Grants Available to Nova Scotia Businesses (2025): Top Grants + Tips for Applying

HCi3 supports innovative projects that help Halifax/Kjipuktuk reach its goal of becoming net-zero by 2050 through a just and equitable low-carbon transition.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Affordable Housing Grant Policy aims to support the development of new affordable housing within the municipality by offering a one-time grant. The Affordable Housing Grant is for property owners who create affordable housing and agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment Policy aims to incentivise developers, who create four or more new affordable housing dwelling units and agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years, by reducing municipal property taxes over a 10-year period.

Under the Micro-Loan Program, women+ entrepreneurs from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000 offered at a prime rate with zero percent interest and no payments for the first six months.

The program will administer non-repayable awards of $500-$2500. Artists will receive their award following their attestation of the terms and conditions, and be expected to complete a final report upon completion of the project. Projects will assessed by a panel of arts professionals based on a series of criteria set by the program administrator. Successful applications will demonstrate a combination of artistic merit, quality of work, feasibility, and artistic growth of the applicant.

The Heritage Incentives Program provides matching grants (50 per cent) of up to $15,000 for residential properties and $25,000 for commercial properties to complete exterior conservation work on a municipally registered heritage property.

The Financial Incentives Program for Schmidtville and Old South Suburb HCDs provides conservation grants for 50% of the cost for materials and labour up to a maximum grant of $50,000 to complete exterior conservation work on properties located within the boundaries of these two HCDs.

This program also provides functional improvement grants for 15% of the cost for materials and labour up to a maximum grant of $400,000 to install or repair integral building systems, including work to bring these systems up to current building code requirements, improve their energy efficiency (including plumbing, heating, electrical, etc.) or improve their accessibility (including ramps, equipment, etc.).

A single grant application can apply for both a conservation grant and a functional improvement grant simultaneously. Also, conservation work exceeding $100,000 is eligible for inclusion in a 15 per cent functional improvement grant. For example, a conservation project costing $150,000 would be eligible for a 50 per cent conservation grant of $50,000 plus a 15 per cent functional improvement grant of $7,500.

HCi3 supports innovative projects that help Halifax/Kjipuktuk reach its goal of becoming net-zero by 2050 through a just and equitable low-carbon transition.

The Health Equity Fund (HEF) internal funding competition, a collaboration between Nova Scotia Health and the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation, supports researchers and innovators dedicated to integrating health equity principles and objectives into their work. The program aims to address inequitable and avoidable differences in social determinants of health, health outcomes, and the impact of interventions for specific populations. The HEF will provide funding opportunities to develop and implement innovative approaches, advanced technologies, inclusive research, and related policies to mitigate implicit bias in the healthcare system.

The QEII Foundation Translating Research Into Care (TRIC) health care improvement research program supports research that will provide evidence and facilitate the translation of clinical science into improved health care policy, service delivery, and patient care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and across Nova Scotia Health. This funding program was established in 2013 with funding from the QEII Foundation.

The Custom Retrofit program provides eligible organizations with technical and
financial support to help them conduct scoping and feasibility studies and implement technical
improvements in their facilities using a customized and flexible approach. The Retrofit delivery
process is structured in a way that enables participation regardless of the project phase as long
as implementation has not yet started. Retrofit is meant to meet a wide range of participant
requirements and support a variety of energy efficiency initiatives.

Do you offer digital services that will benefit tourism businesses or community tourism organizations?

Earn up to $15,000 for digital services you provide to tourism businesses in Nova Scotia. If you have expertise in digital marketing, website design, photography, video production, or any other digital services.

Since 2015, Digital Nova Scotia has been proud to bring its members free* training opportunities with the assistance of Nova Scotia’s Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI). These programs are focused on improving Nova Scotian productivity, profitability, innovation, technology, machinery, equipment and increasing inter-provincial and international competitiveness while fostering workplace diversity.

