1 Business Documentation
Business Registration/Incorporation Documents
Articles of incorporation, business license, or sole proprietor registration
Business Number (BN) from CRA
Your 9-digit business number - required for almost all grants
GST/HST Registration (if applicable)
Required if revenue exceeds $30,000/year
Proof of Canadian Ownership
Shareholder agreements or ownership documentation showing Canadian control
Business Bank Account Statements
Last 3-6 months of business banking activity
2 Financial Documents
Financial Statements (Last 2-3 Years)
Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement
Tax Returns (T2 Corporate or T1 Business)
Last 2 years of filed tax returns
Current Year Financial Projections
Revenue and expense forecasts for 12-24 months
Proof of Matching Funds (if required)
Bank statements or investor commitments showing available capital
Pro Tip: Many grants require "matching funds" where you invest $1 for every $1 of grant funding. Have proof of these funds ready before applying.
3 Project Information
Project Description (1-2 pages)
Clear explanation of what you're doing and why
Detailed Project Budget
Line-by-line breakdown of all costs (personnel, equipment, materials, etc.)
Project Timeline/Milestones
When activities will happen and key deliverable dates
Expected Outcomes/Impact
Jobs created, revenue increase, exports, innovation metrics
Quotes for Major Expenses
Vendor quotes for equipment, contractors, or major purchases
4 Supporting Materials
Executive Summary/Company Overview
1-page summary of your business, market, and competitive advantage
Team Bios/Resumes
Key team members' backgrounds showing relevant experience
Letters of Support (if applicable)
From partners, customers, industry associations, or municipalities
Market Research/Validation
Evidence of market demand - customer letters, sales data, market studies
Intellectual Property Documentation
Patents, trademarks, or trade secret documentation (if applicable)
5 Program-Specific Requirements
Read Complete Program Guidelines
Download and review the full application guide - don't skim!
Note All Eligibility Criteria
List every requirement and confirm you meet each one
Check Application Deadline
Mark deadline on calendar - apply at least 1 week early
Identify Evaluation Criteria
Understand how applications are scored and address each criterion
Prepare Required Attachments
List all mandatory attachments and have them ready
Pro Tip: Each grant program has unique requirements. Use this checklist as a starting point, then add program-specific items from the official guidelines.
6 Before Submitting
Proofread Everything
Check spelling, grammar, and formatting throughout
Verify All Numbers Add Up
Budget totals match, dates are consistent, figures are accurate
Have Someone Else Review
Fresh eyes catch mistakes you'll miss
Save Copies of Everything
Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records
Note Confirmation/Reference Number
Save the submission confirmation for follow-up
Your Notes
Your notes are saved automatically in your browser.
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