FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (Southern Ontario)
Compared with the 242 other application forms we have read
- The heaviest thing to produce is forward financial projections. 7 ask for that.
- States real length limits, about 2,000 words in total. Only 64 tell you how long to write.
- What does not disqualify you: No CRA number if Indigenous; No amount for unselected indicators. 119 record an exemption like this.
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Who actually receives this funding
101 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 105 awards since 2025. Typical award: $750K. Half of all awards fall between $647.1K and $1M. The advertised maximum is $3M — most awards land closer to $750K. 99% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Other fabricated metal products, Other motor vehicle parts, Iron and steel pipe and tube. Top provinces: Ontario 100%. Covers: FedDev Ontario Regional Tariff Response Initiative contributions (repayable and non-repayable awards are reported together). Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.
The typical FedDev Ontario award is $750K — the median of 105 awards since 2025, even though the program advertises up to $3M. In 2025, 101 businesses were funded; 99% were for-profit companies.
Named recipients
Recent recipients include ZF Lifetec (Midland, ON, 2026), ZipGrow Inc. (Cornwall, ON, 2026) and Continental Conveyor (Ontario) Ltd. (Napanee, ON, 2026).
- 2026ZF Lifetec
- 2026ZipGrow Inc.
- 2026Continental Conveyor (Ontario) Ltd.
- 2026Armada Toolworks Ltd.
- 2025CMI Heavy Industries
- 2025Kawartha Metals Corp.
- 2025Walters Inc.
- 2025Integran Technologies Inc.
- 2025Acorn Biolabs Inc.
- 2025Dieform Automation
Show 30 more recipients
- 2025Formedge Inc.
- 2025Titus Steel Company Limited
- 2025A.U.G. Signals Ltd.
- 2025Havelock Metal Co.
- 2025Kit Steel Inc.
- 2025Jahn Engineering Ltd.
- 2025MW Canada Ltd.
- 2025CDN Buildings
- 2025Ideal Roofing Company Limited
- 2025Bleacher Rentals
- 2025Cello Products Inc.
- 2025Etobicoke Ironworks Limited
- 2025Massilly North America Inc. / Massilly Amerique du Nord Inc.
- 2025A.P.S. Metal Industries Inc.
- 2025Indigenous Tourism Ontario
- 2025AarKel Tool & Die
- 2025Hooper Welding Enterprises Limited
- 2025TD Greenhouses Ltd.
- 2025Daybar Industries Limited
- 2025Unique Tool & Gauge Inc.
- 2025Ritch-Meyer Machine & Tool Inc.
- 2025Can-American Stone Spreader Sales Limited
- 2025Central Stampings Ltd.
- 2025Poly-Nova Technologies Corporation
- 2025Pulp Moulded Products
- 2025Canada Perforating Inc.
- 2025SinaLite
- 2025MVA Stratford Inc.
- 2025MAS Precision Parts
- 2025Wellington Perforated Sheet & Plate Inc.
Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure
This program mostly pays for equipment
54% of 122 awards to businesses since April 2023 went to buying equipment or machinery, and 20% to improving or automating operations.
Where the money went share of 122 awards
Buying equipment or machinery54% 66
Projects of this kind typically received $716K since April 2023.
Improving or automating operations20% 25
Projects of this kind typically received $750K since April 2023.
Building or expanding a facility16% 19
Projects of this kind typically received $750K since April 2023.
Real projects funded, in the government’s own words
- To expand steel production and shipping capacity in Hamilton, Ontario.
- To strengthen competitiveness by expanding its production capabilities at a new manufacturing facility and diversifying into new markets.
- To expand domestic service and manufacturing capabilities at its facility in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, Ontario.
Entering new markets or exporting5% 6
Real projects funded, in the government’s own words
- To support commercialization of a flagship product in targeted international markets by establishing dedicated Ontario‑based sales functions for market expansion.
- Other project types 5%developing a new physical product, adopting existing technology, marketing and sales
Rare here: marketing and sales (<1%). Almost none of these projects created something new; most bought or expanded something that already exists.
Real projects funded in the government’s own words
Buying equipment or machinery
- To modernize manufacturing operations and increase efficiency by acquiring and installing advanced production equipment to streamline fabrication processes.
