New Brunswick Indigenous Business Grants 2026
Comprehensive guide to 11 indigenous business funding programs in New Brunswick
New Brunswick Indigenous Business Funding
Indigenous entrepreneurs in New Brunswick can access 11 specialized funding programs — federal grants, provincial supports, and targeted Indigenous-focused funds — covering sectors from agriculture and agri-food processing to tourism, ocean industries, and workforce training. The strongest starting point for most Indigenous-led businesses in NB is the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital), which connects you to Indigenous Financial Institutions province-wide, alongside federal programs such as AgriDiversity and the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program that target under-represented founders directly.
Available Programs (11)
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $500,000
Supported community-led projects that create jobs and economic opportunities in communities across Canada (program now closed).
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $250,000 per project
Supports the development and adoption of assurance systems, standards and certifications to meet buyer and market demands for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $200,000 per year (50% of costs)
Supports under-represented groups in agriculture (such as women, Indigenous peoples, youth, persons with disabilities) to develop skills, gain knowledge and grow their businesses.
Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
A national plan with various funding initiatives to support marine safety, environmental protection, and Indigenous partnerships in ocean protection.
Organization: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $100,000
Supports the development of Indigenous tourism experiences and businesses through grants (often project-based funding for product development, marketing, etc.).
Organization: Canadian Heritage
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Offers numerous grants and contributions programs supporting culture, heritage, official languages, Indigenous languages and sport (e.g., Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Canada Book Fund, Athlete Assistance Program, etc.).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000 (community stream)
Supports projects that empower seniors, encourage social participation and inclusion of seniors, and improve their quality of life, including small community-based grants and larger pan-Canadian projects.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports skills development and employment training for Indigenous peoples through funding agreements with Indigenous service delivery organizations across Canada.
Organization: Indigenous Services Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Provides access to capital and business opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs by supporting a network of Indigenous Financial Institutions that offer loans and financing for Indigenous-owned businesses.
Organization: Government of New Brunswick - Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to 100% of costs, max of $90,000 over program duration
Offers funding for R&D, agricultural innovation, and technology demonstration within the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-science sectors in New Brunswick.
Organization: Government of New Brunswick
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to 50% of costs, to a max of $100,000
Provides financial assistance for the purchase of specialized and/or automated equipment to increase efficiency, quality, and productivity for New Brunswick's agri-food processors.
Who These Programs Are For
If you're a First Nations entrepreneur starting your first business
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital) is designed precisely for your situation: it connects Indigenous entrepreneurs to a network of Indigenous Financial Institutions that provide financing where conventional banks may not. Because it routes through community-based lenders, the process is culturally informed and does not require the same collateral profile as a commercial loan. If your business touches agriculture — growing, processing, or selling agricultural products — the AgriDiversity Program explicitly names Indigenous peoples as a priority group and covers up to half of eligible costs. For workforce training to build the capacity of your new operation, the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program funds the skill-development side of getting your team ready.
If you're an Indigenous-led business ready to scale
At the growth stage, two programs on this page stand out. The Indigenous Tourism Fund (up to $100,000) is purpose-built for Indigenous tourism product development and marketing — if your business offers cultural, land-based, or experiential travel, this is a sector where Indigenous identity is a competitive advantage, not just an eligibility checkbox. For businesses in the agriculture or agri-food value chain, the AgriAssurance Program (up to $250,000 per project) supports the development of quality standards and certifications that open premium markets. The SCAP — Advancing Agri-Food Processing Program (New Brunswick) (up to 50% of costs, to a max of $100,000) adds a provincial layer for equipment upgrades that increase processing efficiency.
If you're a community-owned or economic-development enterprise
Community-scale ventures have access to the broadest program mix here. The Canadian Heritage Funding Programs covers Indigenous languages, cultural spaces, and heritage projects that form the economic backbone of many community enterprises. The Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions) explicitly names Indigenous partnerships as a priority and is relevant to First Nations and Mi'kmaq or Wolastoqey (Wolastoqiyik) communities with marine or coastal economic interests. The Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation (New Brunswick) program (up to 100% of costs, max $90,000) offers unusually high cost coverage — potentially full reimbursement — for R&D and innovation projects in the agriculture sector, making it well-suited to band-owned farming or agri-science operations.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Programs — Side by Side
Three programs on this page fund different parts of the agriculture value chain. Here is how they compare:
| Program | Best for | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| AgriDiversity Program | Indigenous entrepreneurs learning or expanding in agriculture; skills, knowledge, and business growth | Up to $200,000 per year (50% of costs) |
| Enabling Agricultural Research & Innovation (NB) | R&D, technology demonstration, agricultural innovation within New Brunswick | Up to 100% of costs, max $90,000 |
| SCAP — Advancing Agri-Food Processing (NB) | Equipment purchases for agri-food processors to increase efficiency and productivity | Up to 50% of costs, max $100,000 |
Note: AgriDiversity is federal (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada); the NB programs are provincial. Stacking eligibility depends on individual program rules — verify with program officers before applying to both.
