Grants Available to Prince Edward Island Businesses (2025): Top Grants + Tips for Applying
If you’re an aspiring or current business owner in Prince Edward Island, you probably know that it’s hard to find business funding – especially PEI business grants.
Look no further! Because on this page we’ve assembled the best grants for PEI entrepreneurs, including PEI startup business grants.Below we also cover the basics of business grants and cover some tips for successfully applying and maximizing your funding. Let’s get into it!
What is a Business Grant in PEI?
A business grant is essentially a monetary award given to a company by government institutions, private groups, or charitable organizations for a set objective.These grants often target businesses that adhere to particular standards, such as operating in a defined location, belonging to a certain industry, or prioritizing areas like eco-friendliness or technological advancement. Given the diverse criteria for these grants, it’s vital to meticulously examine the guidelines before making an application.
What’s the Difference Between a Grant and Loan for Business?
The fundamental difference between grants and loans is that you don’t have to repay grants. They are typically allocated through a competitive process, aimed at specific projects, fields, groups, or regions.
Conversely, loans usually come with a repayment obligation, often accompanied by interest. While banks or financial bodies are the usual sources for loans, there are also government-backed loan programs. The terms of these loans can vary depending on the provider.
Types of Business Grants in PEI
Organizations that distribute grants, including governmental bodies, work towards stimulating job opportunities and economic expansion. To meet this aim, they commonly award grants to businesses that cater to specific:
- Audiences
- Activities
- Industries
- Regions
We even have a fancy acronym for this: we call it the “AAIR Framework“. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Business Grants for Audiences
Governments recognize that certain demographic groups are underrepresented in small business, so they have funding programs to encourage members of those demographics/audiences to start (and grow) businesses.
Audiences that have grant programs targeted at their demographic include black business owners, female entrepreneurs, and Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
Business Grants for Activities
There are a handful of activities that make a big difference in a business’ growth. Those activities are the ones that tend to get the most grant money, including:
- Hiring
- Training
- Research & Development
- Exporting
Business Grants for Industries
Governments sometimes single out specific industries for support, recognizing that those industries are important for job growth or in supporting other important issues, such as reducing global warming.
Some of the top industries in PEI that are supported by funding programs include:
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Tourism
Business Grants for Regions
In an effort to balance out job growth and economic development, governments will sometimes target grant programs as specific “underdeveloped” geographic regions.
Who is Eligible for PEI Business Grants?
We hear that question all the time!
There are many grants for New Brunswick businesses, from federal and provincial sources to non-profits. Given this diversity, eligibility requirements can differ. Yet, some general prerequisites are:
- Being incorporated. While sole proprietorships and partnerships have some grant options, the majority are offered to incorporated entities.
- Operating for a minimum of two years. PEI startups do have access to support, much of which is non-monetary (like mentorship or networking). However, direct financial assistance is more readily available to businesses with a longer track record.
- Revenue. Most grant providers look for tangible proof of your business’s viability, and a steady revenue stream is a compelling indicator.
Alternatives to Business Grants for PEI Businesses
Grants are great (for many reasons), but don’t overlook the MANY other types of funding and programs available, including PEI business loans, tax credits for PEI businesses, and PEI business rebates.
Prince Edward Island Business Grants: Current Programs
Now let’s get into the free money programs!
In the section below you’ll see the titles and a brief description for each PEI grant program in our directory. To learn more about a program, click the grant title and you’ll be taken to a dedicated page with complete information on the grant program:
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The City of Charlottetown offers small scale grants to community groups and individuals that want to contribute to the overall sustainability of the City. Eligible projects are community driven and create meaningful impact and community awareness for the goals and actions outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan. Projects must take place in Charlottetown.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
Municipal Grants are available to external agencies and individuals who assist in creating or maintaining healthy, diverse, and inclusive communities for the benefit of Charlottetown residents.
$3,000
Grant
Description:
The Provincial Heritage Incentive Program assists owners of properties that are of historical significance to the province
and are designated as heritage places under the Heritage Places Protection Act. The program’s objective is to ensure that
work is done in a manner that retains important architectural features of designated1
heritage buildings. It also is intended
to encourage investment in heritage properties and aid in their conservation.
no fixed ammount
Grant
Description:
Workplace Skills Training is a program developed for employers to train new or existing employees to develop their skills and align with needs of the business. The employer determines the type of training and who will participate.
$5,000
Grant
Description:
To encourage the creation and viability of small businesses in Prince Edward Island, Small Business Assistance supports activities that increase productivity and competitiveness. The program supports eligible costs related to internal planning and processes. A new business is eligible for support for marketing and promotion activities.
$3,750
Grant
Description:
The Small Business Investment Grant helps Prince Edward Island’s small businesses improve efficiency and innovation by way of a non-repayable financial contribution toward eligible capital asset costs.
$5,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Storytelling Development Fund provides financial assistance to Prince Edward Island producers and/or production companies for scriptwriting costs required for film, TV and screen based projects.
