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All programs

Programs available in Nova Scotia

102 programs
for Nova Scotia businesses.

Federal programs available across Canada, plus 20 Nova Scotia-specific grants and tax credits. Updated regularly.

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Nova Scotia grant landscape

What makes Nova Scotia different.

Nova Scotia has the strongest investor tax credit in Atlantic Canada (Equity Tax Credit at 35 percent), plus the Nova Scotia Digital Media Tax Credit and ACOA scale-up support. Strong stack for tech, digital media, and growth-stage businesses.

The standout programs.

Nova Scotia's Equity Tax Credit (35 percent to investors, up to $17,500 per investor) makes local angel raises substantially easier. The Digital Media Tax Credit at 25-50 percent of NS labour stacks with federal credits.

The administering ecosystem.

ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) handles most growth contributions. NS Department of Finance administers the equity credit. Innovacorp historically administered tech-specific programs.

What founders should do first.

  • 01Register for Equity Tax Credit eligibility before issuing any shares - the credit only applies to qualifying issuances.
  • 02ACOA business development contributions are typically non-repayable up to a threshold - apply early in the fiscal year.

Top programs to look at first.

TAX CREDIT

Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit

35% credit to investors (up to $17,500 per investor)

TAX CREDIT

Nova Scotia Digital Media Tax Credit

25% to 50% of NS labour costs

GRANT

ACOA Business Development Program

Up to $50,000

TAX CREDIT

Atlantic Investment Tax Credit

10% of qualifying property

Nova Scotia-specific programs

Only available to businesses in Nova Scotia.

ACOA Business Development Program

GRANT
Up to $50,000

Provincial R&D Tax Credits

TAX CREDIT
3.5–30% of eligible R&D costs

Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
35% credit to investors (up to $17,500 per investor)

Nova Scotia Digital Media Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
25% to 50% of NS labour costs

Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
Investors receive 35% (45% for oceans tech and life sciences) for individuals, or 15% for corporations, of the eligible investment

Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
25% of the capital cost of qualified property, up to $100M per approved project

Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program

GRANT
Up to $15,000 (Tier 1) or up to $25,000 (Tier 2)

Nova Scotia Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

INCENTIVE
Loans, working capital, and lines of credit up to $500,000, with a provincial guarantee up to 90%

Nova Scotia Digital Animation Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
Up to 50% of eligible NS animation labour, plus a 17.5% labour bonus

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund

GRANT
26% base of eligible NS costs (25% for non-NS-owned), with bonuses up to roughly 42% total

Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit

TAX CREDIT
15% of eligible R&D expenditures, fully refundable

Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI)

GRANT
Up to 75% of eligible training costs

Graduate to Opportunity (GTO)

INCENTIVE
25% to 30% of first-year salary, plus 12.5% to 15% in year two

North End Halifax Facade Improvement Grant

GRANT
50% of costs, up to $2,000 per business

Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Financing

INCENTIVE
Loans up to $750,000; non-repayable ABFP contributions up to 40% of expansion costs

Nova Scotia Workplace Support Program

GRANT
Covers the cost of approved technical aids, assistive devices, and workplace attendant support for eligible employees

WEOC National Loan Program

INCENTIVE
Up to $50,000

Efficiency Nova Scotia Small Business Energy Solutions

INCENTIVE
Rebates plus 24-month interest-free financing

Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Loans (Atlantic Canada)

INCENTIVE
Micro loans up to $5,000; women and youth up to $25,000; general loans up to $750,000

Nova Scotia Nominee Program: Entrepreneur Pathway

INCENTIVE
Requires $100,000 to $150,000 investment; pathway to permanent residence

Grants available in Nova Scotia

32

Canada Job Grant

Up to $10,000 per employeeGrant

Futurpreneur Canada Startup Loan

Up to $25,000Grant

CanExport SMEs

Up to $50,000 (50% of eligible costs)Grant

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

Up to $50,000 (SME stream)Grant

ACOA Business Development Program

NOVA SCOTIA
Up to $50,000Grant

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund

Up to $100,000Grant

AgriInvest

Up to $10,000 per year matchedGrant

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Up to $30,000 per youth hiredGrant

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Up to $7,000 per studentGrant

Mitacs Accelerate

$10,000 per 4-month internshipGrant

Clean Growth Hub Programs

Varies by underlying programGrant

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

Project-by-project, typically $10M to $100M+Grant

Mitacs Business Strategy Internship

50% of intern stipend, up to $7,500 per internshipGrant

NACCA Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)

