Understanding Your Scores
Every program in the database is rated on three dimensions. Together, they give you a quick read on whether a program is worth your time and effort. Here is what each one means.
Pro tip: The sweet spot is programs with Ease 4+ combined with Competition 1-2. These are your highest-probability wins. Filter the Explore page by sorting on Ease to surface them quickly.
Reading Insider Tips
Insider Tips are practical insights you will not find in official program guidelines. They come from three sources:
- Grant consultants who have submitted dozens of applications to the same program and know what reviewers actually look for.
- Successful applicants who have been through the process and learned what made the difference between approval and rejection.
- Program officers who have shared (publicly or in information sessions) what they wish more applicants knew before applying.
These tips are deliberately specific. Instead of generic advice like "write a strong proposal," you will see things like "mention community impact in the first paragraph" or "budget line items under $500 do not need receipts."
How to act on Insider Tips
- Read the official guidelines first. Insider Tips supplement official requirements. They do not replace them.
- Cross-reference. If a tip mentions a specific section of the application, open that section and read it alongside the tip.
- Use them during revision. Write your first draft using official guidelines, then revisit it with Insider Tips to strengthen weak areas.
- Note the date. Programs evolve. If a tip feels outdated, trust the official source and contact the program office to confirm.
Pro tip: Insider Tips are especially valuable for programs rated Difficulty 3+. The higher the complexity, the more likely a small tactical insight will separate your application from the pile.
Using Stacking Partners
Stacking means applying for multiple complementary funding programs to cover different parts of the same project. This is not only allowed by most programs, it is often encouraged. The key rule: total government assistance (federal + provincial combined) typically cannot exceed 75% of eligible project costs.
Each program listing in the database includes a Stacking Partners field that shows which other programs pair well with it. These are not random suggestions. They are based on how the programs define eligible expenses and where the overlap is minimal.
IRAP + SR&ED: The Classic Stack
This is the most common stacking combination for Canadian technology companies. Here is how it works:
- IRAP covers up to 80% of eligible labour costs for your R&D project. The average contribution is around $500,000.
- SR&ED covers the remaining out-of-pocket R&D spending via a 35% investment tax credit (for CCPCs on the first $3M).
- Net result: Your effective R&D cost drops dramatically. IRAP pays most of your people, then SR&ED gives you a refund on what you paid yourself.
When you see "SR&ED" listed as a stacking partner on IRAP's program page (and vice versa), this is exactly the kind of combination we are flagging.
How to find stacking partners in the database
Open a program you are interested in
Click any program card in the Explore page to open its detail panel.
Scroll to "Stacking Partners"
In the premium intelligence section, you will see a list of compatible programs by name.
Check the overlap
Review which costs each program covers. The best stacks have minimal overlap in eligible expenses.
Disclose everything
Always tell each program about the other funding you have received or applied for. Non-disclosure is grounds for rejection or clawback.
Pro tip: Apply for the program with the longest processing time first. While you wait, prepare and submit applications for stacking partners. This parallel approach can save you months.
Preparing Your Application
Three premium fields work together to help you prepare a stronger application before you even start writing: Required Documents, Rejection Reasons, and Success Profiles. Think of them as your pre-flight checklist.
Required Documents
Start gathering these before you write a single word of your application. Common documents include business plans, financial statements, articles of incorporation, and project timelines. Having everything ready prevents last-minute scrambles that lead to incomplete submissions.
Rejection Reasons
These are the actual reasons applications get declined. Use them as a negative checklist: go through each reason and confirm your application does not trigger it. Common ones include incomplete financials, vague project descriptions, ineligible expenses in the budget, and missing matching funds confirmation.
Success Profile
This describes the ideal applicant who typically gets approved. Compare your business to this profile honestly. If there is a gap (for example, "typically has 3+ years of revenue" and you are pre-revenue), address it head-on in your application rather than ignoring it.
Pro tip: Read the Rejection Reasons for every program you are considering, even if you decide not to apply. They reveal what government reviewers care about most, and that insight transfers across programs.
Strategic Approach
With 224 programs in the database, the last thing you want to do is apply to everything. Here is how to build a focused, high-probability funding strategy using the intelligence fields.
Start with Ease 4-5
Filter the Explore page by highest accessibility first. These programs have the highest approval rates and give you quick wins to build momentum.
Filter by Province & Industry
Narrow to your actual location and sector. Provincial programs are often less competitive than federal ones for the same funding amounts.
Low Difficulty + Low Competition
This combination is the most efficient use of your time. Simple applications with few competitors means less effort for better odds.
Use Realistic Amounts
The "Realistic Amount" field shows what applicants actually receive, not the maximum. Use this to set accurate funding expectations and plan your budget.
Recommended workflow
- Shortlist 5-8 programs that match your province, industry, and business stage. Bookmark them for quick access.
- Rank by efficiency. Compare the Ease and Difficulty scores. Apply to the easiest programs first to build your track record.
- Check stacking partners. Before applying to each one, review its stacking partners. You may find a natural pair that doubles your funding potential.
- Set realistic expectations. Use the Realistic Amount field to build your financial model. Planning around $50K when the realistic amount is $20K leads to cash flow problems.
- Apply in parallel. Government programs have long processing times (typically 6-12 weeks). Submit multiple applications simultaneously to compress your timeline.
Pro tip: Do not overlook programs with small Realistic Amounts ($5K-$15K). They are often the fastest to process, require the least effort, and serve as credibility builders when you apply for larger programs later.
Resources
These companion pages on GrantCompass will help you go deeper on specific topics. Each one is written with the same practical, no-fluff approach.
Ready to Explore?
Head to the Explore page and start filtering with your new intelligence advantage.
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