Comprehensive guide to 10 marketing funding programs in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia businesses can access a range of federal and provincial programs that fund marketing, brand development, digital adoption, and export market expansion. The most relevant options for most businesses are ACOA's Business Development Program, the AgriMarketing Program (for agri-food companies), Creative Export Canada (for creative industries), and the Invest Nova Scotia Export Development Program — all listed on this page.
One thing worth knowing up front: most of these programs are technically market-expansion or export-development programs that cover marketing as an eligible expense, rather than pure "marketing grants." That framing matters when you write your application — you'll have stronger results positioning your project around growing sales, entering new markets, or improving competitiveness than around brand awareness alone.
Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Provides financing, advisory services and venture capital to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses.
Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and economic growth in Atlantic Canada through various programs and funds.
Organization: Pacific Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and economic growth in British Columbia through federal funding programs and services tailored to B.C.
Organization: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and regional economic growth in Quebec through grants and contribution programs.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $250,000 per year (50% of costs)
Supports the development of export markets for Canadian agricultural products through contribution funding for marketing activities and trade shows.
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 (Creative Export Canada)
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $300,000 (or 75% of project costs)
Helps Canadian creative industry companies (film, music, books, etc.) expand to international markets through project funding for export-ready content and marketing initiatives.
Organization: Canada Media Fund
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (grant or recoupable investment)
Supports the creation of Canadian content in television, digital media and interactive platforms through various funding streams (development, production, marketing).
Organization: Telefilm Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports the Canadian audiovisual industry through investments and funding for film, television, and digital media projects (production, development, marketing funds).
Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (Repayable Contribution)
Provides interest-free, repayable contributions to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Atlantic Canada grow, improve productivity, and become more competitive.
Your first stop should be the Business Development Program (BDP) through ACOA. As an Atlantic Canada program designed for small and medium-sized businesses in Nova Scotia, the BDP funds a wide range of business development activities — and building a professional digital presence or brand identity that directly supports sales can qualify as an eligible project cost. The program provides interest-free, repayable contributions, so you're not giving away equity, and the application focuses on the business case for growth rather than marketing theory.
If you're in a creative field — music, publishing, film, interactive media — and your brand-building is tied to launching content for international audiences, Creative Export Canada is a strong match. It covers up to 75% of project costs, which can include marketing materials, website development for export markets, and promotional activities.
Nova Scotia businesses pursuing market expansion have two strong options depending on their sector. The Invest Nova Scotia Export Development Program is purpose-built for this: it provides a reimbursement of up to $15K (50% of eligible costs) for export-development activities including trade shows, market research, and promotional materials for international or out-of-province markets. It is one of the more direct "marketing reimbursement" programs on this page.
For agri-food and agricultural producers, the AgriMarketing Program through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada covers up to $250,000 per year (50% of costs) for marketing activities specifically aimed at developing export markets. Trade show participation, marketing campaigns, and buyer outreach for international markets are all eligible.
For businesses expanding in the Atlantic region through ACOA channels, the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS) provides up to $15K and is also aimed at Atlantic trade and investment promotion activities.
Established businesses with a track record have the strongest profile for the Business Development Program (BDP) through ACOA, which can fund larger-scale marketing investments when tied to a compelling growth plan. The program is open to a broad range of sectors and covers investments in competitiveness, productivity, and market development.
If your business operates in the creative industries — audiovisual content, digital media, music, or publishing — both Telefilm Canada Funding Programs and the Canada Media Fund support marketing as part of broader production and distribution investments. These programs are selective and require that content meets Canadian certification criteria, but for eligible businesses they provide meaningful support for promotional and marketing costs associated with launching Canadian content.
For Indigenous-owned tourism businesses in Nova Scotia, the Indigenous Tourism Fund provides up to $100,000 for tourism product development and marketing, which can include digital marketing components.