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. Innovation Grants support research and innovation in the mining industry and promote development of Nova Scotia’s mineral resources.

Digital Nova Scotia partnered with Tourism Nova Scotia to help connect tourism businesses with digital service providers that can help them develop or enhance effective digital marketing tools. It’s an exciting project that gives our tourism businesses the opportunity to collaborate with the digital community in our province. Approved tourism businesses will be eligible for 100% of the cost of services from a qualified digital service provider, up to a maximum value of $5,000 including HST.

The Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive provides funding for employers and industry associations for training full-time employees to improve productivity and innovation within the organization.

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. The Education, Outreach and Engagement funding stream provides grants to support projects intended to educate and build public confidence or awareness in the mineral industry, prospector support and training, capacity building, indigenous and student education and training.

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. The Marketing funding stream provides support to mineral license and lease holders, companies, and industry associations to promote mineral opportunities and attract investments to Nova Scotia’s exploration and mining sectors. Grants will principally support participation at regional, national, and international conferences, sector trade shows, and investment forums.

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. Prospecting Grants are intended to help explorers carry out grassroots exploration activities and find economical mineral resources in Nova Scotia. Funded activities can include but are not limited to, prospecting, geological/geophysical surveys, trenching, drilling, sampling, and testing.

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. A Shared-Funding Exploration Grant is available to applicants who commit to investing more than $40,000 in mineral exploration and development in Nova Scotia. The Grant will match or partially match the applicant’s exploration investments and will provide awards between $40,000 and $100,000 for eligible expenses. The total award may be increased by $2,500 if the applicant hires a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) to assist with the exploration program

The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. Grants are available through the Mineral Resources Development Fund (MRDF) for research studies intended to support and encourage mineral exploration, deposit development, mineral processing, and value-added end-use applications of minerals in Nova Scotia. Research studies can also include industry applicable studies by consultants on topics such as mineral exploration impact on species at risk, tailings management and any other studies that help inform and support the mineral sector.

The Wine and Grape Industry Development Program supports the environmental, economic and social sustainability of Nova Scotia’s wine industry.

The Young Farmer Mentorship Program helps young farmers develop skills, knowledge and connections within the agricultural industry.

The Creative Industries Fund invests in Nova Scotian creative businesses and not-for-profit organizations
that are focused on developing the export capacity of Nova Scotian artists and creative producers.

The Screenwriters Development Fund (SDF) invests in Nova Scotian production companies to develop
scripts by Nova Scotian writers for film and television.

Publishing companies can apply for funding from the Publishers Assistance Fund to support publishing activities that grow and sustain the province’s publishing industry.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund provides funding for screen-based content creation. To be eligible, organizations must have a permanent establishment in the province and be engaged primarily in the creation of film or video productions for public viewing.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund provides funding for screen-based content creation. To be eligible, organizations must have a permanent establishment in the province and be engaged primarily in the creation of film or video productions for public viewing.

The Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program offers cost-shared grants to business for accessibility related
improvements. Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create
welcoming environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and
employment opportunities. This program is part of the Province of Nova Scotia’s
commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive communities.
Government is committed to an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030. This grant programs
aligns with the commitment to increasing accessibility across the province

The Heritage Development Fund (Built Heritage) recognizes the culture and heritage value of our built
heritage and supports conservation measures for heritage properties registered under the Heritage
Property Act (HPA). This grant program will build the professional capacity of appropriate conservation
measures for our architects, engineers and/or qualified persons.
The Heritage Development Fund (Built Heritage) invests in conservation advice projects carried out by
the property’s owner or eligible organization to ensure the exterior appearance and core structure of the
registered heritage property maintains the property’s unique heritage values.

