# 15 Canadian Business Grants Open Now (June 2026) Source: https://grantops.ai/en/blog/top-canadian-business-grants-june-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-14 ## The 15 Best Canadian Business Grants Open in June 2026 Summer is when many Canadian funding programs ramp up. Regional development agencies announce new rounds, continuous-intake programs still have budget remaining, and several research-focused programs align their timelines with the academic calendar. June is one of the strongest months to apply. This monthly roundup covers the 15 best Canadian business grants and funding programs currently accepting applications in June 2026. For each program, we break down who administers it, how much funding is available, what expenses it covers, who qualifies, deadline information, and why it matters for your business. If you have never applied for a grant before, read our [guide to writing a winning grant application in Canada](/en/blog/how-to-write-grant-application-canada/) first. Bookmark this page. We update it every month with the latest programs, deadlines, and changes. **Want to skip the manual search?** [GrantOps AI matches your business to every program you qualify for in 60 seconds, free](/en/application/). --- ## Federal Grants Open in June 2026 ### 1. NRC-IRAP, Up to $10 Million **Administered by:** National Research Council of Canada **Funding amount:** $10,000 to $10 million depending on project scope. Standard projects typically receive $50,000 to $500,000 in non-repayable contributions. **What it covers:** R&D salaries, contractor fees, materials, and supplies for projects involving genuine technological uncertainty. IRAP also provides advisory services through Industrial Technology Advisors. **Who qualifies:** Incorporated Canadian for-profit SMEs with 500 or fewer employees, conducting R&D in Canada. Your project must address a technological uncertainty that cannot be resolved using existing knowledge. **Deadline:** Continuous intake year-round. June is a strong time to initiate contact, as ITAs are actively reviewing projects ahead of the fall funding cycle. **Why it matters:** [IRAP is Canada's flagship R&D funding program](/en/irap/). If your business is developing anything new, whether software, hardware, biotech, cleantech, or advanced manufacturing, IRAP should be the first program on your list. The non-repayable contributions and the advisory relationship with your ITA make this program uniquely valuable. [Read our complete IRAP funding guide for 2026](/en/irap/) --- ### 2. CanExport SMEs, Up to $50,000 **Administered by:** Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada) **Funding amount:** Up to $50,000 per market and per application, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses. **What it covers:** Travel to target markets, trade show participation, market research, legal and IP advisory fees abroad, product adaptation for international markets, and in-market business development. **Who qualifies:** Canadian SMEs with fewer than 500 full-time employees and annual revenue between $100,000 and $100 million. You must be targeting a market where you currently have little to no sales (generally under 10% of total revenue). **Deadline:** Continuous intake on a rolling basis. Budget is allocated until exhausted, so earlier applications have a higher chance of approval. **Why it matters:** CanExport is one of the most straightforward federal grants. The turnaround is typically 2-4 months. If you are attending international conferences or adapting your product for a foreign market this summer, apply now. [Learn more about CanExport and check eligibility](/en/canexport/) --- ### 3. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) > **Program status (verified Oct 2026):** SDTC no longer accepts applications; its programming moved into [NRC IRAP's Clean Technology stream](https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/nrc-irap-support-clean-technology). Kept for reference. **Administered by:** Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), following the 2024 restructuring under the Canada Growth Fund umbrella **Funding amount:** $500,000 to $5 million in non-repayable and conditionally repayable contributions. **What it covers:** Development and demonstration of clean technology solutions addressing climate change, clean air, clean water, and clean soil. Eligible costs include R&D, prototyping, pilot projects, and demonstration. **Who qualifies:** Canadian companies developing pre-commercial clean technologies with clear environmental benefits and a viable path to commercialization. Partnerships with research institutions strengthen applications. **Deadline:** Intake rounds are announced periodically. The spring 2026 window is expected to remain open through June. **Why it matters:** SDTC funding validates your clean technology in the market and often triggers follow-on investment from private capital. The federal government's continued commitment to clean growth means budgets remain substantial. --- ### 4. FedDev Ontario, Up to $10 Million **Administered by:** Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario **Funding amount:** $250,000 to $10 million depending on the stream. The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream typically funds $500,000 to $5 million. **What it covers:** Innovation, commercialization, business scale-up, and productivity improvement in southern Ontario. Eligible expenses include capital equipment, salaries, marketing, and technology adoption. **Who qualifies:** SMEs, not-for-profits, and post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario. The project must create jobs, drive innovation, or strengthen regional economic capacity. **Deadline:** Several streams accept applications on a continuous basis. June 2026 is an active period as the agency allocates fiscal year funds. **Why it matters:** FedDev Ontario is one of the most well-funded regional development agencies in Canada. If your business is in southern Ontario and you are scaling or commercializing, this should be a priority. --- ### 5. