Whether you’re just starting a new business or looking to expand or grow your current company, outside funding can be the difference between success and failure. Applying for government grants or third-party financing programs could help support your small business when you need it most.

This grants guide will help Newfoundland and Labrador-based businesses find funding opportunities as we identify small business grants across Newfoundland and Labrador, including specific programs like the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency grants or the Newfoundland and Labrador arts council grants.

Does your business operate in another province? Learn more about all other provincial grants guides.

• Agricultural and Farming grants
• Innovation and Economic Growth grants
• Professional Service and Workforce Training grants
• Startup and Self-Employment grants

Applying for Newfoundland and Labrador Grants

For a business to successfully complete a grants application process, they must provide certain information and documentation necessary to secure funding. All grants will have guidelines that applicants must meet to receive funding. Therefore, when applying, be sure to have the following information at hand:

• The business structure, such as a sole proprietor or partnership, and whether or not the company is incorporated
• The business’s most recent financial statements and information on revenue generation
• Number of workers employed by the business and whether they are full time or part-time
• The proposed business plan or project plan includes project scope, timeline, and budget
• Other sources of funding outside of the program amounts
• How the proposed project or business expansion will affect the Newfoundland and Labrador economy and industry sectors it fits within

Almost all provincial grant applications must show proof that the business can legally operate within Newfoundland and Labrador. For that reason, business licenses and provincial registrations are necessary; therefore, make sure you have registered your business name in Canada.

Who Small Businesses Are Eligible for Grants in Newfoundland and Labrador?

For small businesses to be eligible for funding under any Newfoundland and Labrador grants program, they must meet specific criteria before being approved. For example, in many cases, business owners, entrepreneurs, and individual applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Specific grants will also only fund businesses that have been established within the province for over a year from the application date. The business’s industry sector can also be a huge deciding factor in what type of grants you can apply for.

Overall, it is up to you to determine whether your business or startup fits within the perimeters of the grant criteria to ensure no time and effort is wasted when applying.

Agricultural and Farming Grants

Canadian Agricultural Partnership

What is it?

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a program dedicated to the support of Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture sector. This agricultural partnership provides $37 million in funding by the government to enhance the agriculture, agri-foods, and agri-products sectors within Newfoundland and Labrador. Funding will be used to support job creation, secondary processing, new entrants, economic growth, and food self-sufficiency.

How much is awarded?

Funding is available in the form of a non-repayable reimbursement of up to a maximum of $400,000 over a 5-year period. The money can be utilized in any one year of the program or can be allocated throughout the 5 years.

This amount will be used to cover up to 75% of eligible expenses for for-profit businesses. Non-profit organizations can use the grant to cover up to 100% of eligible costs and up to 75% of capital expenditures.

Who can apply?

Both existing producers and processors and new entrants can apply for funding under this partnership. Existing producers and processors must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and are of at least 19 years of age
• Operate or own a commercial farm, agricultural processing facility, or agri-business within Newfoundland and Labrador
• Be an individual or recognized legal entity able to enter into a contractual agreement with the provincial government
• Possess a minimum of $15,000 in annual gross farm sales reported on your income tax return within three years prior to the application
• Have a completed Environmental Farm Plan within the last five years

In terms of new entrants into the province’s agricultural sector, criteria for this classification show that applicants must also:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of at least 19 years of age
• Be an individual or recognized legal entity able to enter into a contractual agreement with the provincial government
• Have been operating in an agri-business for less than six years within Newfound and Labrador
• Demonstrate they have on-farm work experience, agricultural training or education and illustrate the commercial viability and previous financial investment into the new farming operations
• Provide a business plan with the need for an Environmental Farm Plan on a case-by case basis

For further applicant criteria, read the full program guidelines here.

How to apply?

Completed applications and supporting documentation can be emailed to CAP@gov.nl.ca, or faxed to 709-637-2589. A hard copy can also be sent through the mail to the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources as part of the Agriculture Business Development Division.

Innovation and Economic Growth Grants

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

What is it?

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency aims to support Atlantic Canada-based businesses, including those operating within Newfoundland and Labrador, to further economic growth and industry competitiveness. ACOA funding is divided into four streams:

• Atlantic Innovation Fund: This grant will support small businesses in their endeavours to create and market new products and services, which must meet market demands or adopt new technologies to meet business needs and market opportunities.
• Business Development Program: Funding supports entrepreneurs and business owners expanding an established business or starting a new one. Contributions from this program can be allocated to staff training, quality assurance, marketing activities, efficiency studies, productivity improvements, or environmental management systems.
• Community Futures: Technical support, as well as financial support, are provided to small businesses through this stream, specifically start-ups and established companies within rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Regional Economic Growth through Innovation: Known as REGI, this program supports businesses looking to expand and scale up, implement new technologies, improve productivity, or create new products and find new markets.

How much is awarded?

Funding for the ACOA programs takes the form of financial support or technical support depending on the program. Financial help is provided as loans, loan guarantees or equity financing, while technical support is provided through business counselling, entrepreneurship development, and specialized training.

