Top Saskatchewan Grants & Tax Credit Programs for 2024

Eligible businesses located in Saskatchewan can access government funding programs to support a wide range of strategic growth projects, including business expansion, capital investment, hiring and training, and research and development. 

Discover Saskatchewan’s provincial priorities for this year. From supporting small businesses to fueling the oil and gas industry, our comprehensive business funding outlook on the Saskatchewan budget can guide businesses in aligning their projects with the government’s objectives. 

By being proactive and applying for funding prior to the start of a project, businesses can access government grants and loans that boost company investments and improve desired outcomes. Learn more about which government funding programs are currently available for Saskatchewan businesses. 

Federal Programs for Saskatchewan  

Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CJG)  

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CSJG) is a Saskatchewan government funding program that offers training grants to employers. Through the program, companies may receive non-repayable funding from the government to undertake third-party business training programs, including training for in-demand skillsets. Training is expected to improve the employability and value employees can provide; including new hires in these training sessions can also maximize your funding potential. 

• Funding Amount: Non-repayable grant contributions of 66% of training costs (i.e.. course, exams, textbooks, software resources, etc.) up to a max limit of $10,000 per trainee. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Employers must be Saskatchewan-based SME with $2M liability insurance. A chosen trainee must be a resident of Saskatchewan, permanent Canadian citizen, or granted refugee status. 

CanExport SMEs 

The CanExport SMEs Program provides Canadian government grants to support Canadian businesses seeking to develop new export opportunities and markets, particularly high-growth priority markets and sectors, by covering a portion of eligible sales and marketing activities.  

• Funding Amount: Eligible applicants can access up to 50% funding to a maximum $50,000 grant per project.  
• Applicant Eligibility: To be eligible for the CanExport SMEs Program, Canadian businesses must maintain 1 to <500 full-time employees; earn annual revenues ranging from $100,000 to $100,000,000; be federally incorporated or classified as a limited liability partnership (LLP); create eligible project expenses of $20,000 or more; and be financially stable and able to pay all project expenses not covered by the program.  

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) 

The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) is a funding program designed to accelerate the research and development projects of Canadian innovators. Businesses developing and implementing industrial process solutions can apply for research funding contributions through IRAP. However, large-scale technology adoption projects that lead to new, more sustainable capabilities are also considered. 

• Funding Amount: Funds up to 60-80% of internal technical labor and subcontractor expenses. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Employ 1-500 staff, incorporated for ≥2 years, committed to internal R&D activities. 

Navigate the complexities of IRAP vs. SR&ED funding with confidence. Discover which program best suits your business’s R&D projects by exploring our comprehensive guide.

Provincial Programs for Saskatchewan  

The Saskatchewan Technology Start-Up Incentive (STSI)  

The Saskatchewan Technology Start-up Incentive (STSI) is a key initiative aimed at fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving economic growth in the province’s technology sector. Established in the 2018-19 Budget, the STSI encourages investment in early-stage technology businesses with a head office in Saskatchewan, providing crucial financial support to start-ups as they develop and commercialize their innovative ideas.  

• Funding Amount: The STSI offers a non-refundable 45% tax credit to accredited individual or corporate investors with taxes owing in Saskatchewan. This incentive helps start-ups raise the capital they need to grow their businesses, attract talent, and develop cutting-edge technologies that address market needs and drive innovation.  
• Applicant Eligibility: In addition to the existing eligible sectors such as agri-tech and digital technologies, the STSI now extends its support to start-ups developing novel technologies in the cleantech sector. This expansion broadens the scope of the program, encouraging innovation across diverse industries and promoting sustainability-focused solutions to global challenges.  

Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) 

The Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program provides funding assistance to agri-businesses for the adoption of best practices, new state-of-the-art technologies, and processes to stimulate significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and greenhouse gas emission reductions. This is achieved through automation and efficient manufacturing processes and technologies, investments in sustainable manufacturing with greenhouse gas emissions-reducing equipment and infrastructure and increased productive capacity by purchasing or upgrading equipment to expand processing to a new product complementary to existing primary inputs. 

• Funding Amount: The maximum funding cap is $750,000 per applicant/related entity over the life of the program. This program follows a tiered funding model – contact us to determine your options. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applicants are agri-businesses, First Nations, or abattoirs involved in value-added processing of Canadian agricultural products and considered a commercial enterprise located in Saskatchewan. 

Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) 

The Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) is a research and development (R&D) funding program designed to accelerate the commercialization of game-changing technological innovations in the province’s core sectors. Through SAIF, Innovation Saskatchewan (IS) provides non-repayable grants to projects that address specific industry challenges. 

• Funding Amount: Lead proponents can receive a maximum of $450,000 in SAIF grants over their lifetime to a maximum of 30% of the project’s budget. Industry partners must provide 50% or more of the budget, with the remaining amounts secured from other sources (e.g., federal funding agencies). 
• Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applicants for the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) must be Saskatchewan-based organizations leading projects aimed at addressing specific industry challenges in sectors such as mining, energy, manufacturing and processing, and healthcare. 

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership’s Market Access Program (MAP) 

The Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership’s Market Access Program (MAP) supports the domestic and international marketing efforts of STEP members by providing financial assistance. Designed to facilitate entry into new markets or return visits within 24 months, outside of Saskatchewan, MAP considers new market sectors within established geographical markets. 

• Funding Amount: The maximum contribution per applicant per fiscal year is $8,000 for regular members and $10,000 for premium members. Each funding application must have a minimum overall cost of $1,000. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applications must be exhibiting in a trade show, or trade event in a new export market outside of Saskatchewan; or participating and/or exhibiting in a STEP-led trade activity to a new export market. 

Agtech Growth Fund (AGF) 

As part of the Agtech Growth Fund (AGF), the provincial government funds research and development (R&D) to accelerate the commercialization of innovations in the agricultural sector that have the potential to transform agriculture. 

• Funding Amount: Eligible applicants can receive up to $450,000 in non-repayable grants from the AGF program, with a lifetime maximum of $900,000. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be Saskatchewan-based and demonstrate how the technological innovation can be implemented to solve a specific industry-wide challenge and benefit the agriculture industry as a whole. 

SCAP – Product Development Program (PDP) 

Saskatchewan businesses can receive funding towards under the development of prototypes and services to food, beverage, and other agri-processing value-added companies. Funding is provided through the Saskatchewan Product Development Program (PDP) stream of the Sustainable Canadian Partnership Program (SCAP). 

• Funding Amount: 50% to a maximum of $50,000, min. project size of $10,000. 
• Applicant Eligibility: Agriculture value-added processors who are involved in the physical transformation or upgrading of any raw/primary agricultural product(s) or any agricultural by-product or waste into a new or upgraded product or further processed product. 

Apply for Funding in Saskatchewan 

If you are a Canadian business located in Saskatchewan getting started with government grants and/or loans to assist you in meeting your project goals, please contact the Mentor Works team of professional grant writers to help with program assessment and eligibility. 

Canadian businesses should understand that there are key differences between the types of funding which is available before they begin an application process. Download our free Types of Government Funding resource to learn about the various types of grants, loans, and government incentives that are available to Canadian companies, organizations, and entrepreneurs.