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Up to $3 Million **Administered by:** Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency **Funding amount:** Up to $500,000 through the Business Development Program. The Atlantic Innovation Fund supports larger projects up to $3 million. **What it covers:** Business development, innovation, trade, and community economic development across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. **Who qualifies:** Businesses, social enterprises, and not-for-profits operating in Atlantic Canada. Projects must demonstrate clear economic benefit to the region. **Deadline:** Continuous intake for most programs. June is an excellent time to apply, as ACOA deploys summer funding for projects that can begin promptly. **Why it matters:** ACOA officers work directly with applicants to develop proposals, making the process more personalized than many federal programs. --- ### 6. Western Economic Diversification (WD) / PrairiesCan, Up to $5 Million **Administered by:** Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), covering Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba **Funding amount:** $50,000 to $5 million depending on the stream. The Business Scale-up and Productivity Program is the primary vehicle. **What it covers:** Business growth, innovation, productivity, and clean technology commercialization in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. **Who qualifies:** SMEs, not-for-profits, and post-secondary institutions in the Prairie provinces. Projects must demonstrate job creation or economic diversification. **Deadline:** Continuous intake for most streams. PrairiesCan is actively deploying fiscal 2026-27 budgets through the summer. **Why it matters:** PrairiesCan is mandated to support economic diversification beyond traditional resource sectors. If your Prairie-based business is in technology, clean energy, agri-food, or advanced manufacturing, this agency aligns well with your sector. --- ### 7. PacifiCan, Up to $5 Million **Administered by:** Pacific Economic Development Canada **Funding amount:** $50,000 to $5 million depending on the stream. The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream and the Inclusive Growth stream are the main channels. **What it covers:** Business scale-up, innovation, clean growth, and inclusive economic development in British Columbia. Eligible expenses include equipment, technology, marketing, R&D, and commercialization. **Who qualifies:** BC-based SMEs, not-for-profits, Indigenous businesses, and post-secondary institutions. Projects must contribute to BC's economic growth or innovation capacity. **Deadline:** Continuous intake with processing times typically 60-90 business days. **Why it matters:** PacifiCan is active in supporting clean technology, Indigenous economic development, and rural BC communities. The regional focus means less competition than national programs. --- ### 8. Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), Up to $100,000 > **Program status (verified Oct 2026):** CDAP concluded March 31, 2025 and no longer accepts applications. Kept for reference. **Administered by:** Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), with the loan component through BDC **Funding amount:** $15,000 micro-grant plus an interest-free BDC loan of up to $100,000 for implementation. **What it covers:** The grant funds a digital adoption plan with a certified advisor. The loan funds implementation, including e-commerce, cloud migration, cybersecurity, CRM, and ERP systems. **Who qualifies:** Canadian-owned businesses or non-profits with 1 to 499 employees and annual revenue between $500,000 and $100 million. **Deadline:** Open in June 2026, but intake may close without notice once the annual allocation is committed. Apply early. **Why it matters:** The combination of a non-repayable grant and an interest-free loan makes CDAP one of the most accessible digital transformation programs available. --- ## Research and Talent Programs Open in June 2026 ### 9. NSERC Alliance Grants **Administered by:** Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada **Funding amount:** NSERC matches or exceeds your industry contribution. Typical industry contributions range from $20,000 to $500,000 per year. **What it covers:** Collaborative research between academic researchers and industry partners. Eligible costs include research personnel, materials, equipment, and knowledge transfer. **Who qualifies:** Any Canadian business partnering with an NSERC-eligible researcher at a Canadian university or college. The research must involve natural sciences or engineering. **Deadline:** Continuous submission year-round. June is ideal because it aligns with the academic planning cycle for September project launches. **Why it matters:** Your company defines the research problem, a university team works on it, and NSERC covers a significant portion of the expense. This is one of the best ways to de-risk early-stage R&D. --- ### 10. Mitacs Accelerate, Up to $60,000 per Intern **Administered by:** Mitacs **Funding amount:** $15,000 per four-month internship unit (Mitacs covers $7,500, your company covers $7,500). Projects typically involve 1-4 units ($15,000 to $60,000). **What it covers:** Research internships where graduate students or postdoctoral fellows work on your industry-defined research problems, spending at least 50% of their time at your organization. **Who qualifies:** Any Canadian organization partnering with a professor and graduate student at a Canadian university. No industry or size restrictions. **Deadline:** Continuous intake with 4-6 