Upcoming Grants for Small Business in Ontario

April appears to be a busy month for those who are looking to receive one of the soon to be released Canadian business funding grants. The federal and provincial governments begin their release of several Government Funding Grants for Small Business in April of every year. The end of the month can already seem quite hectic for some businesses’ upper management and accounting staff; however, businesses may be interested in beginning their applications for the following Ontario Government Funding monies that are about to be released.

IMPORTANT:  Please visit TOP Grants for Hiring 2013 for the most up to date information on wage subsidies and small business grants for hiring.

Ontario Centres of Excellence – First Job Hiring Program

This is one of several Canadian Business Grants for Human Resources and Training. This program looks to help businesses in need of young talent in the science and technology fields to help them solve a technical problem or commercialize a new innovation.

Amount: Up to $25,000 in non-repayable business funding grants towards the graduate’s salary.

Eligibility: Businesses must have a presence in Ontario and be able to display how the commercial impacts and growth of the company will provide benefit to Ontario.

IRAP – Accelerated Review Process (ARP)

A popular Canadian Government funding mechanism for businesses that need funding for technical problem solving. Funding can be applied to software implementation, productivity improvements, production design or marketing projects.

Amount: Up to $50,000 in non-repayable Canadian business grants (100% direct labor, 75% sub-contractor costs).

Eligibility: Must be incorporated for at least 2 years.

Youth Employment Program (YEP)

YEP is a human resources and training program for hiring up to 2 recent graduates. IRAP provides the funding with no restrictions and the graduate can be applied to most areas from R&D, engineering, multi-media, market analysis, business development & improvement in customer service.
Amount: Up to $30,000 in non-repayable business funding grants towards a 12-month internship.

Eligibility: Businesses must be financially stable, incorporated, and have a candidate in mind before applying. Graduates must be under the age of 31.

IRAP – Digital Technology Adoption Program (DTAPP)

An Ontario Government funding program supporting the adoption or customization of new technology to increase a businesses’ productivity.

Amount: Up to $100,000 in Canadian Government grants (80% of direct labour; 50% of sub-contractor fees)

Eligibility: Businesses must be able to display their ability and openness to change and the benefit of adopting digital technologies on its productivity.

Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)

Note:  This program recently ended (04/2013)

Canadian Government funding for hiring program where the candidate will be expected to carry out e-business initiatives, such as online marketing, website development, and search engine optimization (SEO) over a 12-week internship.

Amount: Up to $10,000 in Ontario business grants or 75% of the intern’s salary.

Eligibility: Must be an incorporated business within Canada.

ICTC – Career Focus

Another Ontario Government Grants for hiring. 4 to 12 month full-time work placement for online business development employee with a 4-year diploma. Popular topics include website development, search engine optimization (SEO), software development, database creation and maintenance, conversion traffic, press releases, building content and link building strategies. You can hire as many candidates as you like and stack this on top of your SBIP.

Amount: Up to $12,750 or 50% of the intern(s) salary.

Eligibility: Must be an incorporated business within Canada.

Next Steps for Canadian Business Grant Applications

If your company has more than 15 employees and has been incorporated for at least 2 years then you are likely eligible for one or more of the above please Contact a Canadian Government Funding Expert  so we can assist you in preparing your application.  For detailed information on other economic development programs and funding services Ontario.For further information of funding for small businesses, please review Mentor Works Government Funding strategies. Businesses can also receive up-to-date information regarding other Ontario Business Grants by signing up for our Weekly E-Newsletter or following us on Twitter.