ACOA Funding Programs 2026: Atlantic Canada Grants and Loans, RAII Deadline November 20

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is the federal regional development agency for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. It funds small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits, municipalities, Indigenous governments and post-secondary institutions through eleven programs and initiatives that were open on November 8, 2026. The soonest deadline is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) call for proposals: expressions of interest close on November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT), 12 days from now, and every project must request a repayable contribution of at least $1 million. The expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) pays up to $2 million in non-repayable liquidity assistance to tariff-hit businesses with $1 million or more in annual revenue, within a $20 million total cap. The Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream pays up to $1 million per community infrastructure project on continuous intake. Every date and figure in this guide was read from the agency's official pages on November 8, 2026, and the sources are linked at the end.

This guide walks through each open program in order of urgency, then the seven programs ACOA has closed, the national initiatives it delivers, how it compares with the other six regional development agencies, and the steps to apply through the MyACOA portal. If you would rather not assemble the application yourself, GrantOps builds and files it from your own records.

ACOA Funding at a Glance

Deadlines as of November 8, 2026

Only one ACOA program has a printed closing date. Two others have funding-period end dates that limit when money can be spent.

Programs with no stated closing date:

• Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream: "ACOA accepts applications to the BCSF Local Impact stream on a continuous intake basis until all available funding has been committed." The stream runs from 2026-27 to 2029-30.
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative: no application deadline is printed. The page says "Apply online through our MyACOA Client Portal."
• Regional Defence Investment Initiative: no intake dates. ACOA is delivering its $38.2 million "over three years, starting in 2025-26".
• Business Development Program, REGI, Innovative Communities Fund, Economic Development Initiative, Community Futures, ATIGS and the NICI Fund: badged "Open" on the programs index, with no deadline language on their pages.

The RTRI and RDII have no deadline today, but each has a fixed envelope. Our November 2026 grants roundup tracks changes to these windows.

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII): Expressions of Interest Close November 20, 2026

The official name is "Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in Atlantic Canada". ACOA's page states: "ACOA is accepting expressions of interest through an Atlantic-wide Call for Proposals under the RAII." The call launched on October 13, 2026, the same day the federal government expanded the national initiative. In ACOA's words, "an additional $500 million over five years is available through the expanded RAII, bringing total federal funding for the initiative to $700 million." The October 13, 2026 news release says Atlantic Canada is receiving nearly $40 million of the new money, and that ACOA is delivering over $55 million under RAII in total.

This is a competitive call, not a rolling intake. ACOA's FAQ says: "Expressions of Interest will be assessed and ranked against common evaluation criteria. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application." Southern Ontario businesses face a different intake run by FedDev Ontario, covered in our FedDev Ontario RAII guide.

Who can apply

ACOA's eligibility sentence is short: "Eligible applicants are Atlantic Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses that meet existing eligibility requirements under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program." The FAQ adds that the call is open to businesses that have worked with ACOA before and to those that have not.

Three clarifications from the FAQ matter:

• AI start-ups "may be eligible under the AI Commercialization and Scale-Up stream if they are developing, commercializing, or scaling Canadian AI products and services." Projects are generally expected to involve technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher.
• Indigenous-led businesses are eligible, and "Indigenous recipients may also be eligible for enhanced levels of support under program authorities."
• Projects from all eligible sectors may be considered. ACOA names manufacturing, agriculture and agri-food, transportation and logistics, health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, oceans and aquaculture, seafood processing and clean technology as particularly relevant.

ACOA does not state a minimum number of years in operation or a headcount test for this call.

Who should not apply: not-for-profit organizations. The FAQ is explicit: "Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible applicants under this Call for Proposals." The programs index still tags the initiative "For non-profits", but the FAQ is the newer and more specific statement, and it directs non-profits to contact ACOA about other funding. Businesses whose project needs less than $1 million should look at REGI or the BDP instead.