week processing. June applications position interns to start in September. **Why it matters:** Many companies use Mitacs as a pipeline for full-time hires, testing the fit with a graduate student before making a permanent offer. --- ### 11. IRAP Youth (Digital Technology Internship Program) **Administered by:** National Research Council of Canada, through the NRC-IRAP program **Funding amount:** Wage subsidies covering 50-80% of the intern's salary for up to 12 months. **What it covers:** Salaries for recent post-secondary graduates (aged 15-30) working on digital technology, IT, or R&D projects within your company. **Who qualifies:** Canadian SMEs that are current or past IRAP clients. The intern must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, aged 15-30, and a recent graduate. **Deadline:** Intakes open periodically. June is a key window as employers prepare for summer and fall hiring. **Why it matters:** You get a subsidized hire to work on R&D or digital projects. This complements an active IRAP project, expanding your team while the program covers most of the cost. [Learn more about IRAP programs](/en/irap/) --- ### 12. Canada Job Grant, Up to $10,000 per Employee **Administered by:** Provincial and territorial governments (federally funded) **Funding amount:** Up to $10,000 per employee. The government covers two-thirds, the employer covers one-third. **What it covers:** Tuition, student fees, textbooks, and exam fees at eligible third-party training providers. **Who qualifies:** Any Canadian business training current or future employees. The training must lead to a credential, certification, or meaningful skill upgrade. **Deadline:** Varies by province. Most accept continuous applications, but annual allocations may be exhausted before fiscal year-end. **Why it matters:** If you are upskilling your workforce this summer, the Canada Job Grant reduces training costs by 67%. Particularly valuable for cloud certifications, cybersecurity credentials, and AI training. --- ## Specialized Programs Open in June 2026 ### 13. Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WAGE), Up to $100,000 **Administered by:** Various federal delivery partners, coordinated through ISED **Funding amount:** Micro-grants of $10,000 to $25,000, and larger contributions up to $100,000 through the Ecosystem Fund. Loan components available through BDC. **What it covers:** Business growth for women-owned and women-led businesses, including market development, technology adoption, scaling, mentorship, and networking. **Who qualifies:** Businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, or where at least 51% of the management team identifies as women. **Deadline:** New funding windows have been opening in Q2 2026, making June an active application period. **Why it matters:** For women-led businesses, these programs offer funding with less competition than general programs, plus ecosystem supports (mentoring, networking, training) that add value beyond the financial contribution. --- ### 14. Clean Growth Hub > **Program status (verified Oct 2026):** the Clean Growth Hub concluded March 31, 2026; its page remains as a resources page. Kept for reference. **Administered by:** A multi-department federal initiative involving ISED, Natural Resources Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada **Funding amount:** The Hub connects businesses to programs worth $50,000 to $50 million, including SDTC, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the Net Zero Accelerator. **What it covers:** Navigation support for businesses developing or adopting clean technologies. The Hub identifies which federal programs match your project and helps you prepare stronger applications. **Who qualifies:** Any Canadian business working on clean technology. No size or revenue restrictions. **Deadline:** Year-round. Contact the Hub at any time for a consultation. **Why it matters:** Clean technology funding is spread across dozens of programs. The Hub acts as your single point of contact, helping you navigate the complexity. Not a funding program itself, but a force multiplier for accessing clean tech funding. --- ### 15. Stacking Strategy: Combining Programs for Maximum Funding The most effective approach is combining multiple programs into a coordinated funding stack. Here is how a typical June 2026 stack might look for a technology company: - **IRAP** funds your core R&D project ($50,000 to $500,000) - **NSERC Alliance** adds a university research partner (matched funding from $20,000+) - **Mitacs Accelerate** brings in a graduate student ($15,000 to $60,000) - **IRAP Youth** covers a junior hire for digital technology work (wage subsidy) - **Canada Job Grant** funds training for your existing team ($10,000 per employee) - **CanExport** supports international commercialization ($50,000) This combination is fully compliant with stacking rules because each program covers different expenses. The total funding can exceed $300,000 to $700,000 for a single company in a single year. All of these programs qualify as [non-dilutive funding for Canadian startups](/en/blog/non-dilutive-funding-canadian-startups/), meaning you keep 100% of your equity. --- ## How to Find Every Grant You Qualify For The 15 programs above are just a starting point. At any given time, the GrantOps app tracks **6,000+ federal, provincial, and municipal funding programs** in Canada, 4,200+ of them currently open. The challenge most businesses face is not eligibility, it is discovery. Here is why manual searching does not work: - **Programs are scattered** across dozens of federal departments, 13 provincial and territorial governments, and hundreds of municipal and regional agencies - **Eligibility rules are complex** and vary by industry, company size, location, revenue, project type, and dozens of other factors - **Deadlines shift