Funding Opportunities

CanExport Programs

CanExport SMEs

  • Helps SMEs register in Canada to break into new international markets.
  • $10,000 to $50,000

CanExport Innovation

  • Help Canadian SMEs, academic institutions and non-governmental research centres develop R&D collaborations through partnerships in foreign markets.
  • Funding up to $75,000

CanExport Associations

  • Helps Canadian national industry associations and trade organizations to pursue international business development.
  • Annual funding of up to $250,000

CanExport Community Investments

  • Help Canadian communities and not-for-profit, locally based organizations, attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment.
  • $3,000 to $500,000

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Research Manitoba Funding Opportunites

Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities in Manitoba. They offer various funding programs to suit the needs of applicants.

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Accelerated Growth Service (AGS)

From funding to expert advice to driving new collaborations, Innovation Canada's programs provide funding, support, and services to Canadian entrepreneurs.

  • Funding to back businesses
  • Services to help entrepreneurs find all the other ways government and government-funded programs can help grow their business
  • We work with our core partners to deliver growth service, NRC/IRAP, BDC, EDC, PrairiesCan, Global Affairs/TCS

Find suitable programs and services tailored to your requirements. Navigate through government support by offering guidance on the best programs and services available and leveraging AGS's network of partners. Foster growth and expansion by advocating for your needs, overcoming obstacles, and establishing connections on your behalf.

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Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.

Basic Eligibility

  • Incorporated SME operating in Canada
  • 500 or fewer employees
  • Objective to grow through innovation

Assessment of the business

  • Business opportunity
  • Management & financial capabilities 
  • Potential to achieve expected outcomes
  • Plan to commercialize results

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AGPAL Program and Service Finder

AgPal helps farmers and agri-businesses find relevant resources by gathering agricultural information and presenting it all in one place. Search and navigation tools make it quick and easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Find programs, services, market intelligence, research and more! 

AgPal is a web-based discovery tool developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). 

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Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program

The Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) Program supports internationally educated professionals towards their goal of working in their professional field in Manitoba.

It provides non-repayable financial assistance to help IEPs with assessment and training costs while pursuing registration in one of Manitoba’s 28 non-nursing self-regulated professions.

To be eligible, individuals must have started the registration process with a Manitoba regulator, and be motivated and able to complete the process in a timely, efficient and continuous manner. For most professions, this means completing the registration process within two years.

Individuals should contact their Manitoba regulator directly to learn about the registration requirements, process, costs and other important information.

Internationally Educated Nurses in Manitoba

If you are an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN), you may be eligible for financial assistance to support your goal of working in the nursing field in Manitoba through the IENs in Manitoba Project.

Please see the news release for more information and to access the separate application form.

Please direct all questions regarding the IENs in Manitoba Project to the Healthcare Recruitment inbox at healthrec@gov.mb.ca.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible you must:

  • currently reside in Manitoba
  • be an immigrant who is a Naturalized Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a Protected Person as determined by the Government of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
  • have prior international education and work experience in a Manitoba regulated profession
    be either unemployed, underemployed in a job that is not aligned with your field of education and professional skillset, or working in your field without professional registration
  • have started the registration process with a Manitoba regulator
    • When applying to the program, individuals must provide the assessment decision letter from the regulator that indicates they are eligible to pursue professional registration and the steps involved.
  • be motivated and able to complete the registration process in a timely, efficient and continuous manner
    • Individuals must commit to an Action Plan to complete the registration process within two years.
    • Registration processes that are expected to take longer than two years will be reviewed and considered on a case by case basis, with approval being based on a number of factors including the likelihood of success in attaining registration and labour market demand.
  • intend to work in Manitoba after professional registration

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Recognition Counts – Loans for Skilled Immigrants

Internationally educated professions not eligible for the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program may be eligible for the Recognition Counts Program.

Recognition Counts information

Eligible supports

Supports are tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

Eligible participants may receive the following:

  • Up to $23,000 in non-repayable financial assistance to cover assessment and training costs as required by the regulator to complete the registration process. This includes costs for:
    • language training and assessments, where required by the regulator
    • assessments of knowledge, skills, experience and character
    • required upgrading, including bridging programs and in-person or online courses
    • regulator recognized exam prep-courses
    • interim/conditional registration costs
    • other mandatory assessments, exams and training fees
  • Individuals may also receive financial assistance to cover living expenses, child care, and transportation costs while participating in required upgrading, a bridging program or an unpaid work placement/internship.
  • Employed individuals may be authorized to voluntarily quit their employment in order to qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while participating in required upgrading or a bridging program.