How much and on what terms

• Minimum request: "The funding contribution requested must be a minimum of $1M." The FAQ repeats it: "Projects must request a minimum funding contribution of $1 million."
• Maximum: not stated. The FAQ says only that "Funding levels will vary based on project scope, applicant circumstances, available funding, and program requirements."
• Type: "Funding is provided as a repayable contribution." Repayment provisions "will be discussed with applicants as part of the application and due diligence process."
• Share of eligible costs: not stated on the program page, the FAQ or the news release.
• Interest: not stated on the RAII pages. The parent REGI page describes its repayable contributions as "unsecured and interest-free", but the RAII pages do not repeat that wording, so confirm it with your program officer.

What it pays for

The call has two streams.

Stream 1: AI adoption. Adopting and integrating AI to improve productivity, competitiveness, growth and resilience. ACOA lists AI implementation, automation, predictive analytics, operational improvements, data modernization and process optimization. Organizational readiness counts too: change management, workforce awareness, and cybersecurity or responsible-AI measures.

Stream 2: AI commercialization and scale-up. Validating, commercializing, deploying and scaling Canadian-developed AI. ACOA lists technology demonstrations, pilot deployments, product refinement, customer validation, market readiness and first-commercial-sale activities, plus customer acquisition, procurement readiness, IP development, supply chain integration and scaling Canadian AI firms.

What the call does not support, verbatim: "routine software purchases; standard ERP implementations; general IT modernization projects; training-only initiatives; or projects where AI is not central to the proposed outcomes".

ACOA describes a strong project as one with a clearly defined business problem or market opportunity, an identified AI solution, access to the required data, management commitment, the capacity to implement or commercialize, and measurable business outcomes. Expressions of interest are scored on strategic alignment with RAII and Canada's AI Strategy, productivity and growth potential, AI readiness and organizational capacity, commercialization and scale-up potential, financial viability and market validation, operational efficiency and resilience, responsible AI, privacy, cybersecurity and data governance, and expected economic and ecosystem benefits to Atlantic Canada.

Deadline and how to apply

The program page states: "The call for proposals closes on November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT)." The FAQ lists the launch as October 13, 2026 and the "Expression of Interest Deadline" as "November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT)". ACOA prints ADT. Do not count on any later cut-off, and submit during the business day if you can.

The process has three stages:

1. Submit an expression of interest through ACOA's online EOI form. In ACOA's words, "download the EOI template, complete it, and upload the completed form along with any supporting documents".
2. Competitive assessment after the deadline, in which every expression of interest is ranked against the criteria above.
3. Invitation to submit a full application. "Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full funding application through MyACOA."

ACOA adds a caution: "Receipt of an EOI does not constitute approval for funding." Questions go to the ACOA Contact Network at acn-rca@acoa-apeca.gc.ca or 1-833-514-3568. Our program page for the ACOA Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative tracks the status.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI): Liquidity Assistance and Pivot Projects

The official name is "Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada". It is "part of the broader Government of Canada tariff response plan", and ACOA's page notes that "Together, RDAs are delivering $3.45 billion." ACOA's homepage announces the expansion: "ACOA is now delivering expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) help for more businesses operating in Atlantic Canada impacted by tariffs, including those facing liquidity pressures." The national picture is in our Regional Tariff Response Initiative guide.

Who can apply

A business must meet all three base conditions:

• "be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in Atlantic Canada"
• "have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your company's last two fiscal years"
• "have been viable prior to tariffs"

It must also show tariff impact in at least one way: operating in a sector impacted by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs, directly or indirectly, or in another tariff-impacted sector, having "at least 25% or more revenue coming from goods that are ultimately exported to the U.S.", or showing a negative effect such as cost increases, supply chain disruption, or loss of revenue or customers. Liquidity assistance also requires a demonstrated liquidity need.

Two service categories are named as eligible when they sit in an exporter's value chain: transportation businesses tied to forestry exporters, and professional, scientific, technical, warehousing or logistics services that are critical to a manufacturing exporter's tariff-impacted supply chain. "Support is also available for not-for-profit organizations in Atlantic Canada whose primary focus is to support businesses."

Who should not apply: "retail businesses, businesses providing local consumer services (e.g., hotels, restaurants, utilities, healthcare, recreation), and oil and gas extraction and construction services generally are not eligible", along with non-profits seeking liquidity support for their own operating expenses and businesses that cannot demonstrate tariff exposure.

