Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program (OSGP)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs for Ontario for-profit shipbuilders to fund workforce training, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases that enhance competitiveness or build long-term industry capacity. Part of Ontario's $215M shipbuilding sector investment.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit business operating in Ontario
- Principal business must be the construction, refit, retrofit, repair, or maintenance of marine vessels for commercial, research, passenger transportation, or other special purposes
- Projects must occur within Ontario and be completed within two years
- Applicant must contribute a minimum of 25% of total project costs
- Projects must align with at least one program objective: enhance operational efficiency/productivity, unlock business growth or new opportunities, or build long-term manufacturing/organizational capacity for Ontario's shipbuilding industry
- Program is competitive — meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to 50% of eligible project costs (specific per-project maximum determined by program guidelines)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes — first intake closed September 30, 2025; watch for second intake
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win OSGP — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for OSGP? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThis program is Ontario's first-ever shipbuilding grant — program officers are actively building relationships with the sector. Early engagement with the Marine Partnerships and Development Office ([email protected]) before a second intake opens is advisable to understand evaluation priorities. Frame applications around job creation and skills development, as the broader $215M investment is tied to Ontario's workforce strategy for the marine sector. Projects that address the skills gap (apprenticeships, upskilling for advanced marine technologies) alongside equipment and infrastructure are likely to score highest.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Principal business is not shipbuilding, refit, repair, or maintenance of marine vessels
- Project located outside Ontario
- Project cannot be completed within two years
Success Profile
An Ontario shipyard or marine vessel manufacturer with an established Ontario facility undertaking a major capital or training project — new welding equipment, fabrication hall expansion, CNC cutting technology, or an apprenticeship-based workforce upskilling program — aligned with commercial vessel construction or the federal National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Evaluation Criteria
Ministry evaluates applications on: (1) alignment with program objectives — operational efficiency, business growth, or long-term capacity; (2) economic and employment impact — jobs created or retained, skills development within Ontario's shipbuilding sector; (3) project feasibility — realistic scope, budget, and two-year completion timeline; (4) financial capacity of the applicant to contribute the 25%+ matching requirement; (5) alignment with Ontario's broader $215M shipbuilding investment and the federal National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 5
- Workforce training, upskilling, and apprenticeship programs
- Infrastructure improvements to shipbuilding facilities
- Machinery and equipment purchases directly tied to shipbuilding operations
- Project management costs directly associated with eligible activities
- Installation and commissioning of new equipment
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Land or building acquisitions
- Lease or rental costs for facilities
- General facility maintenance not tied to a capital project
- Marketing and business development activities
- Costs incurred before the transfer payment agreement is signed
Intake Periods
The first intake ran July–September 30, 2025. A second intake has not been announced. Contact [email protected] for timing.
Deadline Notes
The first intake ran July–September 30, 2025, with applications submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). A second intake has not been officially announced as of May 2026. Contact [email protected] for status and next intake timing. Projects must be completed within two years.
Ineligible Organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies and crown corporations
- Businesses not operating in Ontario
- Businesses whose principal activity is not marine vessel construction, refit, repair, or maintenance
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskClawback applies if the project is not completed within two years, eligible expenses are not incurred as approved, or reporting and insurance obligations are not met per the transfer payment agreement. The two-year project timeline constraint means delays can trigger clawback.
How OSGP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program (O... | Up to 50% of eligible project costs | Moderate | Reimbursement | Between intakes — first... |
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| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about OSGP