Programs and services for your business—list

How it works

1. Determine if your project meets the basic eligibility criteria, using the self-assessment tool. (Tip: if you've never applied before, you can get free in-person advice.)
2. Calculate your tax credit.
3. Complete and file the right forms with your income taxes.
4. The tax centre will determine if further technical or financial review is required. If yes, your file will be sent to a coordinating tax services office.
5. Your claim will be assessed and a Notice of Assessment will be sent to you.
6. If you are owed a refund, you will receive it by cheque or direct deposit.

How it works

1. Register for the Start-up Program.
2. Share a draft business plan and cash flow (Futurpreneur can help if you don't have one!)
3. They'll check your credit score and make sure you're eligible.
4. You'll need to submit supporting documents, including a final, complete business plan and cash flow.
5. They'll review your application.
6. If successful, you'll be assigned a mentor and get an orientation.
7. You get the money.
8. Provide updates as needed and continue working with your mentor.
9. Make interest-only payments for the first year and repay the principal in equal monthly instalments together with interest, over the remaining 4 years.

How it works

1. Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.
2. They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).
3. Your ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future. This information will help the ITA develop a diagnostic to identify perceived gaps and recommend strategies by which to address these gaps.
4. Your proposal will be assessed within 3 months (usually less) based on:
   • Technical aspects and potential impacts on your business
   • Business, management, financial capabilities
   • Your assessed potential to achieve expected results
   • Your commercialization plan
   • The overall market and commercialization opportunity
   • Benefits to Canada
5. If successful, you'll receive the contribution and work with your ITA throughout your project.

How it works

1. Read the program overview and frequently asked questions.
2. Find a potential foreign collaborator and get a letter or email confirming that they know about your technology and want to meet with you. (Tip: Use the Trade Commissioner Service to find a partner if you don't already have one.)
3. Request your application form.
4. Prepare and submit your application. (Tip: The application must be submitted no later than eight weeks before your expected travel date.)
5. If your application is approved, sign a contribution agreement with Global Affairs Canada.
6. Travel and meet with your potential partners.
7. Submit a final report and claim your eligible expenses no later than 10 days following completion of your travel.
8. Keep your receipts for five years for auditing purposes.

How it works

1. Contact a Mitacs representative in your province. They'll help you identify an intern and refine your goals.
2. Read the How to Write Your Proposal guide.
3. Write your proposal with the project participants, and get feedback your Mitacs representative.
4. Collect all signatures and required documents and submit the final proposal to your Mitacs representative. Peer review takes approximately 6–8 weeks.
5. If the proposal is approved, Mitacs will get in touch with more details about how to make your financial contribution. When they receive it, Mitacs will release the Accelerate award to the university and it will pay the intern.
6. Begin your project.

How it works

1. Contact BDC online or by phone.
2. A BDC representative will get in touch with you to set up a meeting and review your project.
3. Depending on the project, documents will have to be provided to BDC to process your application.
4. Your application will be processed. The loan will be approved or denied.
5. Your repayment period could be up to 6 years.

How it works

1. Read the program guidelines and make sure your proposal fits in with the innovation priority. (Tip: Discuss your proposal with a FedNor officer before completing an application.)
2. Fill out an application for financial assistance. It will include key contact and project information, along with a short summary of how your project fits in with the innovation priority and its anticipated measurable economic benefits.
3. FedNor will evaluate your initial application to determine if your project is eligible to move on to the next phase.
4. If successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed application.
5. FedNor will evaluate your full proposal on factors such as project outcomes, competitiveness and benefits to Northern Ontario's economy, and aims to have results within 80 working days.
6. If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out repayment details and obligations such as reporting requirements.
7. Start your project.
8. Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.
9. Report to FedNor on project progress, spending and other activities as identified in your contribution agreement.
10. Repay the funding according to the terms negotiated in your contribution agreement.

How it works

1. Read the program guidelines and make sure your project fits the program's priorities. (Tip: Discuss your proposal with a FedNor officer before completing an application.)
2. Fill out an application for financial assistance. It will include things such as a work plan for your intern and a post-internship retention plan.
3. FedNor will evaluate your application and will aim to have results within 80 working days.
4. If successful, you will sign an agreement with FedNor and hire your intern. (Tip: Your advertisement process must be transparent and fair. You will need to use templates to advertise the position.) 
5. Start your project.
6. Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.

How it works

1. Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.
2. Write and submit your Statement of Interest.
3. The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.
4. Develop and submit your full application.
5. Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due
6. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.
7. If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.
8. Move forward with your project and submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.
9. Repay the contribution, if applicable.

How it works

1. Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.
2. Write and submit your Statement of Interest.
3. The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.
4. Develop and submit your full application.
5. Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due
6. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.
7. If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.
8. Move forward with your project and submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.
9. Repay the contribution, if applicable.

How it works

1. Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.
2. Write and submit your Statement of Interest.
3. The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.
4. Develop and submit your full application.
5. Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due diligence.
6. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.
7. If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.
8. Move forward with your project and submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.
9. Repay the contribution, if applicable.

