This program is currently between intakes. Annual competitive intake — approximately April 1 to May 20 each year. The 2026-27 intake ran April 1–May 20, 2026. Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated August 2026 · Verified against Invest Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Business Inc.) guidelines
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Grant Provincial Between Intakes

Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program (PIVP)

Invest Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Business Inc.)
Maximum Funding
Tier 1: up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 for advanced data/AI);...
Annual - the 2026-27 intake ran April 1 to May 20, 2026 and is now closed; ne...
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
100%
Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program (PIVP) provides up to Tier 1: up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 for advanced data/AI); Tier 2: up to $25,000. Nova Scotia's PIVP provides non-repayable vouchers of up to $15,000 (Tier 1) or $25,000 (Tier 2) to Nova Scotia SMEs that partner with one of nine provincial post-secondary institutions on applied research, prototyping, or technology development projects. Annual - the 2026-27 intake ran April 1 to May 20, 2026 and is now closed; next intake expected April 2027.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Nova Scotia's PIVP provides non-repayable vouchers of up to $15,000 (Tier 1) or $25,000 (Tier 2) to Nova Scotia SMEs that partner with one of nine provincial post-secondary institutions on applied research, prototyping, or technology development projects. Advanced data and AI projects may access up to $25,000 at Tier 1. The program is annual and competitive, with the 2026-27 intake window running April 1–May 20, 2026. Businesses may receive a maximum of four vouchers over their lifetime, with Tier 2 projects building on completed Tier 1 work.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Nova Scotia-registered business in good standing
  • Permanent establishment in Nova Scotia
  • Majority of workforce currently residing in Nova Scotia
  • Fewer than 100 employees
  • Must partner with one of nine eligible Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions (researcher must be at arm's length from the applicant)
  • Maximum four vouchers per business over its lifetime; no more than one active voucher at a time
  • Maximum two distinct Tier 1 projects; each Tier 1 project may have one follow-on Tier 2 project
  • Project costs must be incurred after application submission; costs incurred before approval are at applicant's risk
Provinces
Nova Scotia
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Tier 1: up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 for advanced data/AI); Tier 2: up to $25,000
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 100% of eligible costs
Deadline
Annual - the 2026-27 intake ran April 1 to May 20, 2026 and is now closed; next intake expected April 2027

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win PIVP

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Contact a Regional Business Development Advisor BEFORE starting your application — they can help you identify a compatible post-secondary researcher, shape your project description, and confirm your application meets the current year's criteria.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Contact a Regional Business Development Advisor Reach out to Invest Nova Scotia's advisor for your region at investnovascotia.ca. They help identify eligible post-secondary researchers, confirm project eligibility, and assist with the application.

Required Documents 4

✓ Completed online application form (signed) via investnovascotia.ca/PIVP
✓ Service Provider Form completed and signed by the post-secondary institution researcher

Eligible Expenses 5

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

ACOA — Business Scale-Up and Productivity (BSP) NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program) NS Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) — predecessor program
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How PIVP Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovati... up to $15,000 Easy Reimbursement Annual - the 2026-27...
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program $100,000–$500,000 Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Ocean Supercluster Up to $5 million Hard Reimbursement Call-specific — no open...
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ... Up to 50% of capital costs Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Business Development Program (BDP) - ... Varies (Repayable Contribution) Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about PIVP

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Do I need to find the researcher myself or does Invest Nova Scotia help?
Both. You can identify a researcher yourself using the nine eligible institutions' research directories, but a Regional Business Development Advisor can help match your technical need with the right researcher. Contact them first — it speeds up the process significantly.
Can we apply for Tier 1 and Tier 2 at the same time?
No — you must complete a Tier 1 project first, then apply for Tier 2 to build on that specific work. You cannot hold more than one active voucher at a time. Progression from Tier 1 to Tier 2 is not guaranteed.
Does the program cover our internal staff time on the project?
No — only costs billed by the post-secondary institution (researcher fees, student wages, equipment use, materials, institutional overhead) are eligible. Your internal staff time is not a direct eligible expense.
What happens if the project isn't finished by March 16, 2027?
The voucher lapses. Invest Nova Scotia does not extend project deadlines beyond the program fiscal year. Structure your timeline conservatively, accounting for researcher availability and institution schedules.
Can a technology startup without much revenue apply?
Yes — there is no minimum revenue requirement. The key requirements are NS registration, permanent establishment, fewer than 100 employees, and a clear applied research or prototyping project with a willing post-secondary researcher.

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