- To invest in a state-of-the-art robotic welding line.
Improving or automating operations
- To replace its manual paint processes with a fully automated system to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness, and expand into new markets.
- To modernize a manufacturing facility through advanced automation and digital workflows.
Where in a company’s journey it pays
Most staged projects here were at the grow what works stage (77%).
- 0%Explore an idea
- <1%Build something new
- <1%Test and prove it
- 2%Launch it
- 77%Grow what works
The other 20% were not staged projects (hiring, advice, events) or did not say.
More about these projects
New, or more of what already works?
The remaining 8% were a mix of both, or the description did not say.
- 80%Leaves a physical asset behind
- 7%Aimed at markets outside Canada
- 2%Claims an environmental benefit
How we know: we read the government’s published description of each award; an AI classifier sorted them, and we hand-checked a sample (92% correct). Individual awards can be misfiled, so read the shares as approximate. 26 more awards had descriptions too vague to sort and are left out. Federal disclosure lists awards above $25,000 only. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
One FedDev Ontario initiative for southern Ontario businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, with a single application form. Since the September 2026 expansion it offers liquidity assistance (up to $2 million non-repayable, up to 50% of eligible costs, based mainly on 50% of average monthly payroll for up to 12 months) and pivot projects (up to $1 million non-repayable for projects with local or regional economic benefits, up to 50% of eligible costs; interest-free repayable funding of up to 75% of costs for projects over $1 million). A business can combine liquidity and a non-repayable pivot project for up to $3 million non-repayable, with total RTRI funding capped at $20 million. Pivot projects cover productivity, supply chain resilience, market diversification, and automation or digitization. Pivot costs can start up to 12 months before you submit. Liquidity support must end by March 31, 2028 and pivot projects by March 31, 2029.
Eligibility Requirements
- Incorporated for-profit business located and operating in southern Ontario, with at least $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your last two fiscal years
- Located and operating in southern Ontario with a physical business address (not P.O. box, co-working space, or residence)
- No minimum employee count is published on FedDev Ontario's current RTRI pages
- No maximum employee count is published on FedDev Ontario's current RTRI pages
- Was a viable business before tariffs (attestation, financial information and operating history; businesses established after March 21, 2025 may be considered case by case)
- Must demonstrate tariff impact, for example: operating in a Section 232 or 338 tariff-impacted sector (including as a supply chain partner to an exporter), at least 25% of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or significant tariff-driven cost increases, supply chain disruption or lost revenue or customers
- You may have an active project with FedDev Ontario, but the RTRI project must be distinct and separate — and you can only have ONE open application to FedDev Ontario at a time, across any of its open programs
- Non-repayable funding is capped at $3 million per business in combination ($2 million liquidity plus $1 million pivot project); previous RTRI recipients may be eligible for liquidity support if costs are not already funded by an existing agreement
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $3,000,000 non-repayable ($2,000,000 liquidity assistance plus $1,000,000 pivot project, each up to 50% of eligible costs); pivot projects over $1,000,000 are interest-free repayable (up to 75% of costs); $20,000,000 total cap
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing - FedDev Ontario is accepting applications
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Moderate — standard application process
Moderate competition — prepare a strong application
Complex — detailed documentation needed
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipDecide what you need before you open the form: liquidity assistance (needs a 12-month cash flow forecast, last month's payroll records and a commitment to keep jobs and operations in Canada), a pivot project, or both.
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
How FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response ... judges your application
What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.
Distilled from 6+ source documents on feddev-ontario.canada.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-04.
6 of the sources
- GrantCompass record 249
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative in southern Ontario
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses: How funding works
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses: How projects…
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses: When to apply
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses: Application…
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What FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response ... favours
Strong evidence-based rationale, market demand and viable project plan◦
“A strong evidence-based rationale for your project with supporting details on market demand/opportunity and performance with a clear and viable project plan should be included.”