| Program | Best for | Funding type |
|---|---|---|
| Business Development Program (BDP) — ACOA | NS/Atlantic SMEs with a broad growth plan; marketing as part of a larger project | Repayable contribution (interest-free) |
| Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Program | NS businesses entering export or out-of-province markets; reimbursement for trade show and market-promotion costs | Grant (50% reimbursement, up to $15K) |
| AgriMarketing Program | Agri-food producers and associations marketing Canadian agricultural products internationally | Grant (50% of costs, up to $250,000/year) |
| Program | Best for | Funding type |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Export Canada | Creative-industry companies (film, music, books, interactive) marketing content to international audiences | Grant (up to 75% of costs, up to $300,000) |
| Indigenous Tourism Fund | Indigenous-owned tourism businesses developing or marketing tourism experiences | Grant (up to $100,000) |
| Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS) | Atlantic Canada businesses focused on trade and investment promotion activities | Program (up to $15K) |
| Program | Best for | Funding type |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Media Fund | Producers of Canadian television, digital media, and interactive content; marketing eligible within some streams | Grant or recoupable investment (varies) |
| Telefilm Canada Funding Programs | Canadian film, television, and digital media projects including marketing and distribution funding | Varies (investment model) |
| Nova Scotia Creative Industries Fund | NS-based creative businesses; up to $30K for project costs that may include marketing | Grant (up to $30K) |
Alongside the programs listed above, Nova Scotia has an active network of organizations that can help businesses navigate funding options, develop marketing strategy, and prepare stronger applications. These bodies do not in themselves provide direct marketing grants, but they are often the most effective first call before applying.
Invest Nova Scotia is the province's primary economic-development agency and administers several programs on this page directly, including the Export Development Program. Their Halifax office works with businesses across the province on export readiness and market expansion, and their advisors can help you identify which federal and provincial programs stack well together.
ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) is the single most important federal partner for Nova Scotia businesses. With regional offices in Halifax and service points across the province, ACOA administers the Business Development Program and the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS). Connecting with an ACOA business development officer before you apply can significantly improve the quality of your application narrative.
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) serve rural Nova Scotia communities from centres like Truro, New Glasgow, Bridgewater, Kentville, and Yarmouth. CBDCs often have direct relationships with ACOA officers and can assist with application preparation for businesses outside of Halifax and Dartmouth.
Halifax Partnership serves as the economic development agency for the Halifax Regional Municipality. For businesses in Halifax and Dartmouth specifically, the Partnership's team can connect you with relevant funding advisors and market-entry resources aligned with your growth goals.
Develop Nova Scotia focuses on economic and infrastructure development in communities outside the Halifax Regional Municipality, with a particular interest in rural and coastal communities. For marketing projects tied to tourism or rural economic development — including in areas like Cape Breton near Sydney — Develop Nova Scotia is worth contacting early.
Volta Labs, based in Halifax, is the Atlantic region's leading startup hub and frequently connects founders with funding navigators who have experience with ACOA and federal programs relevant to early-stage businesses seeking market-development support.
Nova Scotia Works centres, located in communities across the province from Yarmouth to Sydney, sometimes offer business advisory sessions that cover funding access, particularly for early-stage entrepreneurs and micro-businesses building their first marketing presence.
Use this routing guide to find the most likely fit from the programs on this page based on your situation.
Are you an agri-food producer or agricultural association?
→ Yes, and you are marketing to export markets: Start with the AgriMarketing Program (up to $250,000/year, 50% of costs).
→ No: Continue below.
Are you in the creative industries (film, TV, music, publishing, interactive media)?
→ Yes, and your project targets international markets: Prioritize Creative Export Canada (up to $300,000 or 75% of costs). Also explore Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada for production and marketing investments in Canadian content.
→ Yes, and you are based in Nova Scotia with a smaller project scope: Consider the Nova Scotia Creative Industries Fund (up to $30K) via the detailed program page.
→ No: Continue below.
Is your marketing project focused on reaching export or out-of-province markets?
→ Yes: The Invest Nova Scotia Export Development Program (up to $15K, 50% reimbursement) is designed for this. ACOA's Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS) (up to $15K) is also relevant.
→ No — you are focused on building brand presence, digital marketing, or domestic sales growth: Continue below.
Are you an Indigenous-owned tourism business?
→ Yes: The Indigenous Tourism Fund (up to $100,000) covers marketing for Indigenous tourism experiences and can be a strong fit.
→ No: Continue below.
Are you an SME in Nova Scotia (or anywhere in Atlantic Canada) with a marketing project tied to broader business growth?
→ Yes: The Business Development Program (BDP) through ACOA is your most flexible option. Marketing expenses are eligible when they are part of a clearly articulated project that improves your competitiveness, reaches new customers, or supports business development goals. Contact an ACOA business development officer for a pre-application conversation.
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Nova Scotia marketing & growth programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.