Canadian Government Grants for Small Businesses

Today the Government in Canada at a provincial and national level offer a variety of different grant programs to aid small businesses.  Some of the Canadian Government Grants for small businesses are designed to help a person set up an entirely new one, whilst others are designed to help an existing business to improve or expand.

However you need to be aware if considering applying for such grants that they are often limited to businesses which operate in a certain area.   Plus some of these grants are only intended to be used by a particular kind of business.

So what Canadian Government Grants for Small Businesses are available?   Below we take a brief look at just some.

1.     Industrial Research Assistance Program – This is funded by the NRC (National Research Council of Canada) and provides grants to small businesses that are interested in technological innovation.  A company will either be awarded 100% of the project’s salary costs or 75% of any contractor’s fees associated with the project.   To be eligible your business must not employ any more than 500 staff on a full time basis.

2.    Manitoba Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program – This grant is offered by the Government of Manitoba and the money provided is to be used to help cover the costs of starting a small business or for preparatory activities like attending business seminars.   In order to be eligible you must be under the age of 40, must be of Aboriginal heritage and a citizen of Canada.   Plus you must also be setting up your business in rural Manitoba.  Anywhere in Manitoba that is outside of Winnipeg city qualifies as being rural.

3.    Craft Development Program – This grant is available through the Government of Prince Edward Island to any small business in the province.   The funding that this grant provides will either cover 75% of the costs of a project.   However you are required to actually contribute $1,000.

The money that is provided through this particular one of the Canadian Government Grants for small businesses can be used towards paying for the development of a new product, for marketing the business or to obtain off island skills development training.   For you to be eligible you as an individual or if you are running a small business must produce crafts for no less than six months each year.   Also there is a requirement that you must be located in Prince Edward Island as well.