery-organizations-and-their-internship-opportunities.

You need to contact the delivery organization that serves your industry or is located close to your business and use their application portals to apply. You need to have a job description to apply. Usually, the application process is straightforward, and the decisions are made within a week. This time of the year is good to apply because all the above organizations have just received the new funds from the 2022 budget. So, don’t wait until the funding runs out.

Need help with applying for the 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/eligibility to find out.

What’s in the 2022 Federal Budget for You?

The Federal 2022 is finally out and I am happy to share some of the updates with you. I will only focus on everything related to the funding for businesses.

  • Regional Development Agencies’ programs got a boost. It means that the programs such as Strategic Innovation FundJobs & Growth Fund etc. will be continued through this new fiscal year.
  • There will be dedicated funding support for the tourism sector but appears to be no more emergency support for the other sectors.
  • Canada Small Business Financing Program will be enhanced, but was also already promised in the 2021 budget and not delivered
  • A new Canada Growth Fund will be established to “attract substantial private sector investment to help meet important national economic policy goals:
    1. To reduce emissions and contribute to achieving Canada’s climate goals;
    2. To diversify our economy and bolster our exports by investing in the growth of low-carbon industries and new technologies across new and traditional sectors of Canada’s industrial base; and
    3. To support the restructuring of critical supply chains in areas important to Canada’s future prosperity – including our natural resources sector.”
  • A new Canadian Innovation and Investment Agency will be established. The agency that will specialize in boosting private-sector R&D through funding.
  • Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Credit program will be reviewed, but no changes are promised so far – Only review.
  • Supercluster programs renew and get additional boosts.
  • Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs will be renewed but the intakes may not start until 2023. The budget is a bit unclear about it.
  • CanExport program will be continued and gets an annual budget enough for approximately 140 applicants per year. So don’t delay applying for the program.
  • National Research Council will be modernized but the budget says nothing about its Industrial Research Assistance Program.
  • Agricultural Clean Technology Program and On-Farm Climate Action Funds will be extended.
  • New tax credits are promised for purchasing net-zero technologies, battery storage solutions, clean hydrogen and carbon capture technologies.

Need help with applying for the 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/eligibility to find out.

 

Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund

Amount: up to 20% of Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $3 million per applicant

Get Started

Federal Budget Delay & Energy Rebate Program Updates

This is an unusual year since both the provincial and federal budgets will be late. The Feds promised to release the budget during the first weeks of April, while the province will likely release its budget in May. Until then, the business as usual. All Federal funding programs accept applications. We will keep you posted on changes coming with the new budgets.

In the meantime, please, read here about the changes in Save On Energy Program, the provincial energy savings rebate. These changes are effective on April 8, 2022.

The budget delays should not discourage you from actively searching for funding for your business because there are Federal government funding programs, and some provincial grants are still available.

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/eligibility to find out.

What the new Digital Adoption Program is all about

You may have heard that the Federal government launched the Canada Digital Adoption Program recently. It is a combination of a grant and an interest-free loan for the following activities:

1) Adoption of e-commerce tools by customer-facing businesses (e.g. retail, hospitality) up to $2,400 per applicant

2) Technology assessment for small-to-medium-sized businesses (1-499 employees) to complete advanced technology assessment by one of the approved consultants – up to $15K per applicant

3) Purchasing and implementation of the technology (e.g. software, hardware) recommended as a result of the assessment – interest-free loan up to $100K

As we learned more about the program last week, we wanted to share some technical nuances with you:

  • You need to create a GCKey account for your business and complete a 41-question technology self-assessment before applying for the grant.
  • The grant application form is very basic and there is not much to write, to be honest.
  • You can’t choose an approved technology consultant unless your grant application is approved.
  • You can’t apply for the interest-free loan unless the approved technology consultant completes the digital technology assessment.
  • You can apply for the interest-free loan only to purchase the technology recommended by the approved consultant. Whatever you selected yourself doesn’t count.
  • The program bans contingency fees (% of the funding).

Based on all the above, we will offer our clients a program walkthrough assistance to help them to go through every step of the CDAP program via screen share. 

Fill out Eligibility Check form at http://www.fgwinc.ca/eligibility to find out what other government funding programs your business may qualify for.

The Digital Adoption Program is open

We’ve been waiting for this news since October 2021 and almost lost hope. But, the Federal government finally launched the Canada Digital Adoption Program.

It is a combination of a grant and an interest-free loan for the following activities:

1) Adoption of e-commerce tools by customer-facing businesses (e.g. retail, hospitality) up to $2,400 per applicant

2) Technology assessment for small-to-medium-sized businesses (1-499 employees) to complete advanced technology assessment by one of the approved consultants – up to $15K per applicant

3) Purchasing and implementation of the technology (e.g. software, hardware) recommended as a result of the assessment – interest-free loan up to $100K

I will be reading the fine print over the weekend and have more information next week. But you can also visit the program’s official page here.

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/eligibility to find out.