Nova Scotia’s Disaster Financial Assistance programs are designed to help municipalities,
small businesses, not-for-profit groups and Nova Scotians get back on their feet after a
major storm or natural disaster.
This program helps those whose losses aren’t covered by insurance. This can include
structural damage to homes and damage to uninsurable items such as basic household
goods and appliances, including washers, dryers and furnaces. Not all disasters are
covered by private insurance. Floods and earthquakes, for example, can result in losses
an insurance company wouldn’t offer coverage for

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program helps improve the environmental resiliency of agricultural landscapes by accelerating the adoption of on-farm land use and management practices that maximize benefits for the environment and society.

Eligibility

The Speaker Series Program helps support Industry Associations with skills development and awareness which will help to improve with competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of the Nova Scotia agricultural industry.

The Value-adding Equipment Program supports value-added businesses. The program helps increase local food production, and improve food security and sustainability for farms and communities.

The Veterinary Student Placement Program provides veterinary students with applied learning opportunities and gives them experience in rural Nova Scotia’s agriculture industry.

The Wild Blueberry and Apple Harvest Efficiency Program supports the modernization of wild blueberry and apple
harvesting equipment for growers to reduce labour requirements, increase productivity, and improve profitability

The Wildlife Damage Mitigation program helps farms protect crop and livestock from wildlife damage to improve industry competitiveness and resilience.

The Agricultural Research and Innovation Program supports applied research and innovation activities. It also supports on-farm trials that are intended to improve production, productivity, profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Nova Scotia’s agricultural sectors.

The Apiculture Sustainability Growth and Health Program promotes hive health, pollination expansion and adoption of efficient technologies that help with labour shortages.

The Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program supports the Agricultural sector in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. This program helps primary producers accelerate the adoption of priority beneficial management practices.

The Get Growing Program supports small farms in adopting specialized infrastructure and equipment. The program helps with the expansion of local agricultural production for local markets.

The Market Opportunities and Diversification Program helps producers, processors and industry associations with local and export activities. Activities include:

product and packaging modification to meet specific market requirements or preferences
marketing activities to meet changing requirements or emerging opportunities
the sale of quality agricultural products, inside and outside of Nova Scotia
capacity building and other development that helps products and businesses compete in target markets

The On-farm Automation and Innovation Program supports investments in innovative technologies that require testing and knowledge sharing in Nova Scotia before widespread adoption. Innovative technologies need to align with the following Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership priorities:

building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness (for example, labour efficiencies and productivity enhancements)
climate change and environment (for example, efficient input use, reduced GHG emissions)
market development and trade (for example, technology for new product development)
resiliency and public trust (for example, improved climate change resilience, farm safety, animal welfare)

The On-farm Electrical Preparedness Program helps farms buy a backup generator and battery storage to support business continuity and preparedness for adverse weather.

The On-farm Technology Adoption Program helps producers invest in equipment and processes that provide labour efficiencies, reduce cost of production, increase yields and support more efficient use of inputs.

The On-Farm Water Management Program will support primary producers to improve and adapt to impacts of climate change on water implications, including activities to conserve and enhance natural resources for water management. This program helps primary producers accelerate the adoption of priority beneficial management practices.

To help Nova Scotia farms and agri-businesses to be more competitive, manage transition, develop risk management strategies, and respond to change.

The Limestone trucking assistance program aims to help Nova Scotia farms defray the cost of trucking limestone to give equal opportunity in neutralizing the acidity of the soil on agricultural land and improve production efficiencies.

The Advancing Clean Technologies Program supports the adoption of clean technologies that help with climate change adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable and clean growth, and increasing value-added agricultural production.

The Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program introduces agriculture to students as a career option and helps address the labour gap for agriculture producers in Nova Scotia.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Showcase Support stream provides an investment for domestic and international showcase performances.

The tour support stream provides an investment for domestic and international tours.

The Artistic Creation Program of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program offers a $1,500.00 investment toward the creation and marketing of musical and audio-visual artistic creations, including but not limited to recordings, performance videos, & music videos. Your application should set out what you intend to create and, if applicable, your marketing plan.

