Nova Scotia · Business funding
Most business funding is tied to a specific activity, hiring, training, exporting, R&D, equipment, rather than to the business itself. This page lists the federal and Nova Scotia programs CashRadar tracks for small businesses, with an honest label on which ones are actually grants and which are repayable.
Nova Scotia is one of our most thoroughly curated provinces, so this list goes beyond the headline programs into housing, repair and income support.
These are very different things on a balance sheet. Regional agency funding is often an interest-free repayable contribution, not a grant. Tax credits arrive as a reduction at filing time, not as cash when you spend. We label the benefit type on every listing.
Several major federal programs run fixed intake periods rather than continuous application. Missing one usually means waiting a full cycle, so the practical move is to track the reopening date rather than checking occasionally.
R&D claims in particular are won or lost on records written while the work happened. Reconstructed notes rarely survive review. If you're planning to claim, set up the record-keeping before the project starts.
Federal and provincial programs generally operate independently, and claiming both on the same activity is often allowed. Confirm the stacking rules for each program rather than assuming.
Each with its official source and last-verified date
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency support for business growth in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 15, 2026
Business Development Bank of Canada
Term loans, working capital and advisory services from Canada's development bank for entrepreneurs. This is lending, not grant funding.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Federal support for Black Canadian business owners through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, a National Ecosystem Fund, and a Knowledge Hub.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Efficiency Nova Scotia
Rebates of up to 50% on energy-efficient equipment for Nova Scotia businesses, or interest-free financing.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 15, 2026
Trade Commissioner Service, Global Affairs Canada
Federal funding of up to $50,000 for small and medium businesses developing new export markets. The current intake closed on 31 August 2026, the next intake has not been announced.
Value
Up to $50,000
Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Employment and Social Development Canada
A federal wage subsidy for small businesses, non-profits and public institutions hiring young people aged 15 to 30 for summer positions.
Value
Not stated by source
Deadline
Not stated
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Export Development Canada
Export credit insurance, working capital guarantees and market knowledge for Canadian companies selling internationally.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Futurpreneur Canada
Startup financing plus two years of mentorship for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39, often combined with a matching BDC loan.
Value
Up to $75,000
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 15, 2026
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
Start-up financing and non-repayable contributions for Indigenous businesses, through Indigenous Financial Institutions.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 15, 2026
Invest Nova Scotia
A rebate for Nova Scotia companies making large capital investments in innovation, automation or new production processes. Minimum project investment is $350,000.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
National Research Council Canada
Advisory services and cost-shared funding for small and medium businesses developing new technology, delivered through a network of Industrial Technology Advisors.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Invest Nova Scotia
An earned rebate on eligible gross payroll, paid annually over three to five years once a company hits agreed job-creation targets.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered provincially
Provinces and territories may offer employer training support under their own programs and rules.
Value
Not stated by source
Deadline
Not stated
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ACOA's main innovation stream for Atlantic Canadian businesses scaling up, commercialising technology, or improving productivity.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Canada Revenue Agency
Canada's largest federal support for business R&D, refundable and non-refundable tax credits for experimental development and applied research.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
A federal strategy funding women-owned and women-led businesses through ecosystem partners, the WES Loan Fund, and regional delivery organisations.
Value
Not stated by source
Intake
Ongoing
Last verified: September 20, 2026
CashRadar identifies potential matches. Final eligibility is determined by the program administrator. CashRadar is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or any provincial government.