Up to $99,999 (sole proprietor) or $250,000 (corporation)Grant

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Grants

Up to $25,000 per streamGrant

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP)

Varies by stream, typically $10,000 to $200,000Grant

Clean Fuels Fund

Up to 30% of eligible capital costs, ceilings varyGrant

Mitacs Globalink Research Internship

Mitacs covers $6,000 of internship stipendGrant

Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur

Up to $15,000 per 4-month internshipGrant

SSHRC Partnership Grants

Up to $2.5M per partnership over 7 yearsGrant

Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program

NOVA SCOTIA
Up to $15,000 (Tier 1) or up to $25,000 (Tier 2)Grant

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund

NOVA SCOTIA
26% base of eligible NS costs (25% for non-NS-owned), with bonuses up to roughly 42% totalGrant

Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI)

NOVA SCOTIA
Up to 75% of eligible training costsGrant

North End Halifax Facade Improvement Grant

NOVA SCOTIA
50% of costs, up to $2,000 per businessGrant

VAC Education and Training Benefit

Up to roughly $99,000 lifetime, with up to about $6,300 reserved for short coursesGrant

VAC Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program

Covers approved training and re-establishment costs; can pair with the Income Replacement Benefit at 90% of pre-release salaryGrant

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (Employer Wage Subsidy)

Wage subsidy negotiated with the local delivery agent; program guidance averages about $12,000 in supports per participantGrant

Enabling Accessibility Fund: Small Projects Component

Up to $125,000 per project (recent small projects calls); some calls have set higher per-project ceilingsGrant

Nova Scotia Workplace Support Program

NOVA SCOTIA
Covers the cost of approved technical aids, assistive devices, and workplace attendant support for eligible employeesGrant

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital

Up to $99,999 for individuals; up to $250,000 for community businessesGrant

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Business Opportunities

Up to $500,000 per recipient per year; up to 100% of eligible costsGrant

CWCF Technical Assistance Grants

Up to $4,000 per grantGrant

Tax Credits available in Nova Scotia

16

GST/HST Input Tax Credits (ITCs)

5–15% back on all business expensesTax Credit

Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

Up to $2,000 per apprentice per yearTax Credit

Provincial R&D Tax Credits

NOVA SCOTIA
3.5–30% of eligible R&D costsTax Credit

Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
35% credit to investors (up to $17,500 per investor)Tax Credit

Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC)

15% of qualifying exploration expenses (to investor)Tax Credit

Nova Scotia Digital Media Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
25% to 50% of NS labour costsTax Credit

Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC)

25% of qualifying labour expendituresTax Credit

Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC)

16% of qualifying Canadian labour expendituresTax Credit

Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit

30% of eligible clean technology investmentTax Credit

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Investment Tax Credit

18.75% to 60% of eligible CCUS investmentTax Credit

Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit

15% to 40% of eligible clean hydrogen investmentTax Credit

Medical Expense Tax Credit (Business Owner)

15% federal + provincial portion of eligible medical expensesTax Credit

Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
Investors receive 35% (45% for oceans tech and life sciences) for individuals, or 15% for corporations, of the eligible investmentTax Credit

Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
25% of the capital cost of qualified property, up to $100M per approved projectTax Credit

Nova Scotia Digital Animation Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
Up to 50% of eligible NS animation labour, plus a 17.5% labour bonusTax Credit

Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit

NOVA SCOTIA
15% of eligible R&D expenditures, fully refundableTax Credit

Deductions available in Nova Scotia

19

Small Business Deduction (SBD)

Up to $30,000 per year in tax savingsDeduction

Home Office Expense Deduction

Typically $3,000–$12,000 per yearDeduction

Motor Vehicle Expense Deduction

Typically $4,000–$15,000 per yearDeduction

Accelerated Investment Incentive (AII)

30–100% of asset cost in year 1Deduction

Business Meals & Entertainment Deduction

50% of all qualifying expensesDeduction

Zero-Emission Vehicle 100% Deduction

Full vehicle cost in year 1 (up to $55,000+)Deduction

Eligible Capital Property Deduction (Class 14.1)

5% of eligible capital costs per yearDeduction

Manufacturing and Processing Profits Deduction

6% federal tax savings on M&P incomeDeduction

Education and Training Expense Deduction

100% of qualifying training costsDeduction

Canadian Advertising Deduction

100% of qualifying ad spendDeduction

Bad Debt Deduction

100% of uncollectible receivablesDeduction

Professional Fees Deduction

100% of qualifying feesDeduction

Trade Show, Conference, and Certification Deduction

100% of event costs (excluding meals)Deduction

Provincial Small Business Tax Rate Reduction

Up to 15% combined effective rate savingsDeduction

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)