The Artistic Creation Program II of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program offers a $3,000.00 investment toward one year of artist development activities including sound recording, touring & showcasing, video production, marketing and promotion. These activities must be detailed in an Artistic Creation Program II Plan, which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application.

The Industry Builders Mentorship component of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Business Development Stream supports Eligible Music Companies by investing in development projects. Investment is available for initiatives that are not artist-specific, but that support the marketing and promotion of the company, full roster and its services.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Business Travel component provides investment for domestic and international music industry conferences and events, as well as business trips for the company’s general market development.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Developing Songwriter/Producer component offers a $3,000 investment toward six months of songwriting and production sessions. The program is designed to support travel costs related to participating in writing sessions and production work. The applicant must be receiving writing credits and percentages on the songs produced as a result of the program and the songs must be intended to be released by an artist other than the applicant. These activities must be detailed in a Developing Songwriter/Producer Plan, which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application.

The Artist II/III Recording Program offers a $3,000 investment toward sound recording. These activities must be detailed in an artist bio, history, and recording plan, and a marketing and release overview which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application.

The Business Travel component provides investment for domestic and international music industry conferences and events, as well as business trips for the company’s general market development.

The Showcase Support stream provides an investment for domestic and international showcase performances.

The tour support stream provides an investment for domestic and international tours.

The Marketing Support: Artist III component of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program supports Artists III and Record Labels applicants by contributing investment to the costs of the marketing and promotion of a single, EP, LP, or tour. Projects focused solely on asset creation are ineligible.

The Mi’kmaq Arts Program supports the development and continuation of Mi’kmaq art forms in the territory of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia). Arts Nova Scotia recognizes the specific needs and practices of the Mi’kmaq arts community and acknowledges a dedicated funding program is required.

The objective of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program is to encourage the creation, development and growth of Nova Scotian music businesses, artists and their intellectual property.
The Business Development Stream supports Eligible Music Companies by investing in development projects. Investment is available for initiatives that are not artist-specific, but that support the marketing and promotion of the company, full roster and its services.

The Business Travel component provides investment for domestic and international music industry conferences and events, as well as business trips for the company’s general market development.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Business Development Stream supports Eligible Music Companies by investing in development projects. Investment is available for initiatives that are not artist-specific, but that support the marketing and promotion of the company, full roster and its services.

The Marketing Support: Artist I component of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program supports Artists I and Record Labels applicants by contributing investment to the costs of the marketing and promotion of a single, EP, LP, or tour. Projects focused solely on asset creation are ineligible.

The Mentorship Component supports developmental employment relationships between Developing and Export-Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge, and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship.

The Affordable Housing Development Program supports the creation of affordable housing. Private developers and community housing developers can apply for forgivable loans from the Affordable Housing Development Program to help fund the construction of new housing or the conversion of non-residential buildings. Both must include affordable rental units for households with low to moderate income.

The Artist I Recording Program offers a $1,500 investment toward sound recording. These activities must be detailed in an artist bio, history, and recording plan, which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application.

The Land for Housing Program helps create affordable housing. Private developers and community housing developers can apply for provincially owned land available through the Land for Housing Program.

The Showcase Support stream provides an investment for domestic and international showcase performances.

The Screen Nova Scotia Content Creator Fund (CCF) is a program that acts as a top-up contribution for qualifying Nova Scotia Productions. The CCF supports Nova Scotia creators by providing funding to eligible productions.

The tour support stream provides an investment for domestic and international tours.

Access Support is a supplement to a project grant that funds individual applicants who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness, as well as groups and organizations who want to increase the accessibility to their presentation/ production for audience and/or participants. This supplementary grant provides a contribution towards costs for specific services and supports required to carry out a project funded by Arts NS.

The Marketing Support: Artist II component of the Music Nova Scotia Investment Program supports Artists II and Record Labels applicants by contributing investment to the costs of the marketing and promotion of a single, EP, LP, or tour. Projects focused solely on asset creation are ineligible.

