Grant for Undertaking R&D with Foreign Businesses

CanExport Innovation advertises 75% up to $75,000 in grant funding for businesses and not-for-profits to develop strategic international partnerships related to research and development. Eligible costs include travel, accommodations, legal fees and other expenses necessary for meeting and securing potential international partners. This program does not fund research, commercial business development or other costs that are not directly related to meeting collaborating with new partners.

Canada Summer Jobs Accepting Applications Until February 24

The Canada Summer Jobs program offers government funding for businesses with less than 50 employees, as well as not-for-profit and public sector organizations, to hire new employees. Businesses may receive subsidies for up to 50% of the hourly minimum wage per new employee; not-for-profit organizations may receive up to 100%. Positions must be full-time (30 to 40 hours/week), last a minimum of 6 consecutive weeks, begin after May 11 and end by August 28, 2020. Eligible new workers are Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected refugees (as defined under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) aged 15 to 30. Additional government funding may be provided to accommodate the hiring of an employee with a disability.

Program Supports Job Creation and Economic Growth

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SODF) contributes 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs incurred over a 3 to 4 year period. Businesses are required to have 3 years of financial statements and be (or plan to be) located in one of the following Southwestern Ontario counties: Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo and Wellington.

Applicants in rural communities (populations under 100,000) must have at least 5 employees and may receive up to $500,000 as a grant. Rural businesses are required to make investments of no less than $200,000.

Applicants based in communities with populations of over 100,000 may receive 15% up to $5 million as an interest-free loan. These businesses must have 10 or more employees and plan to invest at least $500,000. Up to 30% of the loan is forgivable to a maximum of $500,000 if the applicant achieves its hiring and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (i.e. made by companies without a current presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansions or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant.

Businesses with 15 or more employees must create 5 jobs by project completion. Companies with fewer employees are required to increase their workforces by 30%. Only costs incurred after approval are eligible for funding. Next application intake deadline is January 20, 2020.

Support for Increased Productivity and Innovation

The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program offers 4-year interest-free loans of up to 30% for projects with costs of $3 million or more. Up to 50% of the loan may be forgiven if project job creation and investment targets are reached. Supported costs include equipment purchases, building retrofits, export marketing, R&D, training, plus project-related wages. Funding is available for Ontario wood product manufacturers and processors such as pulp & paper mills, saw mills, secondary manufacturers (e.g. furniture, cupboard and stair case makers) and bio-economy projects. Projects are assessed on number of jobs to be created and overall benefits for the sector and Ontario. Loan repayment rate is 3% plus Ontario’s cost of borrowing. Next deadline to submit a pre-proposal is March 20, 2020.

Funding Still Available!

The Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) offers grants of 25% up to $250,000 for businesses to reduce energy usage, costs and/or GHG emissions. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to:

• Retrofitting, Upgrading and Improving Processes, Transportation and Buildings (e.g. energy efficient heating systems and process equipment, vehicle retrofits)
• Adopting New Electricity, Energy and Fuel Production Systems (e.g. solar photovoltaic, wind energy and micro-hydro systems)
• Waste Management (e.g. efficient use of inputs, reducing waste)

Funding is provided for expenditures such as:

• Capital Costs (e.g. equipment, materials, supplies)
• Salaries and Benefits
• Contracted Services (e.g. audits, engineering)
• Other Direct Project Costs (e.g. travel, licensing/permits, training)

Applicant companies must have less than 500 employees and be operating in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan or New Brunswick. Up to 5 applications may be submitted by one company, however total funding from CAIF will not exceed $250,000.  To be considered for funding, businesses must be requesting at least $20,000 for projects ending no later than March 31, 2021.

Intake Opens December 2!

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SODF) contributes 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs incurred over a 3 to 4 year period. Businesses are required to have 3 years of financial statements and be (or plan to be) located in one of the following Southwestern Ontario counties: (Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo and Wellington)

Applicants in rural communities (populations under 100,000) must have at least 5 employees and may receive up to $500,000 as a grant. Rural businesses are required to make investments of no less than $200,000.

Applicants based in communities with populations of over 100,000 may receive 15% up to $5 million as an interest-free loan. These businesses must have 10 or more employees and plan to invest at least $500,000. Up to 30% of the loan is forgivable to a maximum of $500,000 if the applicant achieves its hiring and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (companies without a presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansions or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant.

Businesses with 15 or more employees must create 5 jobs by project completion. Companies with fewer employees are required to increase their workforce by 30%. Only costs incurred after approval are eligible for funding. Next application intake opens December 2, 2019 with a deadline of January 22, 2020.