Businesses under $1 million in revenue are not turned away outright. ACOA says it "will continue to work with businesses to understand their circumstances and needs, and to explore potential support options through RTRI focusing on those critical to the relevant value chain, sector or local economy."

How much and on what terms

Two caps sit over the tiers. "A business may receive up to a maximum of $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, consisting of up to $2 million in liquidity assistance and up to $1 million for a non-repayable pivot project." And "A business may receive up to a maximum of $20 million in total RTRI funding." Businesses "may apply for up to 12 months of liquidity assistance, pivot project funding, or both." The page does not state whether the repayable tier carries interest.

What it pays for

Liquidity assistance covers "employee salary and wages" and "essential recurring operating expenses related to rent or commercial lease payments, utilities, business insurance and property taxes".

Pivot projects cover productivity improvements and process modernization, equipment and technology adoption including automation and digitization, market diversification and export development, supply chain resilience, and other activities that increase competitiveness and reduce trade-related risks. Non-profit projects must support tariff-impacted businesses.

Deadline and how to apply

No application deadline is printed. "Apply online through our MyACOA Client Portal." "Required documentation, including proof of tariff impact, should be submitted as part of the application process." Two notes on the page are worth knowing before you submit: "Applications may be shared with other government departments as appropriate", and "Automated systems and/or artificial intelligence may be used to assist in the review and assessment of applications."

"Previous RTRI recipients may also be eligible for this liquidity support. Existing RTRI recipients should contact their project officer." Everyone else can write to acn-rca@acoa-apeca.gc.ca. Our program page for the ACOA Regional Tariff Response Initiative carries the latest terms.

Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Local Impact Stream: Up to $1 Million for Community Infrastructure

ACOA opened the Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream on June 8, 2026, with "nearly $76 million ($75,986,000) over four years". The stream "is time-limited and will run over 4 years, from 2026-27 to 2029-30." Nationally, the BCSF is "$51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, and $3 billion per year ongoing", and the regional development agencies deliver the $1 billion Local Impact Stream. The cross-agency rules are in our Build Communities Strong Fund guide.

Who can apply

Four classes of applicant, verbatim from ACOA's page:

• "An Indigenous government or an Indigenous-led not-for-profit"
• "A municipal or regional government or agency"
• "A public-sector organization wholly owned by a municipal or regional government"
• "A non-profit organization (including community-based organizations)"

An organization may submit more than one application for distinct projects.

Who should not apply: businesses. ACOA's FAQ answers the question in two words and a sentence: "No. For-profit businesses are not eligible to receive funding under the BCSF."

How much and on what terms

Contributions under the Local Impact Stream "will not exceed $1 million per project." The funding is non-repayable: "Funding is provided through non-repayable contributions for eligible projects." ACOA does not state a maximum share of costs as a percentage or a minimum contribution. It does say that "Funding typically represents a portion of total project costs, and applicants are expected to secure other sources of funding."

What it pays for

"Building or improving community infrastructure that is accessible to the public and has economic, social and/or environmental benefits for the broader community." Project types are new construction, expansion, renovation, retrofit, replacement and climate adaptation, and the FAQ adds planning and pre-construction activities. Larger projects such as water and waste, roads, transit, post-secondary and health infrastructure belong to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada's BCSF streams, not ACOA. "Priority will be given to projects that are ready to proceed quickly and deliver clear community benefits." ACOA "may offer additional project flexibilities for Indigenous recipients."

Deadline and how to apply

"ACOA accepts applications to the BCSF Local Impact stream on a continuous intake basis until all available funding has been committed." Applications go through MyACOA, following the How to apply for financial assistance page. ACOA suggests you "speak with your local ACOA program officer, or contact the office nearest you" first.

Business Development Program (BDP): ACOA's Core Program for Entrepreneurs

The Business Development Program is the agency's standing door for businesses. The page carries no deadline language and the index badges it "Open".

Who can apply

Entrepreneurs starting or expanding a business in Atlantic Canada. ACOA adds: "If you have a non-profit organization that fuels business growth, you can also access support." The page states no business size, revenue or years-in-operation test.