$20,000.00
Grant
Description:
Strategic Improvement Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses undertaking strategic activities to become more productive, profitable and competitive.
$2,500.00
Grant
Description:
The Web Presence Assistance is a non-repayable contribution provided to Prince Edward Island businesses and local not-for-profits to assist them in establishing a presence on the Internet or to upgrade an existing website to include e-commerce. The purpose of this assistance is to help Island businesses and not-for-profits increase business by creating a website to establish online visibility and reach.
$200,000
Grant
Description:
The Equity Investors Incentive provides new and expanding businesses in Prince Edward Island with a tool to encourage and attract private sector investment. The program provides a non-repayable incentive to investors to encourage investment in an approved Prince Edward Island-based investee business by increasing the return-on investment to investors.
$150,000
Grant
Description:
Funding is available to support approved costs to install broadband infrastructure that will deliver high-speed access in Prince Edward Island. Applications will be accepted from residents, businesses, communities, and internet service providers (ISPs) proposing a broadband project to increase Internet service levels, improve access, and expand consumer choice, specifically in underserved areas of the province. The PEI Broadband Fund is being allocated through the following funding streams:
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the creation/production grant is to support the creation of artistic projects by Prince Edward Island professional artists in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the dissemination grant is to assist with the presentation of the works of PEI professional artists to the public, ideally in a critical and/or curatorial context, in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the professional development grant is to support the professional development of PEI professional artists’ careers in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
no fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Programme d’appui à la francophonie canadienne – PAFC (Canadian Francophonie Support Program) provides funding for projects that aim to:
1. help develop Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada;
2. promote and encourage the use of French in Canada;
3. strengthen the ties between Quebecers and Francophones/Francophiles in Canada;
4. reinforce the sentiment of belonging to an inclusive pan-Canadian Francophonie.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Learn grant is to support the career growth and professional development of PEI artists’ careers including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$750
Grant
Description:
The Visual Arts Materials Microgrant assists artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary art forms to create artwork or facilitate workshops.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund provides financial assistance to local Prince Edward Island internet service providers (ISPs), communities and businesses for the installation of infrastructure for enhanced broadband services. Through this program, partnerships and collaborations are encouraged and support is provided for increased service levels, improved access and consumer choice for connectivity.
$16,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Marketing Assistance helps Prince Edward Island businesses with marketing costs to execute exporting plans and activities. The fund enables businesses to accelerate sales and increase their market reach.
no fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund provides financial assistance to local Prince Edward Island internet service providers (ISPs), communities and businesses for the installation of infrastructure for enhanced broadband services. Through this program, partnerships and collaborations are encouraged and support is provided for increased service levels, improved access and consumer choice for connectivity.
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund (PEIBF) provides a contribution of up to 50% of the eligible costs for a project approved for funding. Applications must be submitted prior to the start of a project; any expenses incurred before the submission of an application are ineligible.
$25,000
Grant
Description:
Capital Acquisition Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses investing in technology, equipment, and infrastructure needed to grow their business and increase capacity and competitiveness.
$30,000
Grant
Description:
Grants for Performance Venues will provide funding for smaller performance venue projects that will improve audience experiences including but not limited to space planning, research, small building improvements and accessibility upgrades; ticketing system upgrades and to support business planning. Eligible projects outcomes must focus on improved audience experience.
$3,000
Grant
Description:
The Export Trade Assistance provides a grant to active exporters and export ready companies on Prince Edward Island. Support may be available for Innovation PEI’s Global Trade coordinated trade activities, including virtual trade initiatives, focused on international and domestic exporting; and bringing buyers and business partners to Prince Edward Island to strengthen business relationships or close sales.
$50,000
Grant
Description:
Food Product Development Assistance is available to Prince Edward Island businesses to access professional and technical assistance in creating or improving a new food product or process. This assistance can be used to develop and test new and improved products and processes, and other technical development-related activities.
$50,000
Grant
Description:
The Innovation Fund assists businesses to bring a new product, service, or process (“product”) to market by providing financial support for the costs to refine and commercialize an innovative product that has demonstrated potential for export market uptake. The Innovation Fund has two streams: 1. The New Product stream can support the transition from a demonstrated beta/pilot/prototype product to the final stage refinements for scale-up and full commercial development of the product. 2. The Product Diversification stream can support the adaptation of an existing product for a new market segment, where refinement and enhancement changes are required to function in a new geographical area, vertical or industry (to adjust to different requirements, such as regulatory/legal, business environment, industry requirements, culture, etc.).
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Create grant is to support the research, development, creation and production of artistic projects by professional Prince Edward Island artists including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Share grant is to assist with the presentation of works by professional PEI artists to the public, ideally in a critical and/or curatorial context, including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$7,500
Grant
Description:
The goal of the program is to incentivize tourism operators to create and develop inspired ideas and new product offerings that will support tourism across PEI and grow Prince Edward Island as a multi-season tourism destination.
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The PEI Arts Grants program offers three types of grants to support the professional artists of Prince Edward Island: Create, Share and Learn grants. Each stream serves a different purpose and requires a different application.