Up to $1.25 million in tax-free gains (2026, indexed to inflation)Deduction

Individual Pension Plan (IPP) for Owner-Managers

$10K to $40K+ extra annual deductions vs RRSPDeduction

Shareholder Loan Interest Deduction

Variable: based on loan amount and rateDeduction

Incorporation and Reorganization Costs

100% of qualifying costsDeduction

Worker Co-operative Capital Gains Exemption

Up to $10,000,000 in capital gains exempted from taxDeduction

Incentives available in Nova Scotia

35

BDC Growth & Transition Capital

Up to $5,000,000Incentive

Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

Up to $1,000,000 in financingIncentive

AgriStability

Up to 70% of margin declineIncentive

Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB)

Access to ~$1.5B annual federal procurement set-asideIncentive

Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Up to $50,000 loanIncentive

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (FACE)

Loans from $10,000 to $250,000Incentive

BDC Equipment Purchase Loan

Up to 125% of equipment cost, terms up to 10 yearsIncentive

BDC Commercial Real Estate Loan

Up to 100% of property value (with partner lender)Incentive

BDC Purchase Order Financing

Up to 100% of fulfillment cost per orderIncentive

BDC Working Capital Loan

Up to $250,000 with no fixed assetIncentive

Nova Scotia Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

NOVA SCOTIA
Loans, working capital, and lines of credit up to $500,000, with a provincial guarantee up to 90%Incentive

Graduate to Opportunity (GTO)

NOVA SCOTIA
25% to 30% of first-year salary, plus 12.5% to 15% in year twoIncentive

Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Financing

NOVA SCOTIA
Loans up to $750,000; non-repayable ABFP contributions up to 40% of expansion costsIncentive

IWSCC Veteran-Owned Business Certification

Certification costs $500 per year; opens access to corporate and government supplier diversity procurementIncentive

CFMWS HERCS Entrepreneur Workshop

$0 fee (free workshop); covers small business startup and financing fundamentalsIncentive

IWSCC Disabled-Owned Business Certification

Certification costs $500 per year; opens access to corporate and government supplier diversity procurementIncentive

Futurpreneur Newcomer Startup Program

Up to $25,000 in loans plus two years of mentorshipIncentive

Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) Program

Microloans up to $50,000 plus advisory supportIncentive

Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship (IYE) Program

Up to $75,000 in combined loans and grantsIncentive

Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund (CCIF)

$50,000 to $1,250,000 in loans, quasi-equity, or equityIncentive

CWCF Tenacity Works Fund

$15,000 to $50,000 term loansIncentive

Co-operative Housing Development Program (CHDP)

Forgivable and low-interest loans funding up to 100% of eligible costsIncentive

Social Finance Fund (SFF)

Repayable investment capital (part of $400M+ deployed through intermediaries)Incentive

Social Finance Fund: Boann Social Impact

$154,000,000 deployed nationally through impact funds and intermediariesIncentive

Social Finance Fund: Realize Capital Partners

Part of $400M+ SFF capital deployed through intermediariesIncentive

WEOC National Loan Program

NOVA SCOTIA
Up to $50,000Incentive

BDC Thrive Venture Fund for Women

Direct equity from the $500M Thrive platform (seed to Series A/B)Incentive

BDC Women in Technology Venture Fund

Equity investmentIncentive

BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan

Up to $350,000Incentive

Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP)

Up to $5,000 per vehicle (up to 10 vehicles for a business)Incentive

Efficiency Nova Scotia Small Business Energy Solutions

NOVA SCOTIA
Rebates plus 24-month interest-free financingIncentive

Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Loans (Atlantic Canada)

NOVA SCOTIA
Micro loans up to $5,000; women and youth up to $25,000; general loans up to $750,000Incentive

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)

Up to 50% of project costs, max $2,000,000 per project (75% for Indigenous organizations)Incentive

Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) Employer Program

$0 cost to employers (federally funded program, roughly $30M to 2027)Incentive

Nova Scotia Nominee Program: Entrepreneur Pathway

NOVA SCOTIA
Requires $100,000 to $150,000 investment; pathway to permanent residenceIncentive

Which of these do you actually qualify for?

Take the 3-minute quiz and we'll filter all 102 programs down to just the ones your Nova Scotia business is eligible for.

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