How much and on what terms

ACOA states no dollar range for the BDP. It states two cost-share ceilings:

• "You could get up to 50% of the capital you need to grow your business or launch a new one."
• "You could get an interest-free contribution to cover up to 75% of the costs for: staff training; efficiency studies; marketing/trade activities; productivity improvements; quality assurance; environmental management systems".

On terms: "Our repayable funding is interest-free and unsecured."

What it pays for

Capital to grow or launch a business, and the six soft-cost categories above. For non-profits, the BDP funds projects that help SMEs through "business counselling and advice; training and specialized services; networking opportunities; research and development; technology transfer".

Deadline and how to apply

No deadline. "Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss your project and then complete and submit the Application for financial assistance." The ACOA Contact Network takes the first call: the online inquiry form, acn-rca@acoa-apeca.gc.ca, or 1-833-514-3568, Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Atlantic time. ACOA describes the service as "personal, bilingual and free". Our program pages cover the BDP commercial component, BDP support for entrepreneurs and BDP support for non-profits.

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI): Scale-Up Contributions and Ecosystem Grants

REGI is the program the RAII call borrows its eligibility rules from, and it runs year-round. It has two options: Business Scale-up and Productivity, and Regional Innovation Ecosystems.

Who can apply

Business Scale-up and Productivity is open to "sole proprietorships; partnerships; social enterprises; incorporated companies; corporations or co-operatives; Indigenous-owned businesses; all other types of enterprises", plus "non-profit organizations that offer services to businesses".

Regional Innovation Ecosystems is open to "post-secondary educational institutions; accelerators and business incubators; angel networks; social enterprises; a group of eligible recipients such as an industry association or consortium; a municipality and all other municipal-type organizations; community-owned Indigenous businesses".

How much and on what terms

ACOA publishes no dollar range or cost-share percentage for either option. Business Scale-up and Productivity funding is repayable: "Our repayment contributions are unsecured and interest-free. Your agreement will explain all the details including the schedule and conditions for repayment." Regional Innovation Ecosystems funding is not: "We provide non-repayable contributions" to strategic clusters, accelerators, incubators and other innovation-oriented organizations. Indigenous youth, Indigenous women and community-owned Indigenous businesses "could get extra support", described as more funding or flexible repayment options.

What it pays for

Business Scale-up and Productivity: "scale up and expand; make the most of new technologies; improve productivity; create new products and find new markets". Regional Innovation Ecosystems: organizations that build the innovation ecosystem, with a stated focus on under-represented groups, "women, Indigenous peoples and young entrepreneurs, among others".

Deadline and how to apply

No deadline. "Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss your project and then complete and submit the Application for financial assistance." Our program pages: REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity and REGI Regional Innovation Ecosystems.

Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII): $38.2 Million for Atlantic Defence Suppliers

The RDII is "a $379.2 million initiative delivered by Canada's regional development agencies". "ACOA is delivering $38.2 million under this initiative in Atlantic Canada over three years, starting in 2025-26." The national rules are in our Regional Defence Investment Initiative guide.

Who can apply

• "Businesses, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are active in or wish to position themselves within the defence industry supply chain, including through dual-use products or services"
• "Non-profit organizations (including industry associations, business accelerators and incubators, research centres, etc.) that support businesses"
• "Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations"
• "Provincial and municipal governments"

"Applicants from any sector may be eligible provided that they demonstrate how the project benefits the Canadian Armed Forces, the NATO Alliance or NATO allies, and defence readiness or industrial capability."

How much and on what terms

ACOA states no minimum or maximum contribution. Terms depend on who you are:

Stacking: "Total government assistance from all levels of government will not normally exceed 100% of eligible costs." Interest terms are not stated.

What it pays for

For businesses: R&D, technology demonstration, adoption and adaptation including late-stage product development, productivity or manufacturing-capacity improvement including equipment acquisition or facility modernization, commercialization and market expansion, certification required to integrate defence supply chains, and development of military or dual-use technologies. For ecosystems: business and ecosystem support or advisory services, establishing or expanding research centres or specialized facilities, research and strategy for defence procurement readiness, knowledge and technology transfer, and recruitment of specialized expertise.