constantly**, programs open, close, pause intake, and restart without centralized notification - **Stacking opportunities are invisible**, combining multiple programs (e.g., IRAP + SR&ED + provincial credits) can double or triple your total funding, but discovering these combinations requires expertise across all programs ### The GrantOps Approach [GrantOps](/en/programs/) solves this by using AI to match your company profile against every active program in Canada, automatically. Here is how it works: 1. **Answer a few questions** about your business, industry, location, size, revenue, project type 2. **AI scans 6,000+ tracked programs** and ranks them by relevance to your company 3. **See your matches instantly**, with funding amounts, eligibility details, and deadlines 4. **Apply through the platform**, GrantOps pre-fills your applications and generates the documentation you need The average GrantOps user discovers 7-12 programs they qualify for that they did not know about. That represents tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential funding. [Start free — match your business to 6,000+ tracked programs](https://app.grantops.ai/auth?mode=signup) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Business Grants ### What is the easiest Canadian business grant to apply for? CanExport is widely considered the most straightforward federal grant, with a fully online application and clear criteria. The Canada Job Grant and CDAP are also accessible. For R&D companies, IRAP has a well-structured process, though it requires more documentation. The key is matching the right program to your business, which is [what GrantOps automates](/en/application/). ### Can I apply for both federal and provincial grants at the same time? Yes. Federal and provincial programs operate independently, and stacking them is one of the most effective strategies. You can claim both federal SR&ED and a provincial R&D credit on the same expenditures, and use IRAP for R&D while using PacifiCan or FedDev Ontario for commercialization. The only restriction is that combined government funding generally cannot exceed 75-100% of total project costs. ### What are regional development agencies and how do they help my business? Canada has six regional development agencies: ACOA (Atlantic), FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan (Prairies), PacifiCan (BC), CED (Quebec), and CanNor (North). Each delivers federally funded programs tailored to its region's economic priorities, providing non-repayable contributions, repayable loans, and advisory services. They are often less competitive than national programs because the applicant pool is limited to businesses in each region. ### How much funding can a small business realistically get in a year? A typical Canadian SME can access $100,000 to $500,000 per year across multiple programs. R&D companies can reach $1 million or more by combining IRAP, SR&ED, and provincial credits. The key is applying to programs that cover different cost categories, for example IRAP for R&D, CanExport for international marketing, CDAP for digital adoption, and a Canada Job Grant for training. ### Do I need a consultant to apply for government grants? No. Programs like CanExport and Canada Job Grant have straightforward online applications. More complex programs like IRAP benefit from experience, but consultants are not required. GrantOps provides AI-powered application support that helps you identify programs and generate documentation, for a published subscription plus an 8% success fee. ### What happens if my grant application is rejected? Rejection is not permanent. Most programs allow you to reapply. The most common reasons are misalignment with program objectives, insufficient detail on outcomes, or eligibility issues that can be addressed. Ask for feedback, revise, and resubmit. Programs like IRAP will work with you through your ITA to strengthen your proposal before formal submission. --- ## What Is Next: July 2026 Preview Several major programs are expected to announce updates or open new intake windows in July 2026: - **Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)**, Large-scale projects ($10M+) are expected to see new calls for proposals in the clean technology and life sciences streams - **AgriInnovate Canada**, A new intake window for agricultural innovation and food processing projects is anticipated for mid-summer - **Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)**, New federal department challenges are posted on a rolling basis, with several expected in July - **Fall IRAP cycle**, Companies that engage with IRAP in June and July position themselves well for fall project approvals and funding Subscribe to the GrantOps blog or [create a free account](/en/application/) to get notified when new programs open. --- ## Stop Searching. Start Getting Funded. You just read about 15 programs. There are 5,485 more. Searching manually is not a strategy, it is a gamble. **GrantOps AI matches your business with every grant, tax credit, and funding program you qualify for in 60 seconds.** No consultants. Published pricing plus an 8% success fee. No months of paperwork. [Find your grants now — start free, no credit card](https://app.grantops.ai/auth?mode=signup) **Related resources:** - [Browse all 6,000+ tracked funding programs](/en/programs/) - [IRAP Funding Guide 2026](/en/irap/) - [Non-Dilutive Funding for Canadian Startups](/en/blog/non-dilutive-funding-canadian-startups/) - [How to Write a Grant Application in Canada](/en/blog/how-to-write-grant-application-canada/) - [Start free with GrantOps — no credit card](https://app.grantops.ai/auth?mode=signup) --- Try GrantOps: https://app.grantops.ai/auth?mode=signup (free to start, no credit card). Plans: Starter $99 CAD/month, Professional $499 CAD/month, plus an 8% success fee. Pricing: https://grantops.ai/en/pricing/