Ineligible costs include:

  • Retroactive costs/fees that were paid prior to receiving approval from the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program. This includes application fees that were paid to start the assessment and registration process.
  • Professional registration costs including fees to obtain your full licence, professional liability insurance, and annual professional development courses required to maintain your licence.
  • Individuals who fail a required assessment (e.g., language test, licensing exam) for a second time are not eligible for financial assistance for any subsequent attempts.
    • Individuals may resume support from the Manitoba Careers for IEPs Program once they pass the required test/exam.

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Genomic Appplication Partnership Program (GAPP) 

The Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) funds downstream research and development (R&D) projects that address real-world challenges. GAPP projects are led by receptor organizations that can originate from industry, non-profit or government entities.  Receptor organizations must possesses expertise and resources needed to commercialize and/or implement the project’s major outcomes.

What is a GAPP project?
The Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) funds downstream research and development (R&D) projects that address real-world challenges. GAPP projects are led by receptor organizations that can originate from industry, non-profit or government entities.  Receptor organizations must possesses expertise and resources needed to commercialize and/or implement the project’s major outcomes.

GAPP projects are often co-funded by the receptor and other stakeholders. Projects must have potential to generate significant social and/or economic benefits for Canada. GAPP projects also aims to:

  • accelerate the application of Canadian genomics-derived solutions from academia to real-world opportunities and challenges defined by the receptor.
  • focus on enhancing Canada’s genomics capacity that produce sustainable innovations which benefit Canadians.
  • enhance the value of Canadian genomics technologies by providing downstream investment opportunities for industry and other partners.

Beside the receptor organization (Canadian or international), a GAPP project must also have a Canadian-based academic lead/participant. Both the receptor and academic lead play crucial roles in a GAPP project. Ultimately, GAPP projects should also foster mutually beneficial collaboration and knowledge exchange between Canadian academia and technology receptors.

GAPP is open to projects across all sectors. Agriculture and agri-food, health, the environment, and climate change to name only a few broad categories. The possibilities are endless. 

I’ve Got a Great Idea for a GAPP Project. What Kind of Funding is Available?

GAPP projects are open across all sectors.  They require a collaborating funding approach. There are significant matching dollars available from a variety of sources, including from the Canadian federal government, administered by Genome Canada. GAPP projects can up to 1/3 investment from Genome Canada. These dollars must be matched by the receptor (either in cash and/or in-kind) equal to, or greater than a Genome Canada contribution. All remaining co-funding requirements can come from other eligible sources. For more information about GAPP funding requirements, please see Section 4 and Appendix 2 of the GAPP Investment Strategy and Guidelines:

GAPP Investment Strategy and Guidelines

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Export Support Programming 

Manitoba’s Export Support Programming focuses on supporting Manitoba’s small and medium-sized businesses to export and diversify markets for their products. Intake is now open for the two funding streams noted below.

Export Development Program
Provides reimbursement to eligible Manitoba companies participating in a tradeshow or mission outside the province. This will assist companies to enter new markets, and provide opportunities for education, market assessments, developing relationships, contacts and sales. LEARN MORE

Incoming Buyer Program
Provides reimbursement to local companies that invite qualified international buyers to the province with the goal of procuring Manitoba products. This will help make Manitoba a more attractive destination for international buyers looking to procure products from Manitoba companies and provide opportunities for companies to follow up on trade leads and develop new sales and distribution relationships. LEARN MORE

For further assistance, contact

Trade & Export Development
Phone: 204-945-1055
Email: exportmb@gov.mb.ca

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Small and Medium-Sized Business Support: Learn About Programs to Assist in Growing Your Business

The Manitoba government's Department of Economic Development, Investment and Trade offers several programs and incentives targeted for both individuals and businesses. Its goal is to encourage and facilitate entrepreneurial and employment opportunities within the province through the establishment of new businesses or the expansion/ retention of existing Manitoba businesses. 

Please find below a list of programs and incentives you can use to facilitate the initiation or expansion of your businesses: 

Workforce Development Program
Industry Expansion Program 
Innovation Growth Program 
Community Enterprise Development Tax Credit
Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit 
Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit 

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Trade Commissioner Service's CanExport Funding Program to Help Canadian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Break into New International Market.

CanExport SMEs is Now Accepting Applications for Fiscal Year 2023-24 for Projects Starting April 1, 2023. 

Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international, market development activities. 

Who can apply?