Eligible costs include capital costs, materials, labour, professional and technical services, pre-production activities, commercialization, specialized testing and R&D, costs to meet military certifications and standards (ISO, CMMC, ADSM, TAM and JCP are named), and costs to build capacity to bid on defence projects. ACOA's priorities include business-led projects that increase Canada's defence industrial capability, integration into defence supply chains, Indigenous economic inclusion and alignment with the Buy Canadian Policy.

Deadline and how to apply

No intake dates are stated. Costs can be retroactive: "Eligible costs may be considered up to 12 months prior to the date ACOA receives a completed application, but not before April 1, 2025." To apply, "Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss your project and then complete and submit an application following the directions on the How to apply for financial assistance page."

Innovative Communities Fund (ICF): Non-Repayable Funding for Community Economic Projects

Who can apply

"non-commercial and non-profit organizations; Indigenous bands and Indigenous-controlled non-profit entities; co-operatives and local development associations; municipalities and their agencies; educational institutions; industry or sector associations". The ICF also supports community projects by Indigenous groups and non-profits in official language minority communities.

Who should not apply: for-profit businesses, which the ICF does not list.

How much and on what terms

"Investments under the ICF do not have to be repaid. The amount we provide is based on the level of funding each project needs to proceed." No dollar range or cost-share percentage is published.

What it pays for

Projects that, in ACOA's words, "clearly explain links and partnerships within the community; address challenges and opportunities in your area; have the potential to lead to economic growth; be over and above your regular activities; have a clear end date; show that you have the skills and resources needed to manage related activities".

Deadline and how to apply

No deadline. Contact your nearest ACOA office, then submit the Application for financial assistance. Our program page: ACOA Innovative Communities Fund.

Economic Development Initiative (EDI): Up to $1.1 Million a Year for Acadian and Francophone Communities

The EDI is open. On November 8, 2026 ACOA's programs index badged it "Open", and the program page had a working How to apply section with no closure notice. A third-party listing that describes an Atlantic non-profit program of up to $1.1 million a year as closed on October 8, 2026 is wrong. October 8, 2026 is the date ACOA last modified the EDI page, not a closing date. ACOA also issued official language minority community investment releases in March 2026, consistent with an active program.

The EDI is ACOA's part of Canada's official languages action plan, "helping Acadian and francophone communities in Atlantic Canada grow their economy."

Who can apply

"non-profit organizations such as: economic development associations; provincial Crown corporations; colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions; municipalities; business and technology institutes". "To be eligible, non-profit organizations must serve Acadian or francophone communities in Atlantic Canada."

Who should not apply: businesses, and non-profits that do not serve an Acadian or francophone community.

How much and on what terms

"Every year, we invest up to $1.1 million in Acadian and francophone communities through the EDI." That is the regional envelope, not a per-project maximum, and ACOA publishes no per-project range. Projects must "secure at least 25% of funding from other sources". Whether contributions are repayable is not stated on the page.

What it pays for

Projects that "provide business advice and support; foster research and development; help to reach new markets; boost innovation; improve productivity; support francophone immigration". Each project must "support the economic development of an Acadian or francophone community" and "help businesses grow and become more competitive".

Deadline and how to apply

No deadline. Contact your nearest ACOA office, then submit the Application for financial assistance.

Community Futures: Loans Through Community Business Development Corporations

ACOA delivers Community Futures "through the work of over 40 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) throughout Atlantic Canada". CBDCs "are non-profit organizations that work to build a stronger economy by fuelling business growth and boosting private-sector employment in rural areas."

Rural small businesses can seek "financial help in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing; business counselling and advice; entrepreneurship development and training; technical help in the form of guidance and coaching". ACOA's own contributions go to the CBDCs, and the ACOA page states no loan amounts or terms. To apply, "Visit cbdc.ca to find your nearest CBDC office, or call 1-888-303-2232 toll-free."

Who should not apply to ACOA directly: a rural business that wants a loan. Go to the CBDC.

Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS): Export Support

The strategy was "launched in 2017, and updated in 2022". Under the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement, "ACOA is investing up to $14 million and the 4 Atlantic provinces are providing up to $6 million from 2022 to 2027". The index badges it "Open" and tags it "For non-profits".

