Ontario Grant Gazette
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Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them.
From the Editor
Dear CEOs and Leaders,
Manufacturing is moving in Ontario. Statistics Canada reported a 3.0% jump in manufacturing sales in March, led by transportation equipment, and building permits surged 10.3%. Growing companies get funded. Right now, there are programs watching for exactly that momentum.
Several grants in this issue close before July 1. Don’t let the summer shuffle cost you a submission.
Check the HOT PICKS below, pick one, and get moving this week.
Sincerely,
David Kincade
780-297-6177
Key Takeaways
- Five hot picks close by July 1, including AgriStability, tax clinic grants, and CEF retrofit financing.
- Ontario manufacturing sales rose 3.0% in March: growing companies are the ones grant agencies fund.
- Ontario's Buy Ontario drone policy signals domestic procurement opportunities for tech and hardware suppliers.
- Federal and Ontario digital tools programs are both open, so SMEs can access skills and adoption funding now.
This Week’s Picks
- Youth Opportunities Fund – Youth Innovations Scale Grant │ Ontario Trillium Foundation — The Youth Opportunities Fund Scale Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is a strong fit for Ontario community organizations, and with a deadline in 44 days, the window to submit is closing fast.
- Grant for hosting free tax clinics — If your organization runs free tax clinics, the CRA program that reimburses you for it has a deadline in 36 days, so don't let this one slip past you.
- Nuffield Canada Scholarships — The Nuffield Canada Scholarships are one of agriculture's best-kept secrets, and with a deadline in 36 days, Ontario agri-food leaders have a narrow window to apply for this global leadership opportunity.
- Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) – Green Municipal Fund — Community Efficiency Financing through the Green Municipal Fund helps eligible organizations finance energy retrofits, and with a deadline in 37 days, it is this week's most urgent clean-energy opportunity.
- AgriStability | Agricorp — AgriStability through Agricorp is Ontario's foundational farm income protection program, and the deadline in 36 days means the 2026 enrollment window is almost closed.
Governmental Signals
Federal (Canada.ca)
- PrairiesCan Funds Five Alberta Organizations Under Regional AI Initiative — Prairies Economic Development Canada is investing in five Alberta-based organizations through its Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative to help them improve productivity and commercialize AI solutions. (funding)
- PrairiesCan Backs Six Alberta Projects Under Regional Defence Investment Initiative — PrairiesCan announced repayable funding for six Alberta projects under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative to advance made-in-Canada defence solutions and strengthen the province's defence manufacturing capacity. (funding)
- Ottawa Commits $30 Million to Accelerate Clean Technology Across Canadian Agriculture — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing $30 million across six not-for-profit organizations to accelerate clean technology innovation that reduces emissions and builds resilience across the national agricultural sector, including Alberta producers. (funding)
- Advance Payments Program Interest-Free Limit Set at $250,000 for 2026 Non-Canola Advances — The federal government has set the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program at $250,000 for the 2026 program year for all non-canola advances, with the government covering the interest on that portion on behalf of producers. (policy)
- Canada Puts $55 Million Into Arctic Infrastructure to Advance Critical Minerals Supply Chains — Natural Resources Canada announced more than $55 million for two projects to strengthen Arctic infrastructure, support export diversification, and build resilient Canadian critical minerals supply chains. (funding)
Ontario Gov
- Ontario Expands Digital Competence Centre With $5 Million to Help SMEs Adopt Technology — Ontario is adding $5 million to its Digital Competence Centre, delivered with the Ontario Centre of Innovation, to help nearly 450 small and medium-sized businesses adopt digital tools and modernize operations. (funding)
- Sunrise Farms to Invest Over $100 Million in New Ontario Poultry Processing Facility — Ontario is welcoming a private investment of over $100 million from Sunrise Farms to build a state-of-the-art poultry processing facility in Woodstock, creating 100 new jobs and reinforcing domestic agri-food supply chain capacity. (sectoral)
- Ontario Bans Chinese-Made Drones for Sensitive OPP Operations, Plans Broader Government Phase-Out — Ontario is immediately banning Chinese-made drones for sensitive OPP operations and will phase out broader government use under its Buy Ontario policy, replacing them with Canadian-manufactured alternatives and signaling a procurement shift for domestic drone producers. (policy)
Data (Statistics Canada)
- Canadian Manufacturing Sales Rose 3.0% in March, Led by Petroleum and Transportation Equipment — Statistics Canada reports manufacturing sales increased 3.0% in March 2026, driven primarily by petroleum and coal products and transportation equipment, while total first-quarter sales edged up 0.1%. (sectoral)
- Canadian Building Permits Surged 10.3% in March to $13.5 Billion — Statistics Canada data show total building permits issued across Canada rose 10.3% in March 2026 to $13.5 billion, pointing to strengthening construction sector activity with potential implications for housing and infrastructure funding demand. (sectoral)
Pro Corner
This week we’re tracking hundreds of grants across 15 sectors — urgent deadlines, ongoing programs, and everything in between.
Pro members get the full sector-by-sector listing with deadlines, contacts, and our weekly commentary on where the money is actually moving.
This week's FREE grants span skills training, clean energy, agri-food, and community funding, with five picks closing by July 1. Start with the urgency column.