  1. be for-profit
  2. be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative
  3. have a Canada Revenue Agency business number
  4. employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
  5. have $100,000 to $100 million in declared revenue in Canada during its past fiscal year (or 12 months for quarterly filers) 

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Government of Canada Announces Major Investment to Support Scientist, Researchers and Students

On November 16, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced more than $1 billion in funding to support scientists, researchers and students. This investment, made through a number of funding programs, will support researchers across Canada in different fields, disciplines and stages of their careers.

From upgrading research facilities to maintaining modern equipment, to supporting students and the establishment and renewal of Canada Research Chairs, this funding will ensure Canadian research continues to lead the world and push the boundaries of knowledge, while also supporting the next generation of young Canadians.

The announced funding includes: 

Read the full news release HERE.

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The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentives

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives encourage businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada.

Depending on the size and type of business, SR&ED incentives are:

  • a deduction against income
  • an investment tax credit (ITC) that can be
    • non-refundable
    • refundable

Whatever eligible SR&ED work you are doing, you can use your pool of deductible SR&ED expenditures to reduce your net income for tax purposes in the current year or deduct them in a future year.

Your ITCs will be at least 15% and can be as much as 35% of your qualified SR&ED expenditures. You can use the ITCs to reduce your income tax payable for the year. If you have excess ITCs in the current year, you may also get a refund. If you have any unused ITCs, you can carry them back 3 years or forward 20 years and apply them against tax payable for other years.

Corporations, individuals, trusts and members of a partnership can use these Government of Canada incentives.

For more information: 

If you want more information about SR&ED, you can attend an information seminar, contact SR&ED Outreach Program or contact us with any questions.

SR&ED information sessions
Attend virtual information seminars on a variety of topics to help businesses gain a deeper understanding of the SR&ED Program. Find out about upcoming SR&ED information sessions and webinars.

SR&ED Outreach Program
The Outreach Program is an initiative that seeks to promote and educate potential claimants about the SR&ED tax credit. Learn more about the SR&ED outreach program.

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The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program is Now Accepting Expression of Interests (EOIs) on an Ongoing Basis.

If you are a company in the Prairie Provinces looking to grow, the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program could be for you. BSP supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated Canadian companies.

The objectives of the program are to:

assist high-growth companies to scale-up and expand,
support technology demonstration and bringing new technologies to market,
encourage the early adoption or adaptation of leading-edge technologies and processes to improve productivity, and
increase businesses’ capacity to grow through market diversification and entry into global markets.
 

Your project proposal must support one of the following priorities:

  • Clean technology
  • Clean resources
  • Digital technology
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Value-added agriculture
  • Health/bio-sciences
     

For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit PrairiesCan’s BSP website or contact a regional office.

For Winnipeg, Manitoba region, please contact:

Telephone: 204-983-4472
Toll Free: 1-888-338-9378
Fax: 204-983-1280

Email: wd.mb-mb.deo@ prairiescan.gc.ca
Mailing Address: MacDonald Building
4th Floor, 344 Edmonton St
Winnipeg MB R3B 2L4

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Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit

The Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit (SBVCTC) provides a non-refundable Manitoba tax credit of up to 45% to individuals and corporations who acquire equity capital in eligible Manitoba enterprises. The program targets Manitoba companies that want to raise equity from higher net worth individuals, with a minimum investment of $10,000 per investor. Corporations must be pre-approved to issue shares and must demonstrate that they are:

  • A Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) with a permanent establishment in Manitoba;
  • Assets are used in active business;
  • Revenue generated from active business;
  • At least $25,000 cash equity already invested;
  • A small business with:
     - Annual revenue less than $15 million; or
     - Less than 100 full-time equivalent employees
  • At least 25% of employees reside in Manitoba; and
  • Not a Reporting Issuer.


Approved corporations have a $10 million lifetime limit on shares issued.

Investors can invest a maximum of $500,000 per company.

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Prairies Economic Development Canada

Do you have line of sight to the next growth opportunity for your company?  If you’re ready to grow, we’re ready to talk. 

Prairies Economic Development Canada offers interest-free, repayable growth capital to incorporated small and medium-sized companies who are looking to expand into new markets, increase their productivity and capitalize on changing market conditions.

Our Jobs and Growth Fund is designed to support inclusive job creation, enhance competitiveness and build resiliency as your business grows.  The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program is tailored to help companies accelerate their growth by supporting productivity innovation, scale-up activities and technology commercialization.  

Apply today, or contact our Manitoba office (1-888-338-9378 or wd.mb-mb.deo@prairiescan.gc.ca) to discuss either of these opportunities.