The page describes services rather than an application form. Exporters can get help to "boost your business growth through exports; access global markets; develop the skills you need to succeed; expand or improve your marketing strategy; prepare and carry out your export plan; take part in trade missions". Partners named include Global Affairs Canada, the Trade Commissioner Service, Export Development Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Funding ranges, repayment terms and application steps are not stated. Start with the ACOA Contact Network.

Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund

The NICI Fund supports food-related initiatives in Inuit Nunangat, including Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador. "ACOA will deliver $1.773 million" of the $14.9 million national fund under the Food Policy for Canada. Eligible applicants are businesses, not-for-profit organizations, industry associations, local or Indigenous governments, the provincial government, cooperatives, social enterprises, post-secondary institutions and economic development institutions, with priority access for applicants in Inuit Nunangat. Per-project amounts and terms are not stated. ACOA's Labrador office handles inquiries, and information services are in English and French only.

Programs That Are Paused or Closed

Each status below is quoted from the program's own ACOA page, read on November 8, 2026.

The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy also shows "Not currently accepting applications" on the index. It is a policy ACOA supports rather than a funding program: ACOA helps regional firms connect with major defence contractors on procurements over $100 million.

No active tourism-specific program appears on the programs index. Tourism projects announced in 2026 were funded through the general programs. ACOA's Past programs page lists a further eleven closed programs, including the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, the Tourism Relief Fund, the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

National Initiatives Delivered by ACOA

How ACOA Compares with the Other Regional Development Agencies

ACOA is one of seven regional development agencies, and the four national initiatives it delivers are the same four the other six deliver: RAII at $700 million nationally, RTRI at $3.45 billion across the agencies, RDII at $379.2 million, and the $1 billion BCSF Local Impact Stream. The money is national but the intake is regional. Each agency sets its own dates, minimums and eligibility. ACOA's RAII is a competitive two-stage call with a $1 million minimum request and a November 20, 2026 expression of interest deadline, and it excludes not-for-profits for this call. FedDev Ontario runs its RAII intake on its own dates and terms, which our FedDev Ontario RAII guide covers. The regional development agencies guide lines the seven agencies up side by side.

ACOA's own shares of the national envelopes are over $55 million for RAII, $38.2 million for RDII and nearly $76 million for the BCSF Local Impact Stream. Several ACOA programs are specific to the Atlantic region: Community Futures delivered through more than 40 CBDCs, the Economic Development Initiative for Acadian and francophone communities, the federal-provincial Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, and the NICI Fund for Nunatsiavut. One practical difference for applicants: ACOA's RTRI and BCSF pages publish dollar caps and cost shares, but its BDP, REGI and ICF pages publish no dollar range at all. For those programs the conversation with the program officer sets the number.

Guides for the other agencies: FedDev Ontario programs, FedNor, CED for Quebec regions, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan and CanNor.

Stacking ACOA Funding with SR&ED and IRAP

ACOA's pages state few stacking rules, and none mentions SR&ED or IRAP by name. The rules that are printed:

• RDII: "Total government assistance from all levels of government will not normally exceed 100% of eligible costs."
• EDI: projects must "secure at least 25% of funding from other sources".
• BCSF Local Impact Stream: "applicants are expected to secure other sources of funding".
• RAII, RTRI, BDP, REGI and ICF: no stacking cap and no rule about SR&ED-eligible costs is stated.

For a business, that means an ACOA contribution, a SR&ED claim and an NRC IRAP project can sit on the same company, but ACOA has not published how it treats a cost that also appears in a SR&ED claim. Ask your program officer in writing before you submit, and keep three separate budgets so the same invoice or salary never appears in two of them. Provincial programs in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are government assistance too, and the RDII cap counts them. Our IRAP funding guide covers that program's own rules.

How to Apply: Step by Step

ACOA's process is the same for every program except the RAII call, which starts with an expression of interest. The steps below follow ACOA's How to apply for financial assistance page.

