Grant
Provincial
Active
Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (Employment Nova Scotia)
Maximum Funding
Case-by-case wage incentive (no fixed cap); additional training...
Ongoing
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
Varies
Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive provides up to Case-by-case wage incentive (no fixed cap); additional training and equipment cost support available. START is a wage incentive program that helps Nova Scotia employers offset the cost of hiring unemployed residents. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Approval odds: ~50% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
START is a wage incentive program that helps Nova Scotia employers offset the cost of hiring unemployed residents. Employment Nova Scotia provides a customized wage subsidy — determined case-by-case based on sector priority, wage level, and job-seeker profile — along with optional funding for training and equipment directly linked to the new hire. Applications must be submitted before hiring to qualify.
Eligibility Requirements
- Small or medium-sized businesses, non-profits, or social enterprises with a physical location in Nova Scotia
- Employer must have employees who live and work in Nova Scotia
- Employers headquartered outside Nova Scotia are eligible if they have a Nova Scotia location and NS-based employees
- Application must be submitted and approved BEFORE the new hire begins — no retroactive approvals
- New hire must be a Nova Scotia resident who is unemployed or working less than full-time hours, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, eligible international graduate, or the spouse of a military member with an imminent transfer to Nova Scotia
- Employment must be a minimum of 30 hours per week, with preference for full-time, sustainable positions (15+ hours may be considered for recently established small businesses creating a part-time role that will become full-time, accommodations for persons with disabilities, or where that is the industry norm)
- Whether the position supports a Nova Scotia priority sector (such as digital technologies, ICT, defence and aerospace, energy and cleantech, natural resources, agriculture and fisheries, or housing and construction) is one factor ENS weighs in setting the amount
- The person you hire must also apply for START with the help of a Nova Scotia Works Centre; START cannot be approved without that step
- Must have workplace accident/injury insurance for employees and be in compliance with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies requirements
- Not eligible: jobs paid strictly on commission or by the kilometre, jobs already funded through the LMDA, WDA or Community Services, jobs that displace current employees or people on leave or layoff, summer jobs, and public-service positions
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Case-by-case wage incentive (no fixed cap); additional training and equipment cost support available
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Approval Rate
~50%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipThe most important rule: apply before you hire.
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See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.
Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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The pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 2-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
8 docs
Application Steps
1
Create a LaMPSS employer account Register at lampss.novascotia.ca to access the online application portal. The system requires your business information and NS location details.
Required Documents 8
✓ Online application via LaMPSS (Labour Market Programs Support System) employer account at lampss.novascotia.ca
✓ Description of the position to be filled (job duties, wage, hours)
Eligible Expenses 5
Ineligible Expenses 9
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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2 partners
Compatible Programs
Canada-Nova Scotia Job Grant (CNSJG)
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO)
Combined Funding Potential
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Clawback Risk
Medium Risk
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How Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive | Case-by-case wage incentive | Easy | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Minimum $10 million contribution | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Between intakes — the... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Continuous intake (Core... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive
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Can I apply after I've already hired someone?
No — retroactive applications are automatically disqualified. You must apply and receive approval before the new hire starts. This is the program's hardest rule.
Is the wage subsidy a fixed amount?
No — Employment Nova Scotia determines amounts case-by-case based on your sector, the wage offered, the hours, and the job-seeker's profile. Priority-sector hires typically receive larger subsidies.
Can non-profits apply?
Yes — non-profits and social enterprises with a Nova Scotia location are fully eligible alongside for-profit businesses.
Why do applications get rejected?
Most rejections result from applying after the hire (retroactive), offering under 30 hours a week (outside the limited cases where 15+ hours may be considered), or the new hire not being a Nova Scotia resident who is unemployed or working less than full-time. Weak job quality (contract only, low wage) also reduces likelihood of approval.
Can I combine START with other programs?
Yes — START can be combined with the Canada-NS Job Grant for training costs. Avoid stacking START with Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) on the same hire.
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Full Playbook: Nova Scotia START Hiring Incentive
6 steps · 8 docs · reviewer insights