At a glance
Several major federal and provincial funding programs are reopening this summer, or have windows closing soon. This article breaks down which programs are open, who qualifies, how much is available, and exactly what to do before the deadlines hit.
Every year, the same pattern repeats: intake windows open, a handful of well-prepared companies apply within the first few weeks, funding gets allocated, and businesses that only heard about the program after the fact spend the next 12 months waiting for the next round.
U.S. tariff disruptions have pushed the federal government to prioritize market diversification and productivity investment. Some programs have already incorporated this shift into their 2026 eligibility criteria. Others will when they reopen.
SWODF & EODF : Ontario Manufacturing
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) and Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODA new summer round is expected from June 30, 2026 to September 23, 2026. Ontario manufacturers should be building their project documentation and financial statements now, not after the opening date is announced.
What it funds: New technology and equipment, facility construction and upgrades, incremental specialized labor, third-party engineering and expertise, training tied to new processes.
How much: Secured loan of up to 15% of eligible project costs, maximum $5M. Up to 30% of the loan (max $500K) may be forgiven if investment, job creation, and payroll targets are met. Rural projects and strategic foreign direct investments can access non-repayable grants instead.
Who qualifies: Manufacturers in eligible SWODF (Southwestern Ontario) or EODF (Eastern Ontario) regions, with at least 10 FTE employees, a $500K investment commitment, and 3+ years of operations. Project must create at least 5 net new jobs.
Key watch-out: EODF and SWODF cannot be stacked with other Ontario provincial programs. Timing your application to avoid overlap with other provincial incentives is important.
MAPAQ: Food Processing Program (PTA)
Quebec’s food processing program improves productivity, competitiveness, and the environmental footprint of the sector. The program is reopening this summer, now is the time to prepare your application and validate eligibility.
What it funds: The MAPAQ Food Processing Program (PTA) supports external expertise and workforce training, as well as investments in automation, robotization, process digitalization, food safety systems, and quality management.
How much: The PTA provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Funding can reach $75,000 for planning and skills development projects and $150,000 for productivity and quality management project.
Who qualifies: Eligible businesses must have operated for at least 12 months, be registered in Quebec, and apply for an establishment they operate in the province. Additional financial thresholds apply depending on the type of project
Quebec IRRT: Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Administered by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a targeted measure helping Quebec manufacturing SMEs negatively affected by U.S. or Chinese tariffs invest in long-term competitiveness. The IRRT is reopening with a renewed focus on agri-food processing, supporting businesses investing in innovation and regional economic development.
What it funds: Productivity-enhancing investments, market diversification strategies, supply chain optimization, and technology demonstration projects.
Who qualifies: To qualify, companies must be registered in Quebec’s Enterprise Register, have fewer than 500 employees, at least $2M in annual revenues, and provide documented evidence of tariff impact. Projects must have started and must be completed by March 31, 2028. Large requests are reviewed on a continuous basis.
How much: For requests up to $1 million, the program offers a non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. For projects over $1 million combining productivity and diversification, a repayable contribution of up to 75% of total project costs is available.
SCAP: Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP) is a federal-provincial cost-sharing framework funding a wide range of agricultural programs across Canada.
What it funds: Under S-CAP, programs such as AgriInnovate support the commercialization, demonstration, and adoption of innovative agri-food technologies.
How much: Interest-free repayable contributions of up to $5 million per project at a 50% AAFC cost-share. Provincial S-CAP programs such as Alberta’s Value-Added Program and Saskatchewan’s SLIM program provide non-repayable grants for processors investing in capacity expansion, food safety, new product development, and market access.
Who qualifies: Eligible applicants are generally for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada operating in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Deadlines and intake rules vary by stream.
SRF: Strategic Response Fund
The Strategic Response Fund (SRF), successor to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), is Canada’s flagship large-scale industrial funding program, representing a total $5 billion federal investment. Administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the SRF supports transformative projects that address market gaps linked to tariff impacts, with a broader focus on resilience, diversification, and long-term competitiveness.
What it funds: Large-scale innovation and industrial transformation projects, including R&D and commercialization, capital investments to modernize production or expand capacity, and collaborative innovation networks. It also supports firms adapting to tariff pressures and diversifying markets.
How much: The minimum contribution is $10 million, with no stated maximum. Repayable contributions are the default and are structured on a case-by-case basis based on project benefits and risk. Non-repayable contributions are available where projects demonstrate significant national benefit.
Who qualifies: The program is open to all sectors under two streams: Business Innovation & Growth (R&D and commercialization, firm expansion, investment attraction) and Collaborations & Networks.
Key watch-out: Intake is continuous with early ISED consultation strongly encouraged. Given the scale and complexity of SRF applications.
PSCE Stream 2: Québec Export Support
For Québec-based SMEs, Investissement Québec’s Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l’exportation (PSCE), Stream 2, provides non-repayable contributions for diversification and consolidation in markets outside Québec. The program runs multiple intake windows through 2027 a recurring opportunity for Québec companies building their international export presence.
Upcoming deadline: Europe intake from June 15 to June 29, 2026. Fall 2026 intake targeting Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Oceania. Spring 2027 will reopen for Canada (outside Québec) and Europe.
What it funds: Export strategies and market studies, trade event participation outside Québec, digital marketing for foreign markets, and the hiring of a new full-time international sales representative (new position, for up to 52 weeks).
How much: Up to $60K per company per year. Assistance rate declines with each successive project: 50% for a first project, 40% for a second, 25% thereafter.
Who qualifies: Québec SMEs with revenues between $1M and $50M, cooperatives, and social economy NPOs with at least 40% self-generated revenues. Several sectors are excluded, including primary industries, construction, retail, real estate, telecommunications, and financial services.
How to be ready before the windows open
Confirm eligibility before the deadline hits.
Many programs have disqualifying conditions that are easy to miss: employee thresholds, revenue bands, sector exclusions, reporting requirements. A quick eligibility review with Ayming identifies these early, before you invest time in an application you cannot complete.
Gather your financial documentation now.
SWODF and EODF all require audited or reviewed financial statements. PSCE requires revenue confirmation. CanExport needs your last tax return and Articles of Incorporation. Having these ready means you move the moment an intake opens, rather than scrambling to compile them under deadline.
Define your project scope and outcomes.
Programs like SWODF evaluate the economic impact of your project: jobs created, revenue generated, private investment committed. A clearly defined project with concrete outcome metrics is dramatically more competitive than one assembled at the last minute.
Don’t apply to just one program.
Many of these programs can be combined within their respective stacking limits. A BC manufacturer may be eligible for BSP PacifiCan and CanExport simultaneously. Ayming identifies all programs you qualify for and builds an integrated strategy to maximize total funding.
The bottom line
Government funding in Canada is not a lottery. It is a process, and the businesses that consistently recover the most are the ones that treat it as a year-round activity, not a last-minute scramble. The programs listed above represent a significant combined funding envelope. Most of your competitors are not applying.
Our team tracks every intake cycle across federal and provincial programs. Our assessment is free, and if any of the programs above could apply to your business, the right time to start is now.
Contact our grants experts for a free eligibility assessment.
Find out which programs apply to your business
Government Funding
Funding Alert
Don’t miss out on the next big opportunity. Stay ahead of upcoming federal and provincial grants and funding programs, and find out if your projects qualify. Ayming helps you move fast, stay informed, and secure the support your business needs to grow.
