Yukon Economic Development Fund (EDF)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Supports projects and initiatives that provide long-term, sustainable economic benefits to Yukoners and Yukon communities, including business innovation, diversification, and competitiveness.
Eligibility Requirements
- Yukon-based business, First Nation government or development entity, municipality, or community/industry association
- Project must provide long-term, sustainable economic benefit to Yukoners or Yukon communities
- Eligible sectors include business innovation, diversification, and competitiveness
- Tier 3 projects ($100K–$500K) require demonstrated capacity to manage large-scale initiatives
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Tier 1: up to $30,000; Tier 2: $30,001–$100,000; Tier 3: $100,001–$500,000 (all: up to 75% of eligible costs)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Territorial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Tier 1: Rolling; Tier 2: April 15 and September 15; Tier 3: January 15
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipContact a program advisor at edf@yukon. ca before writing your application — this pre-screening step is expected by the program and advisors will tell you directly whether your project qualifies and how to frame it. Applications that skip this step and submit cold are more likely to be returned or rejected for misalignment. Frame project outcomes in terms of employment impact and economic diversification, and explicitly address the climate change criterion ('Our Clean Future') even if it is a minor component of your project.
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Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Project does not meet the 3-of-4 Yukon business eligibility conditions
- Project costs are primarily ineligible (e.g., operational/maintenance costs, taxes, real estate)
- Applicant cannot demonstrate 25% minimum co-contribution
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Success Profile
An established or growing Yukon business or First Nation development entity with a clearly defined project that creates local employment, diversifies revenue sources (e.g., entering a new market, developing a new product line, building organizational capacity), and can contribute at least 25% of project costs from non-government sources. Applications with quantifiable employment outcomes and a clear alignment to Yukon's economic diversification goals are strongest.
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Evaluation Criteria
Assessed by program staff and internal committee against: employment impact (number and permanence of jobs created or retained), economic diversification contribution, alignment with Yukon's climate strategy ('Our Clean Future'), organizational eligibility (3 of 4 conditions), co-contribution adequacy (25% minimum), and measurability of project outcomes. Tier 3 also assessed for strategic significance to Yukon's economic development priorities.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 8
- Labour costs for project-specific activities (specialized consultants, technicians)
- Materials and supplies directly required for the project
- Project-specific equipment purchases
- Marketing and promotional activities (trade show travel, market research, website development)
- Training directly related to project implementation
- Professional services (engineering, architecture, environmental consulting for project-specific needs)
- Leasehold improvements and capital construction with documentation
- Technology acquisition and licensing for project-specific applications
Ineligible Expenses 9
- Ongoing operational costs (salaries as general overhead, base rent, utilities)
- Taxes (GST/HST, PST, income tax)
- Real estate and land purchases
- Debt repayment or refinancing
- Equipment maintenance and repairs (non-project)
- Travel at rates above Yukon government rates
- Costs incurred before the funding agreement is signed
- Activities that are a normal responsibility of government
- Duplicate costs already covered by another government program
Intake Periods
Tier 1: Rolling (no fixed deadline),Tier 2: April 15 and September 15 annually,Tier 3: January 15 annually
Deadline Notes
Three separate intake schedules by funding tier. Tier 1 has no fixed deadline. Tier 2 has two annual intakes. Tier 3 has at minimum one annual intake (January 15); a second June 15 intake was referenced in one source but could not be confirmed from official materials.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Organizations that do not meet at least 3 of the 4 Yukon business eligibility conditions
- Non-Yukon businesses with no Yukon operations
- For-profit entities with activities primarily outside Yukon
- Organizations engaged in activities that are a normal government responsibility
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How EDF Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Economic Development Fund (EDF) | up to $30,000 | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Tier 1: Rolling; Tier 2:... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Up to $50 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
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