Who can apply?

Private, for-profit businesses, colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions, non-government research organizations, and provincial Crown corporations are eligible for the Atlantic Innovation Fund.

Entrepreneurs can apply for the Business Development Program while small to medium-sized enterprises can apply for the Business Development Program, Community Futures, and the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation stream.

How to apply?

Contact the ACOA Business Information Services or the ACOA office nearest you to apply to all ACOA programs.

Innovation and Business Development Fund

What is it?

The Innovation and Business Development Fund is a government fund that supports businesses within the oil and gas industry through long-term job creation and economic growth. The program opts to develop the province’s oil and gas sector through collaboration and diversification while strengthening supply and service capabilities in emerging technologies.

How much is awarded?

Funding is awarded in the form of a non-repayable contribution that cannot exceed 50% of the project’s eligible costs, such as labour costs, operating costs, and capital costs. The level of financial support is determined on a project-by-project basis.

It is important to note that other government funding is ineligible as project financing under this program.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are split into two groups, non-commercial entities and commercial entities. Non-commercial entities include industry associations, business development organizations, post-secondary institutions, and other support groups in the province. Commercial entities include businesses, specifically small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within Newfoundland and Labrador.

How to apply?

Contact the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation by email, IBDF@gov.nl.ca, or telephone at 1-800-563-2299, to start the process.

Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Program (EDGE)

What is it?

The Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Program (EDGE) offers government funding to new and existing businesses interested in expanding their presence within the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. EDGE aims to stimulate new private-sector job creations by providing various rebates to approved EDGE-status businesses.

How much is awarded?

Businesses with approved EDGE status can access the below rebates:

• A 100% rebate on provincial corporate income taxes and the provincial health and post-secondary education (payroll) tax for a period of 10 years, if established within the northeast Avalon area, or 15 years if established outside Avalon
• A 50% rebate on federal corporate income taxes for 10 years within the northeast Avalon area, or 15 years if established outside of the northeast Avalon area
• A further 5 year period of partial rebates on provincial and federal income taxes declining by 20% with every year in this phase-out period
• A 100% rebate on municipal property and/or municipal business taxes for 10 or 15 years, followed by a five-year phase-out of such reimbursements (only applies to municipalities participating in EDGE)
• Access to unserviced Crown land for $1.00 where such land is required to implement the company’s business plan

Who can apply?

Businesses must meet certain criteria to gain EDGE status and receive the above rebate incentives and benefits. As such, new and existing companies expanding into Newfoundland and Labrador must have the potential to create and maintain ten new permanent jobs in the province and would not otherwise establish themselves in the region if not for the EDGE incentives.

Businesses must also be prepared to make a minimum capital investment of $300,000 or generate incremental annual sales of $500,000. The new business activity should also have a substantial net benefit to the province’s economy.

How to apply?

Fill in the EDGE application form and the Confidential Statement of Personal Net Worth form before contacting an Economic Development Officer.

Business Development Support Program

What is it?

The Business Development Support Program helps small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with growth opportunities and improvements to their market competitiveness. This applies to businesses that operate within strategic sectors that focus on export markets and/ or improve import substitutions. Funding is available for knowledge development, productivity improvement, market development, and/or professional technical advice.

How much is awarded?

Funding comes in the form of a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum amount of $100,000 per government fiscal year.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for financial support, small to medium enterprises must:

• Operate out of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Have fewer than 100 employees and less than $10 million in sales
• Be able to undertake work identified in the project proposal
• Have the financial capital needed to complete the project
• Operate in a strategic sector as defined by the program
• Be in good standing with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

How to apply?

Contact the Industry, Energy and Technology office near you to apply.

Professional Services and Workforce Training Grants

Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant (CNLJG)

What is it?

The Newfoundland Labrador Job Grant provides financial resources to businesses and organizations to help cover the cost of training existing and future employees.

How much is awarded?

Businesses can receive up to a maximum contribution of $10,000 per year to cover the cost of training existing employees and up to a maximum of $15,000 for training unemployed program participants.

The employer must contribute at least one-third of the total training costs and have a job for all participants at the end of training. However, employers do not need to cover one-third of the training cost should they only train unemployed participants.

Who can apply?

Eligible parties must be a private-sector employer, nonprofit organization, industry association, employer consortia, union, or an Indigenous government or organization, with an established location within Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, applicants must be incorporated or a sole proprietorship, have a Canada Revenue Agency business number and be in good standing with the Registry of Companies and Deeds.

Find out more information on eligibility costs and requirements under the NL Job Grant Program guidelines.

How to apply?

Newfoundland and Labrador government grants like this one can be applied to by first registering on the Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS). Once registered, businesses can apply for the job grant through the portal.

Labour Market Partnerships

What is it?