How it works

1. Read the program overview.
2. Check out the country-specific Requests for Proposals.
3. If there is a project of interest, contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in that country to help you find a partner (if you don't already have one) or apply to participate in a country specific partnership development activity.
4. Submit a Company Profile form to indicate your interest.
5. Prepare and submit a joint proposal with your international partner. All contact information and necessary forms will be available in the country-specific Request for Proposal document.
6. Your proposal will be evaluated and a decision will be communicated in five to seven months from the closing of the application process.
7. If your project is selected, both Canada and your partner country will conduct further due diligence to make sure all elements of the project are in order.
8. Sign a funding agreement outlining specific milestone and reporting requirements.
9. Get your money as your project meets the milestones and reporting obligations set out in the funding agreement.

How it works

1. Read the program guidelines and make sure your proposal fits in with the innovation priority. (Tip: Discuss your proposal with a FedNor officer before completing an application.)
2. Fill out an application for financial assistance. It will include key contact and project information, along with a short summary of how your project fits in with the innovation priority and its anticipated measurable economic benefits.
3. FedNor will evaluate your initial application.
4. If successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed application.
5. FedNor will evaluate your full proposal on factors such as project outcomes, competitiveness and benefits to Northern Ontario's economy, and aims to have results within 80 working days.
6. If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out repayment details and obligations such as reporting requirements. 
7. Start your project.
8. Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.
9. Report to FedNor on project progress, spending and other activities as identified in your contribution agreement.
10. If applicable, repay the funding as identified in your contribution agreement.

How it works

1. Define your specific R&D challenge within the fields of natural sciences and engineering.
2. Identify a university professor or college researcher that can help, and get them on board. (Tip: contact the NSERC Regional Offices for help and advice to find a researcher.)
3. Read the guidelines.
4. Feed into the application process. (Tip: the application is mainly completed by the university or college researcher. As a business, you contribute to the development of the proposal, create a letter of support responding to particular questions and provide a profile of your company to the researcher or to NSERC directly.)
5. NSERC assesses the application on technical merit, industrial relevance and other criteria, usually within six weeks.
6. If approved, funding is typically provided to the university or college within 30 days.

How it works

1. Create an account and start your application.
2. Share a draft business plan and cash flow (Futurpreneur can help if you don't have one!)
3. They'll check your credit score and make sure you're eligible.
4. You'll need to submit supporting documents, including a final business plan and cash flow.
5. They'll review your application.
6. If successful, you'll be assigned a mentor and get an orientation.
7. You get the money.
8. Provide updates as needed and continue working with your mentor.
9. Make interest-only payments for the first year and repay the principal in equal monthly instalments together with interest, over the remaining 4 years.

How it works

1. Contact BDC online or by phone.
2. A BDC representative will get in touch with you to set up a meeting and review your project.
3. Depending on the project, documents will have to be provided to BDC to process your application.
4. Your application will be processed. The loan will be approved or denied.
5. Your repayment period could be up to 12 years.

How it works

1. Apply online
2. Provide all required information and get approved within 5 days.
3. Your funds will be deposited into your account within 2 to 5 business days after approval**
4. Repay your loan over 5 years.

**From the time all required information has been submitted

How it works

1. Contact BDC online or by phone.
2. A BDC representative will get in touch with you to set up a meeting and review your project.
3. Depending on the project, documents will have to be provided to BDC to process your application.
4. Your application will be processed. The loan will be approved or denied.
5. Your repayment period could be up to 4 years.

How it works

1. Fill out the Project Concept Template. (Tip: your project description will need to include estimated project costs and a description of the market potential).
2. Submit it to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) office nearest you.
3. An ACOA representative will contact you to discuss the project and guide you in the preparation of your proposal.
4. Then you can submit the Application for Financial Assistance and project proposal.
5. ACOA evaluates your application.
6. If successful, you'll negotiate and sign a contribution agreement.
7. Submit eligible expenses and get reimbursed within 25 days. (Tip: Eligible project costs can be claimed from the application date.)
8. Fulfill any reporting obligations, as per the outlined in your contribution agreement.

How it works

1. Fill out the Project Concept Template. (Tip: you'll need to estimate project costs, describe the market potential and include your latest annual financial statements).
2. Submit it to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) office nearest you.
3. An ACOA representative will contact you to discuss the project and guide you in the preparation of your proposal.
4. Then you can submit the Application for Financial Assistance and project proposal.
5. ACOA evaluates your application.
6. If successful, you'll negotiate and sign a contribution agreement.
7. Submit eligible expenses and get reimbursed within 25 days. (Tip: Eligible project costs can be claimed from the application date.)
8. Fulfill any reporting and repayment obligations and conditionally repay ACOA's contribution, as per the terms outlined in your contribution agreement.

