Regional Tariff Response Initiative — Non-Repayable Stream (FedDev Ontario)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable grants of $125,000 to $1,000,000 for southern Ontario businesses impacted by U.S. and Chinese tariffs. Covers up to 50% of eligible project costs for productivity enhancements, supply chain diversification, market expansion, and technology adoption. Steel and automotive supply chain companies receive priority. Projects must address tariff impact through digitization, automation, reshoring, or market diversification. Retroactive costs allowed back to March 21, 2025. Once-per-business lifetime restriction on non-repayable funding.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit business incorporated and registered in Canada or Ontario for at least 3 years
- Located and operating in southern Ontario with a physical business address (not P.O. box, co-working space, or residence)
- Minimum 5 full-time equivalent employees in southern Ontario (part-time counted proportionally at 35+ hours/week standard)
- Maximum 499 FTEs across the entire business
- Was a viable business before tariffs imposed (before March 21, 2025)
- Must demonstrate 25%+ sales in tariff-targeted markets OR documented direct tariff impact (cost increases, revenue loss, supply chain disruption)
- No active FedDev Ontario project or concurrent application
- A business may only receive non-repayable RTRI funding once during the initiative's lifetime
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $125,000 to $1,000,000 (non-repayable)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing — rolling intake until funds exhausted
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win Regional Tariff Response Initiative — Non-... — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 12-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
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for Regional Tariff Response Initiative? Our Financial Projections Model ($29) covers the cost-share, matching-fund, and cash-flow math reviewers want to see. 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 TipExplicitly select 'Non-repayable RTRI' on the application form — failure to specify can result in being assessed for the repayable stream only. Line up your 50% matched funding before submitting, as in-kind contributions are NOT accepted as matching. Steel and automotive supply chain companies receive documented priority treatment. Quantify your tariff impact with specific dollar amounts: a letter from a US customer cancelling orders or an import cost analysis showing percentage increases in material costs is far stronger than general narrative about trade uncertainty. You must complete the self-screening tool before the application form unlocks. Costs are retroactive to March 21, 2025, so if you have already invested in tariff response activities, those count toward your project.
Success Profile
Southern Ontario manufacturer with 20-150 employees, 5+ years in operation, documented tariff-related revenue decline or cost increases of 15%+ since March 2025, pursuing equipment upgrades, automation, supply chain diversification, or market expansion into non-US markets. Has matched funding readily available (bank statements confirming). Ideally in steel, automotive, or related supply chain sectors. Physical headquarters and operations in southern Ontario.
Evaluation Criteria
Assessed on: demonstration of specific tariff impact on business operations (quantified revenue loss or cost increases); project alignment with RTRI objectives (productivity enhancement, growth, market diversification); financial viability prior to March 21, 2025; strength of market opportunity and competitive position improvements; risk mitigation strategies; broader economic benefits beyond the applicant company. Steel and automotive supply chain companies receive documented priority treatment. Southern Ontario location, Canadian ownership, and demonstrated organizational capacity are priority consideration factors.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 12
Eligible Expenses 8
- Purchase and installation of machinery, equipment, and software directly related to the project
- Renovation, site, or leasehold improvements directly connected to installing specialized project assets (excluding land or building purchases)
- Incremental employee salaries and benefits for project-specific activities (labour costs must be incurred in Canada)
- Fees paid to professional and technical personnel, consultants, engineers, or contractors directly related to project activities
- Marketing and outreach for project activities
- Training and talent development directly related to the project
- Direct materials for project completion
- Project facilities and infrastructure improvements
Ineligible Expenses 11
- Land or building purchases
- Personal vehicle purchases or leases
- Regularly scheduled capital expenditures or asset replacement
- Ongoing operational or production costs
- External consultants hired to prepare the application itself
- Hospitality and entertainment expenses
- Raw materials for regular production operations
- In-kind contributions as matching funds
- Refinancing of existing debts
- Motor vehicle costs
- Costs incurred before March 21, 2025
Intake Periods
Continuous intake — accepting applications on an ongoing basis until funding is fully committed. No fixed intake windows. Rolling assessment. Projects must complete by March 31, 2028. Retroactive costs eligible back to March 21, 2025.
Deadline Notes
Rolling intake — apply early, demand is high. Retroactive costs allowed back to March 21, 2025. Once-per-company lifetime restriction on non-repayable funding. The repayable stream offers $125,000-$10,000,000 at 75% cost-share for businesses needing more capital. All projects must complete by March 31, 2028. Program launched March 2025 with $450M, expanded to $1B over 3 years as of September 2025.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses incorporated less than 3 years
- Companies with fewer than 5 FTEs in southern Ontario or 500+ FTEs overall
- Businesses located outside southern Ontario (no physical address — P.O. boxes, co-working spaces, and residences do not qualify)
- Companies that were not financially viable before March 21, 2025
- Businesses with an active FedDev Ontario project or concurrent FedDev application
- Non-profit organizations (separate stream may apply)
- Businesses that have already received non-repayable RTRI funding (once-per-lifetime restriction)
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskHow Regional Tariff Response Initiative — Non-... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Tariff Response Initiative —... | $125,000 to $1,000,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing — rolling intake... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... | Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual Intake |
| Creative Industries Funding | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing (multiple... |
| FedDev Ontario Funding | Varies | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Regional Tariff Response Initiative — Non-...