The Labour Market Partnerships program offers support to employers, employer or employee associations, community groups, and communities in developing and implementing labour market strategies. The funding aims to help businesses deal with labour force adjustments and meet human resource requirements. All activities must involve partnerships and have a defined start and finish date.

How much is awarded?

Funding is provided to cover eligible expenses such as overhead costs like wages and employment training, research or technical studies, and other related project costs. The grant contribution amount is negotiated with program officials on a case-by-case basis.

Who can apply?

Eligible parties include businesses, organizations, individuals, federal crown corporations, municipal governments, tribal councils, and public health and educational institutions.

How to apply?

Individual applicants will need to register in the Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS) to be able to apply online. Head over to the Employer Registration page to start the process. Once registered, use the portal to complete your online Labour Market Partnership application.

Professional Project Grants Program

What is it?

The Professional Project Grants Program put on by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council provides financial support to individual professional artists, collaborations of professional artists, and professional arts groups in their endeavours to create and present works to the broader community. Dance, film, music, multidisciplinary arts, theatre, visual arts, and writing are all creative sectors supported by this program.

How much is awarded?

Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council grants funding has an available $650,000 to be awarded across all arts disciplines in each grant session. An individual applicant can be awarded a minimum of 75% of the funding requested, with one grant allowance in 12 months.

New professional artists, collaborations, and art groups with less than three years of experience can receive a maximum of $6,000. Established professional artists, collaborations, and art groups with more than three years of experience can receive up to a maximum contribution of $15,000.

Who can apply?

In order to apply to this Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council grants program, applicants must be professional artists. To be considered a professional artist, applicants must satisfy at least four of the following criteria:

• The individual has received compensation for their work and is included as business income
• The individual has a record of income or loss attached to the history of their work and the span of their career
• The individual has received public or peer recognition by disseminating critical reviews or appraisals
• The individual has presented their work publicly through exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances, readings, or by other means appropriate to their artistic discipline
• The individual is represented by a dealer, agent, publisher, or another type of professional representative
• The individual spends a reasonable amount of their time dedicated to promoting or marketing their work
• The individual has received professional training in a recognized educational institution or is self-taught within the established practices of the person’s cultural traditions
• The individual has a membership to a professional association relevant to their artistic activity, which is limited under standards by the association or is a trade union appropriate to the artistic activity
• The individual holds the copyright(s) to their work and has received royalties or residual payments based on that copyright

How to apply?

Completed applications must be submitted using the ArtsNL’s online application system.

Consultant Advisory Services (CAS)

What is it?

The Consultant Advisory Services (CAS) is split into two funding streams:

• Business Planning: Individuals and entrepreneurs looking to start their own business and require professional advice to complete a business plan
• Marketing Research, Strategies, and Materials: Business owner working full-time at their business and is seeking professional advice for marketing research, strategies, or materials

How much is awarded?

The business planning stream offers applicants coverage of 75% of total consulting costs to a maximum of $6,500. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% and any amount over $6,500.

Funding for the marketing research, strategies, and materials stream provide coverage of up to 75% of consulting costs to a maximum contribution of $5,000. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% and any amount over $5,000.

Who can apply?

To find out what businesses and individuals are eligible to apply, contact the NunatuKavut Business Centre at 709-896-5722.

How to apply?

The application may be faxed to the NunatuKavut Business Centre at (709) 896-5739 or mailed to P.O. Box 418, Station C, Goose Bay, NL A0P 1C0.

Startup and Self Employment Grants

CBDC Self Employment Assistance (SEA)

What is it?

The Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), a Newfoundland and Labrador nonprofit organization, manages this Self Employment Assistance Program (SEA). The program aims to help unemployed individuals keep their Employment Insurance benefits while launching a new business or taking over an existing business.

The program offers coaching, ongoing technical advice, and financial resources for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

How much is awarded?

Applicants that are receiving or are eligible to receive EI benefits will continue to receive these benefits for up to one year under this program. In addition, technical assistance is also provided in the form of business plan guidance, business training, and/or business counselling.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants must be unemployed and have a current EI claim, or have had EI benefits that ended within the last three years, or have established a benefits period in the last five years prior to the application date, was paid parental or maternity benefits and are re-entering the labour force after having left to care for a new child.

How to apply?

Contact the CBDC Central office to learn more information on applying by emailing mark.whiffen@cbdc.ca, or calling 1-888-303-CBDC.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program (EOP)

What is it?

The Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program (EOP) focuses on supporting individuals within Newfoundland and Labrador to become self-employed by providing funding and technical resources. This is another program under the CBDC organization.

How much is awarded?

Grants of up to $5,000 can be granted per applicant. There is also technical support available in the form of business plan guidance, business counselling, and general business training.

Who can apply?

Individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador that are currently receiving or are eligible to receive Provincial Income Support can apply for funding under this program.

How to apply?

Contact the program’s startup experts to learn about this program’s application process.

Get your grant application off to a good start when your business uses accounting software like QuickBooks Online. Manage the books and run financial reports to ensure you provide the evidence you need to secure funding. Start your free trial today.