Assess Your Grant Readiness
Before applying, make sure your business is set up for success.
Grant Readiness Checklist
Most grants require these basics. Check what you have:
- Business Registration – Sole proprietorship, corporation, or partnership registered in Canada
- CRA Business Number – Your 9-digit business number from Canada Revenue Agency
- Canadian Bank Account – Business bank account in Canada
- Clear Business Idea – You can articulate what your business does and why it matters
- Project in Mind – A specific project or expense you need funding for
Good News!
You don't need all of these to start. Some startup grants accept pre-revenue businesses, and some don't require incorporation. But having these ready speeds up your applications significantly.
Types of Grants You Can Apply For
Understanding grant types helps you set realistic expectations:
- Non-repayable Grants – Free money you don't pay back (competitive, often 50-75% of project costs)
- Repayable Contributions – Interest-free or low-interest loans disguised as grants
- Tax Credits – Like SR&ED – reduce your taxes based on eligible activities
- Wage Subsidies – Government pays part of your employees' wages
Find the Right Grants
Match your business with grants you actually qualify for.
How to Search for Grants
Filter grants by these key criteria:
- Location – Federal grants are available everywhere; provincial/municipal are location-specific
- Industry – Tech, manufacturing, agriculture, etc. have dedicated funding
- Business Stage – Startup, growth, expansion programs have different requirements
- Funding Purpose – R&D, hiring, equipment, marketing, export – what do you need?
- Owner Demographics – Special programs for women, Indigenous, Black, immigrant entrepreneurs
Pro Tip
Use our Grant Quiz to find matching programs in 60 seconds. It filters 140+ grants based on your specific situation.
Best Starter Grants for First-Timers
These programs are beginner-friendly with straightforward applications:
- Futurpreneur – Ages 18-39, up to $60K + mentorship
- Canada Small Business Financing Program – Government-backed loans up to $1.15M
- Canada Job Grant – 2/3 of training costs covered
- Regional Development Agency Programs – ACOA, FedNor, PrairiesCan, etc.
- Provincial Startup Grants – Check your province's economic development agency
Gather Your Documents
Being organized cuts application time in half.
Essential Documents
Business Registration
Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Registration
CRA Business Number
Your 9-digit BN from Canada Revenue Agency
Financial Statements
Balance sheet, income statement (if operating)
Business Plan
Even a simple one-pager helps
Project Budget
Itemized costs for what you need funding for
Quotes/Invoices
From suppliers for equipment or services
Don't Wait!
Start gathering documents NOW, even before you find a specific grant. Having everything ready lets you apply quickly when you find the right program – before deadlines pass.
Write Your Application
Make your application stand out from the crowd.
Application Writing Tips
- Read the guidelines 3 times – Understand exactly what they're asking for
- Answer EVERY question – Incomplete applications are rejected immediately
- Be specific with numbers – "Increase sales by 25%" beats "grow the business"
- Show how grant helps Canada – Jobs created, exports, innovation
- Proofread everything – Typos suggest carelessness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for Wrong Programs
Don't waste time on grants where you clearly don't meet eligibility requirements.
Vague Project Descriptions
"Grow my business" tells reviewers nothing useful.
Unrealistic Budgets
Padding costs or underestimating expenses raises red flags.
Missing Deadlines
Late applications are never accepted. Period.
Submit & Follow Up
You submitted—now what?
After You Submit
Immediately
Save confirmation email and copies of everything you submitted
1-2 Weeks
If no acknowledgment received, follow up to confirm receipt
2-12 Weeks
Typical review period (varies widely by program)
If Approved
Review contribution agreement carefully before signing
If Rejected
Ask for feedback; revise and apply again or try other programs
Don't Be Discouraged!
Most successful grant recipients applied to multiple programs before getting approved. Each application teaches you something. Keep applying!
Beginner FAQs
Yes! Many Canadian grants are specifically designed for startups and new businesses. Programs like Futurpreneur (for ages 18-39), provincial startup programs, and seed funding grants target early-stage entrepreneurs. Some programs require incorporation, but many accept applications from businesses that are just a few months old.
Most grants do NOT need to be repaid—that's what makes them different from loans. However, some programs offer "repayable contributions" or "conditionally repayable grants" where you may need to repay if your project succeeds financially. Always read the terms carefully. True grants are non-repayable.
Common requirements include: Business registration/incorporation documents, CRA Business Number, business plan, financial statements (if operating), project budget and timeline, owner ID, and sometimes quotes from suppliers. Specific requirements vary by program—always check the application guide.
Approval timelines vary widely: some programs respond in 2-4 weeks, while complex federal programs may take 3-6 months. After approval, funding disbursement can add additional time. Plan your projects assuming grants may take longer than expected.
Yes, you can apply to multiple grants simultaneously. However, you must disclose other applications in most grants and cannot "double-dip"—meaning you can't fund the exact same expense from multiple grants. Strategic stacking of grants for different aspects of your project is common and encouraged.