This program supports organizations, groups, and individuals to develop and carry out community-based arts projects. Communities can be geographically based (people who live in the same neighbourhood or region). They can be based on shared interests or a shared workplace. They can be based on a shared culture or a shared aspect of identity.

This program supports Nova Scotia’s professional, practicing artists in the creation and dissemination of their own work. The program also supports professional artists by helping them to develop their practice and skills in all disciplines including fine crafts, music, literary, visual, media, and performing arts.

This program helps emerging and established professional artists from designated communities who have historically faced barriers to accessing funding support. Designed to support artistic growth, development, production and dissemination, the initiative is available to the following designated communities of artists:

Indigenous (Mi’kmaq as well as other First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
African Nova Scotian
Black
Racialized people of Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or mixed racial descents
Artists who are deaf, partially deaf, or hard of hearing
Artists who have disabilities
Artists who have mental illness or are mad-identifying

Arts Nova Scotia manages the Nova Scotia Art Bank. Every year the Art Bank adds to its collection through the Art Bank Purchase Program. Artists are invited to submit their works for consideration. Pieces that are acquired become part of a working collection.

They are maintained, loaned out and displayed in government offices and agencies. The program raises awareness of artists and their works and stimulates interest in visual arts and craft.

This program helps Nova Scotian professional arts organizations create and present artistic work as well as strengthen their artistic and administrative capacity.

The Food Ventures Program provides financial support for the acceleration of innovative and safe Nova Scotia local products to market using Perennia’s food safety and product development services.

Perennia’s Seafood Accelerator Program (SAP) was launched in 2019 with funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries
and Aquaculture (NSDFA). The funding program supports Nova Scotia based seafood companies adapt to the changing demands
of today’s markets by developing new value-added products, overcoming technical challenges with existing products, updating
food safety programs to comply with regulatory requirements and gaining access to new markets.

On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers improve soil health, protect soil from erosion, and tackle climate change by adopting beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. The program offers funding to help farmers implement nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices. In addition, the OFCAF program supports professional training for farmers, agronomists, and certified crop advisers

Tourism Nova Scotia’s Digital Content Marketing Program provides Nova Scotia tourism businesses and organizations the opportunity to partner with Tourism Nova Scotia (TNS) to create quality photos and videos to promote their products and/or services in key markets using digital marketing tactics. Markets may include Atlantic provinces, Ontario, Quebec, and the Northeastern United States.

The EXPORT Travel Trade Program aims to help Nova Scotia tourism businesses develop partnerships with tour operators and travel agents to increase national and international sales. Participants can receive up to $5,000 towards registration fees to attend an eligible travel trade marketplace.

The RADIATE Tourism Program helps tourism businesses and attractions develop and market packaged tourism activities and services to local and Atlantic region travellers during fall and winter.

Tourism Nova Scotia in partnership with Digital Nova Scotia will connect you with a qualified digital consultant to enhance or develop effective digital marketing or e-commerce tool

The Supplier Diversity Certification Pilot Program (SDCPP) offers diverse-owned businesses* financial support to obtain supplier diversity certification through one of the five following certifying bodies in Canada:

CAMSC (Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council)
IWSCC (Inclusive Workplace & Supply Council of Canada)
CGLCC (Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce)
WEConnect International Canada
WBE Canada (Women Business Enterprises Canada)

The Market Access Food Safety Program assists companies to overcome a specific food safety requirement or obstacle that is preventing them from entering a new market, or in keeping markets open when requirements change.
Specifically, this program will support a limited number of companies with: obtaining Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) certification which will in turn open more export markets, and meeting the food safety requirements of new markets to support market entry or market expansion.

The New Product Creator is an initiative intended to support the development of new seafood value-added products through activities such as market validation, prototype development and scale-up support with the intent of having the product successfully reach the intended market.