Indigenous-Focused Programs — Side by Side
These programs explicitly name Indigenous peoples or organizations as the primary or priority eligible group:
| Program | Best for | Funding type |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital) | Indigenous entrepreneurs needing startup or growth financing via Indigenous Financial Institutions | Varies (access to capital / loans) |
| Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program | Indigenous-led organizations delivering skills and employment training | Varies (contribution agreements) |
| Indigenous Tourism Fund | Indigenous-owned tourism businesses — product development, marketing, cultural experiences | Up to $100,000 (grant) |
Community and Cultural Programs — Side by Side
| Program | Best for | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Heritage Funding Programs | Cultural spaces, Indigenous languages, heritage, arts — broad umbrella with multiple sub-programs | Varies |
| Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions) | Coastal and marine communities, including Indigenous partnerships in ocean stewardship | Varies |
| New Horizons for Seniors Program | Community organizations running projects that support and include seniors — including Indigenous elders | Up to $25,000 (community stream) |
Which Program Should You Apply to First?
→ Start with AgriDiversity Program (if you are an Indigenous entrepreneur seeking skills or business growth funding at the federal level), then layer in Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation NB for any R&D component and SCAP — Agri-Food Processing NB for equipment costs.
→ Indigenous Tourism Fund (up to $100,000) is the primary program. Also explore Canadian Heritage Funding Programs if your enterprise involves Indigenous language or cultural heritage.
→ Canadian Heritage Funding Programs for cultural and language projects; Ocean Protection Plan if you have a marine or coastal mandate; Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation NB for agri-science at near-full cost coverage.
→ Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital) through Indigenous Financial Institutions is the right first step. Build the business track record, then pursue grant programs in your sector.
→ Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program funds training organizations delivering employment-readiness programs for Indigenous peoples.
→ Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions) supports Indigenous partnerships in marine safety and environmental protection. Funding varies by project scope.
Where Indigenous Entrepreneurs in New Brunswick Get Local Support
Program eligibility is only part of the picture. Knowing where to get hands-on help with applications significantly improves your chances of success.
Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is one of Atlantic Canada's most established Indigenous economic-development organizations, providing advisory services and support to First Nations entrepreneurs and communities across the region, including New Brunswick. Connecting with JEDI early in your planning process can help you identify which programs are realistic for your stage, and can support you through the application process.
Ulnooweg Development Group is an Indigenous-led financial institution serving Atlantic Canada. As part of the network supported by the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital), Ulnooweg offers loans and business support to Indigenous entrepreneurs who may not qualify for conventional financing. If you are in the early stages and exploring the access-to-capital route, Ulnooweg is the key local point of contact.
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) operate in rural communities throughout New Brunswick — including areas around Miramichi, Bathurst, and Edmundston — and offer advisory support, loan financing, and connections to federal programs including those listed on this page. While not Indigenous-specific, CBDCs actively serve rural and remote communities where First Nations businesses are often located.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal regional development agency that funds business development, innovation, and trade across Atlantic Canada. Several federal programs accessible to Indigenous entrepreneurs in NB flow through or are complemented by ACOA partnerships. ACOA's offices in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John serve as contact points for federal funding navigation.
Opportunities NB (ONB) is New Brunswick's provincial economic-development agency, headquartered in Fredericton. ONB coordinates provincial programs and can connect Indigenous businesses with the two provincial programs on this page — the Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation program and the SCAP Agri-Food Processing program — as well as broader investment and growth supports.
Innovation and entrepreneur support organizations such as Planet Hatch (Fredericton) and Venn Innovation (Moncton and Fredericton) offer startup programming that is open to Indigenous founders and can provide mentorship, network connections, and navigation support alongside these grant programs.
Common Questions About Indigenous Business Grants in New Brunswick
Do I need to be registered as a status Indian or band member to qualify for these programs?
Eligibility definitions vary by program. The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (Access to Capital) and the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program are administered through Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving organizations that have their own membership and eligibility definitions. The AgriDiversity Program names "Indigenous peoples" broadly as an under-represented group in agriculture — applicants should confirm their specific eligibility directly with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The provincial programs (Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation NB; SCAP Agri-Food Processing NB) are open to New Brunswick agricultural businesses more broadly and do not require Indigenous identity as an eligibility criterion, but are included here because they are relevant to Indigenous-led agricultural operations in the province.
Can I stack (combine) multiple programs from this list?
Stacking is possible in principle — for example, an Indigenous-led agri-food business in New Brunswick could potentially access the federal AgriDiversity Program for skills and knowledge development while also applying to the provincial SCAP — Advancing Agri-Food Processing Program for equipment costs, since they cover different expense categories. However, each program has its own stacking rules and many federal programs require disclosure of other government funding received. Always declare all government funding in your applications and verify stacking eligibility with each program officer before you apply.
What is the highest-funded Indigenous-specific grant on this page?
Among the programs with specified amounts, the AgriAssurance Program offers up to $250,000 per project, making it among the larger grants accessible to Indigenous agricultural and agri-food businesses in New Brunswick. The AgriDiversity Program supports up to $200,000 per year (covering 50% of eligible costs). The Indigenous Tourism Fund provides up to $100,000 for Indigenous tourism businesses. The programs without specified amounts — including the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program, the Ocean Protection Plan, and the Canadian Heritage Funding Programs — vary based on project scope and are worth exploring regardless of the listed amounts.
Is there a pitch competition specifically for Indigenous entrepreneurs?
Yes — the Pow Wow Pitch Competition listed in the funding directory below this section is a nationally recognized pitch competition open to Indigenous entrepreneurs across Canada, with awards ranging from $500 to $100,000. It is one of the few Indigenous-specific pitch and award programs in Canada and is worth applying to for entrepreneurs who are comfortable presenting their business concept competitively. The competition also provides visibility and networking value beyond the cash award.
Get the Free 2026 Canadian Grant Guide
50 top grants + application strategies delivered to your inbox
Funding Programs in This Category
New Brunswick indigenous business programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.