1. Match your project to a program. Use the at-a-glance table. Businesses look at RAII, RTRI, the BDP, REGI and RDII. Municipalities, non-profits and Indigenous governments look at the BCSF Local Impact Stream, the ICF and the EDI. Check the exclusions first: no non-profits in the RAII call, no businesses in the BCSF, no retail or local consumer services in RTRI.
2. Talk to ACOA first. Every program page says to contact your nearest office before applying. Use the ACOA Contact Network inquiry form, email acn-rca@acoa-apeca.gc.ca or call 1-833-514-3568, Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Atlantic time. Head Office general inquiries are at 1-800-561-7862.
3. For the RAII call, submit the expression of interest by November 20, 2026. Open the EOI form, download the template, complete it and upload it with any supporting documents before 11:59 p.m. (ADT). Only selected applicants are invited to the full application.
4. Register in MyACOA. "Go to MyACOA and click 'Log in to MyACOA Account.' Sign in using a sign-in partner or your GCKey user ID and password." New portal users read and accept the terms and conditions, then register the organization. The portal is at acoa-apeca.canada.ca.
5. Gather the documents. ACOA typically asks for incorporation or constituting documents, financial statements, a detailed project description or plan, and quotes, permits, licences and other supporting documents. RTRI applicants add proof of tariff impact.
6. Complete and submit the application. "Create a new application by clicking '+ New Application' and complete both the Organizational Profile and Project Information modules." Upload every document the portal prompts for and submit. ACOA then sends an acknowledgement "confirming receipt. This will include your project number and the name of the program officer assigned to your project." Keep it.

How GrantOps Handles an ACOA Application

An ACOA file is a MyACOA application with an Organizational Profile, a Project Information module and a set of attachments, or for the RAII call, an expression of interest template and then a full application. The parts that decide the outcome are the project description, the budget and the evidence behind both. GrantOps connects to the engineering, finance and project tools your company already runs and builds those parts from your own records.

For a RAII expression of interest, it assembles the business problem, the AI solution, the data access and the measurable outcomes ACOA scores, and it writes up your cybersecurity, privacy and data governance measures for the responsible-AI criterion. For an RTRI application, it pulls the revenue test, the export share and the tariff-impact evidence from your accounting and sales records, and it sizes the liquidity or pivot request against the $2 million, $1 million and $20 million caps. For a BDP, REGI or RDII application, it builds the cost tables from real quotes and payroll, keeps SR&ED-eligible R&D in a separate budget, and keeps every number traceable to a source document for the program officer and for any later audit.

It also tracks the dates: the November 20, 2026 RAII deadline, the RTRI funding-period end dates and the BCSF window. You approve every submission before it goes out. Start free, or book 30 minutes and we will map your project to the right stream.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and who does it fund?

ACOA is the Government of Canada's regional development agency for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, with its head office in Moncton. Its mandate is to help businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, to work with communities to develop and diversify local economies, and to champion the strengths of Atlantic Canada. It funds small and medium-sized businesses through the Business Development Program, Regional Economic Growth through Innovation and national initiatives such as the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative and the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. It funds municipalities, non-profits, Indigenous governments and post-secondary institutions through the Innovative Communities Fund, the Build Communities Strong Fund and the Economic Development Initiative.

When is the ACOA Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative deadline?

ACOA's page states that the call for proposals closes on November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT). That is the expression of interest deadline, 12 days after November 8, 2026. The call launched on October 13, 2026. It is a two-stage process: you submit an expression of interest through ACOA's online form, ACOA assesses and ranks every submission against common criteria after the deadline, and only selected applicants are invited to submit a full application through MyACOA. Receipt of an expression of interest does not mean approval. ACOA has not announced whether a second call will follow, so treat this date as the one that matters.

How much does the ACOA RAII pay, and is it a grant?

It is not a grant. ACOA states that funding is provided as a repayable contribution, with repayment provisions discussed during the application and due diligence process. Each project must request a minimum of $1 million. ACOA does not publish a maximum contribution or a maximum share of eligible costs for this call. Its FAQ says funding levels will vary based on project scope, applicant circumstances, available funding and program requirements. The RAII pages also do not state whether the contribution is interest-free, although the parent REGI program describes its repayable contributions as unsecured and interest-free. Ask your program officer to confirm the terms before you plan your financing.

Who qualifies for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada?

