5 Government Grants Most Canadian Businesses Don't Know About
Every year, Canadian businesses leave billions of dollars in government grants unclaimed. Not because the programs don’t exist — they do, and they’re well-funded. But because most business owners don’t know about them, or assume they won’t qualify without checking.
I’ve been helping Canadian businesses access government funding for over 15 years. The same thing happens constantly: I meet a business owner who’s been investing in technology, improving processes, or exploring new markets — and they have no idea they’ve been doing grant-eligible work the entire time.
Here are five programs I bring up in almost every initial conversation.
1. SR&ED — Scientific Research and Experimental Development
Up to $3M in refundable tax credits.
SR&ED is the largest R&D incentive program in Canada and one of the most misunderstood. Most business owners hear “scientific research” and assume it applies to labs, universities, and deep tech companies. It doesn’t. SR&ED applies to any business that is trying to advance technological knowledge or resolve a technological uncertainty — including in software, manufacturing processes, product development, and operations.
If you’ve built internal tools that didn’t work the first time, developed custom software, modified a process to solve a problem you couldn’t find a standard solution for, or experimented with AI to see what it could actually do — that work is likely SR&ED-eligible.
Who qualifies: Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) doing work that advances technological knowledge in any field. The work has to involve some element of uncertainty — you can’t just be implementing known solutions.
How much: Up to 35% of eligible R&D spending as a refundable tax credit for CCPCs (meaning you get the cash even if you have no tax payable). The federal rate drops to 15% for larger companies.
Real example: A logistics software company in Ontario claimed $420,000 in SR&ED credits for work they’d written off as failed product experiments. The failures were the eligibility.
SR&ED claims require documentation and CRA can audit them, so work with someone who knows the program. But don’t leave three to four years of claims on the table because you assumed you didn’t qualify.
2. AMIC — Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness
Up to $1.5M for Ontario manufacturers.
AMIC is an Ontario government program that most manufacturers outside of the Greater Toronto Area have never heard of. It provides non-repayable grants to Ontario manufacturers to help them adopt advanced technologies, increase competitiveness, and modernize operations.
This is not a loan. It’s a grant.
Eligible projects include automation, robotics, AI integration, advanced manufacturing systems, digital twin technology, and Industry 4.0 upgrades. If you’re a manufacturer that has been putting off a technology investment because of capital constraints, AMIC is worth understanding before you fund it yourself.
Who qualifies: Ontario-based manufacturers with at least 10 full-time employees and operations in an eligible sector. The investment has to be new — you can’t retroactively claim equipment already purchased.
How much: Grants typically cover 15% to 50% of eligible project costs, up to $1.5M depending on the scope and region.
Why most businesses miss it: The application process requires a business case, project plan, and financial projections. It’s not complicated, but it’s not a five-minute form either. Most business owners don’t know the program exists and don’t have the bandwidth to find it.
If you’re a manufacturer in Ontario planning a capital investment in the next 12 months, talk to someone before you write the cheque.
3. NRC IRAP — Industrial Research Assistance Program
Up to $500K for innovative SMEs.
NRC IRAP is the federal government’s flagship program for small and medium-sized businesses doing innovative work. It’s delivered by the National Research Council through a national network of Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) who work directly with companies.
Unlike SR&ED, which is a tax credit you claim after the fact, IRAP provides funding upfront — wages for technical staff and contractors working on innovation projects. For businesses developing new products, processes, or services, this is direct cash flow support.
Who qualifies: Canadian SMEs with fewer than 500 employees, incorporated in Canada, and working on technology-driven innovation. Your ITA will assess fit.
How much: IRAP funding varies widely — from 500K+ for larger innovation initiatives. The NRC also has specific streams for youth employment in technical roles (Youth Employment Program) that stack with core IRAP funding.
The hidden advantage: Your ITA is also a connector. They know other programs, other funding sources, and other companies working on adjacent problems. The relationship is worth more than just the cheque.
What most businesses miss: IRAP requires engagement before the project starts — you can’t go back and claim work already done. Get connected to your ITA early.
4. CanExport — International Market Development
Up to $75K for any business exploring international markets.
CanExport is a Trade Commissioner Service program that most domestically-focused Canadian businesses have never heard of. If you’re starting to look at US, European, or other international markets — even at the research and relationship-building stage — CanExport can fund a significant portion of those early costs.
Eligible expenses include market research, travel to international trade shows, translation and localization, legal and regulatory fees for market entry, and digital marketing targeted at international customers.
Who qualifies: Canadian businesses with at least $100,000 in annual revenue, fewer than 500 employees, and a legitimate interest in exporting to a new market. The target market has to be new — you can’t claim costs for markets where you already have significant sales.
How much: Up to $75K per project, covering 50% of eligible expenses. You spend it first and get reimbursed.
Why this matters in 2026: The CAD/USD exchange rate makes Canadian businesses extremely competitive in US markets right now. The opportunity cost of not exploring US expansion is higher than it’s been in years, and CanExport offsets the cost of doing it responsibly.
Many businesses I talk to are interested in international markets but treat exploration as an expense they’ll get to “when things settle down.” CanExport makes it cheaper to start now than to wait.
5. DMAP — Canada Digital Adoption Program
Up to $15K for any SMB under 500 employees.
DMAP is probably the most accessible grant on this list — and the least known outside of the business advisory community. It’s a federal program that funds SMBs to develop a digital adoption plan and implement new digital technologies.
There are two streams:
Grow Your Business Online ($2,400): For businesses with fewer than 149 employees that want to improve their online presence. E-commerce setup, digital marketing, online sales tools.
Boost Your Business Technology (up to $15K): For businesses with up to 499 employees that want to adopt more complex digital technologies — ERP systems, CRM platforms, AI tools, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure. The grant covers advisory fees from a certified digital advisor.
Who qualifies: Any Canadian SMB registered and operating in Canada with fewer than 500 employees. The scope is deliberately broad.
The catch: You need to work with a certified digital advisor to access the Boost stream. I’m a DMAP-certified advisor, which means I can help businesses access this funding directly and apply it toward the digital transformation work we’d be doing anyway.
Why I mention this last: Not because it’s the least important, but because it’s the one businesses are most likely to qualify for and least likely to know about. The grant amounts are smaller, but the barrier to access is lower than any other program on this list. There’s no reason not to check.
The Common Thread
Every business I work with that qualifies for one of these programs qualifies for at least two. SR&ED and IRAP often stack. AMIC and SR&ED apply to the same manufacturing innovation projects. DMAP and CanExport serve different but complementary purposes.
The reason businesses miss this money isn’t eligibility — it’s awareness. You have to know the programs exist, understand how they’re structured, and know how to document your work in the way CRA or the granting body expects.
That’s what we do.
Run a free grant scan at GrantAndFunding.com. It takes under 2 minutes, covers all major federal and provincial programs, and tells you which ones you’re likely eligible for based on your business profile. No sales call required.
If you want to dig into specifics after that, book a call with me directly.
Hadi Servat is the founder of Digid Inc., a digital transformation advisory firm based in Barrie, Ontario. He is a DMAP-certified advisor, PECB partner, and has helped Canadian businesses access over $10M in government grants and tax credits.