How it works

1. Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.
2. They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).
3. The ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future to determine if the Youth program is right for you.
4. If yes, your ITA will work with you to develop a project proposal.
5. Find and hire your graduate. Internships are available anywhere in Canada and the projects must last a minimum of six months, and a maximum of twelve months. Your candidate will need to be unemployed or underemployed and a Canadian or permanent resident. Your ITA can connect you with colleges and universities that have the right candidates.
6. Within two weeks, you'll know if your project is approved.
7. Submit monthly reimbursement claims.

How it works

1. Read SDTC's eligibility and evaluation criteria.
2. Submit a short introduction. You may be invited to present your project via video conference. SDTC will let you know if your project will proceed with further evaluation.
3. Submit your proposal.
4. SDTC conducts a multi-step evaluation of your application on things like how your technology compares to competing solutions and the strength of your business plan. They may also conduct a site visit. The application process usually takes six months from start to finish.
5. Find out if your project is approved. If no, you'll get feedback on why. If yes, you'll be assigned a project manager and sign a contribution agreement. It takes anywhere from 3 to 11 months to finalize the agreement.
6. Start your project.
7. Get your money based upon a schedule of milestones outlined in your agreement.
8. Fulfill your reporting obligations.

How it works

1. Define your specific R&D challenge within the fields of natural sciences and engineering.
2. Identify a university professor or college researcher that can help and get them on board. (Tip: Contact the NSERC Regional Offices for help and advice to find a researcher.)
3. Read the Collaborative Research and Development Grants guidelines.
4. Feed into the application process. (Tip: The application is mainly completed by the university researcher. As a business, you contribute to the development of the proposal, create a letter of support responding to particular questions and provide a profile of your company to the researcher or to NSERC directly by registering for eServices.)
5. NSERC assesses the application on technical merit, industrial relevance and other criteria, usually within three months after receiving the completed application.
6. If approved, funding is provided directly to the university typically within 30 days.

How it works

1. Read the program guide.
2. Find your project partners and have them sign a letter signifying their interest and detailing your collective in-kind and cash contribution to the project, which must constitute 50% of the total project costs.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Experts will review your application and evaluate it on things like your capabilities, the market and the project's potential impact.
5. Sign an agreement governing the project with your partners.
6. Start your product demonstration project.
7. Get your money. You'll be paid back for eligible expenses in instalments according to approved milestones.
8. Report back to Alberta Innovates.

How it works

1. Apply online.
2. Your application will be evaluated by industry experts and partners. York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) accepts 15 entrepreneurs per cohort, twice a year.
3. You'll find out if you've been accepted within one month of the application deadline.
4. If accepted, you'll take part in a free, intensive, 16-week program, including formal academic lectures by Schulich Executive Education Centre instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship and mentorship by key industry leaders.
5. Graduate and receive formal institutional certification from the Schulich School of Business (York University) and YEDI.
6. You'll be invited to pitch your professionally developed business plan at the Venture Fair for the opportunity to receive up to $500,000 in funding from YEDI's own venture capital fund.

How it works

1. Read the program guide.
2. Get a quote from your selected service provider.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Experts will review your application on things like your capabilities, the market and the project's potential impact and let you know if you've been successful.
5. Sign an agreement with your product or service provider. You'll need to pay them a deposit of at least 25% of the project costs.
6. Start your project.
7. Report back on your project.
8. Alberta Innovates pays your product or service provider directly after approving your final report and the product or service provider's invoice.

How it works

1. Read the program guide.
2. Find your project partners and have them sign a letter signifying their interest.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Experts will review your application and evaluate it on things like your capabilities, the market and the project's potential impact.
5. Sign an agreement with your product or service provider. You must pay at least 25% of the project costs as a deposit.
6. Start your mid-to-late-developmental-stage project.
7. Get your money. You'll be paid back for eligible expenses in instalments according to approved milestones.
8. Report back to Alberta Innovates.

How it works

1. Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.
2. They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).
3. The ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future to determine if the Youth-Green program is right for you.
4. If yes, your ITA will work with you to develop a project proposal. It could be in R&D, engineering, multimedia, market analysis or development of a new product or process, align with green economy sectors or industries and expected to produce an environmental benefit.
5. Find and hire your student. Internships are available anywhere in Canada and must last a minimum of three months, and a maximum of six months. Your candidate must Canadian or permanent resident. Your ITA can connect you with networks that have the right candidates.
6. Within two weeks, you'll know if your project is approved.
7. Submit monthly reimbursement claims.

How it works

1. Find a student to work on your project. The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) can help match companies with students, but a good starting point is to post the job and reach out to colleges and universities to let them know.
2. Complete an eligibility questionnaire.
3. OCE will review it within 1–2 business days.
4. If you're eligible, OCE will set up an online application for you.
5. Complete the application. You'll need:
   • The intern's official transcript(s) and curriculum vitae/resume
   • Information about your company, such as your business number, incorporation date and number of employees (globally and in Ontario)
6. OCE will review and assess your application (in 4–6 weeks).
7. If your application is approved, OCE will release the payment directly to you, minus a $1,500 holdback (per internship). The holdback will be released when the project ends and OCE receives progress and final reports and proof of payment to the intern.