The form
Self-screening
- 1Indigenous self-identificationselectionno limit
- 2incorporation ageselectionno limit
- 3location and place of activityselectionno limit
- 4employee countsselectionno limit
- 5pre-tariff viabilityselectionno limit
- 6tariff exposure or impactselectionno limit
Business profile
- 7Application for Funding Q1 — Legal name of the businessshort answerno limit
- 8Application for Funding Q5-6 — CRA business number / band numbershort answerno limit
- 9Application for Funding Q8 — The company, its founders and its operationswritten answerno limit
We want a full picture of your company, its founders and your business operations. Answer all parts of the question. Describe your markets and how your business serves its customers. Provide background information on key shareholders, board of directors and your management team, as well as any major projects recently completed. Indicate how many full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) are located in southern Ontario and how many employees are located outside of southern Ontario.
- 10Application for Funding Q11-13 — Employee counts by categorytableno limit
- 11Application for Funding Q19-20 — Authorized Project and Financial Contactsshort answerno limit
Project basics
- 12Application for Funding Q22 — Which RTRI instrument you are requestingselectionno limit
- 13Application for Funding Q23-24 — Project start and end datesshort answerno limit
- 14Application for Funding Q25 — Principal project addressshort answerno limit
- 15Application for Funding Q26 — Activities on federal landsselectionno limit
Project narrative
- 16Application for Funding Q28 — Project planwritten answerno limit
Please describe your project plan and include the detailed steps required to successfully achieve your expected outcomes. Your plan should demonstrate links to the eligible project activities as listed under Section 1. Who can apply.
- 17Application for Funding Q29 — Objective, outcomes and benefitswritten answerno limit
- 18Application for Funding Q30 — Clean growth benefitswritten answerno limit
- 19Application for Funding Q31 — Gender, diversity and equitytableno limit
- 20Application for Funding Q32 — Key project partnerswritten answerno limit
- 21Application for Funding Q33 — Tariff impact, market diversification and competitive positionwritten answerno limit
- 22Application for Funding Q34 — Risks and mitigationwritten answerno limit
- 23Application for Funding Q35 — Why financial assistance is requiredwritten answerno limit
Results and budget
- 24Application for Funding Q36 — Project results (indicators)tableno limit
- 25Application for Funding Q37-38 — Project budget and financingtableno limit
- 26Application for Funding Q39 — Government funding received in the last 5 yearsyes/no + writtenno limit
- 27Application for Funding Q40 — Financial capacity and performancewritten answerno limit
Certification
- 28Application for Funding — Certificationcheckboxno limit
Supplementary form
- 29Supplementary Form Q1 — Legal name of applicant organizationshort answerno limit
- 30Supplementary Form Q2 — Primary sectorselectionno limit
- 31Supplementary Form Q3a — Sales in tariff-targeted marketstableno limit
- 32Supplementary Form Q3b — Which markets, and how tariffs changed operationswritten answerno limit
- 33Supplementary Form Q4 — How trade disruptions directly affected operationswritten answer · 3,000 characters
- 34Supplementary Form Q5 — Economic benefits to the local economy or regionwritten answer · 3,000 characters
- 35Supplementary Form Q6 — Canadian ownershipwritten answer · 3,000 characters
- 36Supplementary Form Q7 — Steel inputs (steel sector only)written answer · 3,000 characters
bar = length the funder allows, from its stated limits
Judged against
- 1
How badly do tariffs hurt this business?
Show them Quantify the cost, price, revenue or employment change and attach the import/export records, invoices or sales reports that prove it.◦
In the funder’s words · 1
- Degree to which the company and/or sector are impacted by tariffs;
- 2
What will the project actually deliver?
What to show, and the funder’s 4 criteria behind it in Premium
- 3
Can they plan, budget and pay for it?
What to show, and the funder’s 5 criteria behind it in Premium
- 4
Does it strengthen the region and Canada?
What to show, and the funder’s 3 criteria behind it in Premium
Where applicants fail
“Failure to do so may result in your application not being assessed.”
“Your company may be deemed ineligible without this information.”
Premium · the rest of this brief
See all 11 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.
9 more rules that can reject you · 12 more criteria · 34 more prompts
Do you pass?
Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.
Your business
Located in southern Ontario
Be located and operating in southern Ontario at the time of your application
Incorporated 3+ years in Canada
Be incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario for at least the past 3 years.
2 things this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.
Documents to attach
Ticks are kept on this device.
The money
Non-repayable request range$125,000 to $1,000,000
Businesses can normally request a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in non-repayable contribution funding.