An incorporated for-profit business located and operating in Atlantic Canada, with at least $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of its last two fiscal years, viable before the tariffs and able to show tariff impact. Impact means operating in a sector hit by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs or another tariff-affected sector, earning 25% or more of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or showing cost increases, supply chain disruption or lost revenue or customers. Business-support non-profits are also eligible. Retail, local consumer services, oil and gas extraction and construction services generally are not. Businesses under $1 million in revenue can still contact ACOA, which will explore support options case by case.

Can a business apply to the Build Communities Strong Fund?

No. ACOA's FAQ answers the question directly: for-profit businesses are not eligible to receive funding under the BCSF. The Local Impact Stream is for Indigenous governments and Indigenous-led not-for-profits, municipal or regional governments and agencies, public-sector organizations wholly owned by a municipal or regional government, and non-profit organizations including community-based groups. Contributions do not exceed $1 million per project and are non-repayable. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis through MyACOA until the funding is committed, and the stream runs from 2026-27 to 2029-30. A business that wants to see community infrastructure built can partner with an eligible applicant but cannot hold the agreement.

Does ACOA give grants or loans?

Both, depending on who you are. Contributions to businesses are usually repayable. The Business Development Program and the REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity stream describe their repayable funding as interest-free and unsecured, and RDII contributions to businesses are generally repayable. The RAII call is repayable. Contributions to non-profits, municipalities and Indigenous organizations are usually non-repayable: the Innovative Communities Fund, the Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream and the REGI Regional Innovation Ecosystems stream all say so. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is the main exception for businesses, with up to $3 million in non-repayable funding across liquidity assistance and a pivot project of up to $1 million.

Is the ACOA Economic Development Initiative closed?

No. On November 8, 2026 ACOA's programs index listed the Economic Development Initiative as Open, and the program page had a live How to apply section with no closure notice. At least one third-party listing describes an Atlantic non-profit program of up to $1.1 million a year as closed on October 8, 2026. That is the date ACOA's page was last modified, not a closing date. The EDI invests up to $1.1 million a year in Acadian and francophone communities, funds non-profits that serve those communities, and asks projects to secure at least 25% of funding from other sources. Contact your nearest ACOA office to start an application.

How do I apply for ACOA funding?

For most programs, ACOA asks you to contact your nearest office or the ACOA Contact Network first, then submit an Application for financial assistance through the MyACOA portal. In MyACOA you sign in with a sign-in partner or GCKey, register your organization if you are new, create a new application, complete the Organizational Profile and Project Information modules, upload the supporting documents and submit. Typical documents are incorporation papers, financial statements, a detailed project description and quotes, permits or licences. ACOA then sends an acknowledgement with your project number and the name of your program officer. The RAII call is different: it starts with an expression of interest form, and only invited applicants move to MyACOA.

Sources

All program facts above were read on November 8, 2026 from the agency's official pages.

• ACOA homepage (mandate, RTRI expansion banner)
• ACOA funding programs index (status badges for every program)
• How to apply for financial assistance (MyACOA steps and documents)
• Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in Atlantic Canada (call for proposals, deadline, streams)
• RAII frequently asked questions (eligibility, minimum, repayment, process)
• RAII news release, October 13, 2026 (national expansion, ACOA share)
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada (eligibility, tiers, caps, funding periods)
• Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Atlantic Canada (applicants, activities, envelope)
• RDII frequently asked questions (cost shares, stacking, retroactivity)
• Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream (applicants, $1 million cap, intake)
• BCSF frequently asked questions (for-profit exclusion, program window)
• BCSF news release, June 8, 2026 (stream opening, ACOA envelope)
• Business Development Program (cost shares, interest-free terms)
• Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (two streams, repayment terms)
• Community Futures (CBDC delivery)
• Innovative Communities Fund (applicants, project requirements)
• Economic Development Initiative (envelope, applicants, 25% rule)
• International Trade and Investment (Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy)
• Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund (scope, applicants)
• Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund (closure notice)
• Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy (policy support role)
• Elevate Tourism Initiative (closure notice)
• Tourism Growth Program (closure notice)
• Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (closure notice)
• Atlantic Innovation Fund (archived, closure notice)
• Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (closure notice)
• Jobs and Growth Fund (closure notice, former terms)
• ACOA past programs (full list of closed programs)
• Contact ACOA (offices and phone numbers)