Stacking limit90% total; 100% Indigenous-led
Total government assistance (federal, provincial and municipal) cannot exceed 90% of total eligible project costs. Government assistance is permitted up to 100% of eligible costs for projects led by Indigenous applicants.
Retroactive costsUp to 12 months prior
Costs may be retroactive to up to a 12-month period prior to the receipt of a signed funding application, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.
Payment timingReimbursed against approved costs incurred
Funding will be reimbursed based on approved costs incurred and claimed throughout the project's duration.
Matching confirmationConfirm matching sources within 30 days
If a project is approved, you will be expected to confirm all sources of the matching funding (e.g., bank statements, and other government funding) within 30 days.
Your shareFedDev up to 50%; applicant at least 50%
Eligible project costs are shared between FedDev Ontario and the applicant as follows: FedDev Ontario – up to a maximum of 50%; Applicant – a minimum of 50%.
StackingGovernment aid max 90%; 100% Indigenous-led
Total government assistance (federal, provincial and municipal) cannot exceed 90% of total eligible project costs. Government assistance is permitted up to 100% of eligible costs for projects led by Indigenous applicants.
Costs before approvalUp to 12 months prior to application
Costs may be retroactive to up to a 12-month period prior to the receipt of a signed funding application, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.
What it pays for · 8
- Machinery and equipment: the purchase and/or installation of equipment, machinery or software directly related to, or necessary for, the completion of the project.
- Project facilities and infrastructure: costs for renovation, site or leasehold improvements directly related to the purchase or installation of specialized equipment or assets related to the project.
- Labour: incremental salaries and benefits for individual employees directly related to completing the activities of the project, other than those covered under Expertise (contracted services) or Project Management costs. Labour costs must be incurred in Canada.
- Expertise: incremental fees paid to professional and technical personnel, consultants, engineers or contractors.
- Marketing and outreach: where relevant to the project, include costs to promote project activities, commercial demonstration of products, processes and services resulting from the project, translation and other related costs.
- Training and talent: where relevant to the project, include training sessions, course material, external trainers and other reasonable costs such as training and talent costs not covered by another cost category.
- Materials: cost of direct materials used for the completion of the project, including materials to configure and test production systems, prototypes and product testing, and for software or other non-capital equipment.
- Eligible project costs must be reasonable, verifiable, incremental, and directly support project activities.
What it does not pay for · 7
- Eligible project costs do not include ongoing costs of production or operations.
- Eligible costs exclude regularly scheduled capital expenditures, asset replacement and/or purchase/lease or operations of personal motorized vehicles and off-site equipment.
- The purchase of land, or building(s) is not eligible.
- Eligible costs exclude costs of external (third-party) consultants paid to prepare an application.
- Eligible costs exclude hospitality and entertainment costs.
- Eligible costs exclude raw materials and materials consumed for regular operations or for inventory.
- Costs deemed unreasonable, non-incremental and/or not directly related to project activities, for example: land and building acquisition, entertainment expenses, motor vehicle costs, refinancing of existing debts and more.
From application to money
- Run self-screening firstComplete self-screening tool before applying
- Submit the PDF applicationSubmit PDF application with all attachments
- Acknowledgement email arrivesAcknowledgement email confirms application time
- Sign within 30 daysSign contribution agreement within 30 days
- Project windowMarch 31, 2028Start March 21, 2025; end March 31, 2028
- Report performanceSubmit performance reports during project
In the funder’s words · 6
- Run self-screening first
- Applicants should complete the self-screening tool prior to completing an application form.
- Submit the PDF application
- Download the Application for Funding and the supplementary form, complete both offline in Acrobat Reader 10 or later, attach every mandatory document inside the PDF, and submit from inside the PDF.
- Acknowledgement email arrives
- You will receive an email notification acknowledging the time and date of your application.
- Sign within 30 days
- you will be expected to sign a contribution agreement within 30 calendar days of being notified.
- Project window
- The start date cannot be before March 21, 2025. Projects must be completed no later than March 31, 2028.
- Report performance
- Recipients will also be required to submit reports and other statements that provide details on project performance and comply with official languages and visibility and funding acknowledgement requirements in the contribution agreement.
Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.
Everything you need to win FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response ...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 13-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 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
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 13
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 12
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskHow FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response ... Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response ...