Agriculture
URGENT DEADLINE Technology Leadership │ Protein Industries Canada — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE AgriInvest │ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) — Deadline: June 30, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE AgriStability | Agricorp — Deadline: June 30, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Nuffield Canada Scholarships — Deadline: June 30, 2026.
OPEN Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario │ Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) — Deadline: July 30, 2026.
Unlock 37 more Agriculture programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Arts and Culture
URGENT DEADLINE Supporting Artistic Practice – Support Organizations │ Canada Council for the Arts — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Supporting Artistic Practice – National Arts Service Organizations │ Canada Council for the Arts — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Community Anniversaries – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage │ Canadian Heritage — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Arts Across Canada and Abroad – Circulation and Touring │ Canada Council of the Arts — Deadline: June 3, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE John Hirsch Prizes │ Canada Council for the Arts — Deadline: June 5, 2026.
Unlock 53 more Arts and Culture programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Employment
URGENT DEADLINE Regional Development Program | Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Incubator │York Development Entrepreneurship Institute (YEDI) — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Summer Employment Opportunities Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Equal Slice Program — Deadline: June 3, 2026.
OPEN Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital Program │ Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) — Deadline: July 15, 2026.
Unlock 70 more Employment programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Energy and Environment
URGENT DEADLINE Forest Biomass Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Zayed Sustainability Prize — Deadline: June 15, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Green Municipal Fund – Accelerating Circularity in Construction Materials | Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) — Deadline: June 26, 2026.
OPEN TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant — Deadline: July 15, 2026.
OPEN NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable agriculture research initiative: — Deadline: August 4, 2026.
Unlock 37 more Energy and Environment programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Export
URGENT DEADLINE Canada–Taiwan 2024-2025 collaborative industrial research and development — Deadline: May 26, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE CanExport SMEs Program │ Trade Commissioner Service — Deadline: May 29, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Canada – Germany 2026 collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals (NRC IRAP-ZIM Call 17) — Deadline: June 19, 2026.
OPEN Europe – Eurostars call for proposals — Deadline: September 10, 2026.
OPEN AgriMarketing Program – Kosher and Halal Investment Component │ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) — Deadline: September 30, 2027.
Unlock 13 more Export programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Housing
UPCOMING DEADLINE Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) – Green Municipal Fund — Deadline: July 1, 2026.
ONGOING Affordable Housing Innovation Fund │Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
ONGOING Build Canada Homes
ONGOING Building Ontario Fund
ONGOING CMHC Eco Plus │ Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):
Unlock 9 more Housing programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Indigenous
URGENT DEADLINE Forest Biomass Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Innovation Fund │ Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Community Anniversaries – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage │ Canadian Heritage — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE IEN-WMAN Mining Mini-Grant Program — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Summer Employment Opportunities Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Unlock 148 more Indigenous programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Infrastructure
URGENT DEADLINE Innovation Fund │ Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
OPEN Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program │ Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) — Deadline: September 30, 2026.
OPEN First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) │Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) — Deadline: September 30, 2026.
OPEN First Nations Enhanced Education Infrastructure Fund │ Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) — Deadline: September 30, 2026.
ONGOING Broadband and Cellular Expansion Program │Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
Unlock 17 more Infrastructure programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Municipalities
URGENT DEADLINE Eastern Ontario Development Fund │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Regional Development Program | Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Forest Biomass Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Community Anniversaries – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage │ Canadian Heritage — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Summer Employment Opportunities Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Unlock 92 more Municipalities programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Non-Profit
URGENT DEADLINE Eastern Ontario Development Fund │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Supporting Artistic Practice – National Arts Service Organizations │ Canada Council for the Arts — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Forest Biomass Program │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Technology Leadership │ Protein Industries Canada — Deadline: May 31, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Community Anniversaries – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage │ Canadian Heritage — Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Unlock 139 more Non-Profit programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Other
OPEN International Multisport Games for Aboriginal Peoples and Persons with a Disability (IMGAPPD) — Hosting Program │Canadian Heritage — Deadline: December 31, 2026.
OPEN Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) — Deadline: March 31, 2027.
OPEN Supporting the Canadian Red Cross’ Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires program │Public Safety Canada — Deadline: March 31, 2027.
OPEN Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit (ITC) — Deadline: December 31, 2034.
OPEN Clean Technology (CT) Investment Tax Credit (ITC) — Deadline: December 31, 2034.
Unlock 25 more Other programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Software and Tech
URGENT DEADLINE Canada–Taiwan 2024-2025 collaborative industrial research and development — Deadline: May 26, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE Regional Development Program | Government of Ontario — Deadline: May 27, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) | Canada Foundation for Innovation — Deadline: June 15, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Zayed Sustainability Prize — Deadline: June 15, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Canada – Germany 2026 collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals (NRC IRAP-ZIM Call 17) — Deadline: June 19, 2026.
Unlock 41 more Software and Tech programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
University
URGENT DEADLINE Ontario Research Fund: Research Infrastructure │ Government of Ontario — Deadline: June 5, 2026.
URGENT DEADLINE I.D.E.A.L. Scholarship │ BioTalent Canada — Deadline: June 8, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) | Canada Foundation for Innovation — Deadline: June 15, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE Partnership Engage Grants │ Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) — Deadline: June 15, 2026.
UPCOMING DEADLINE ‘A’ Award Grant │Alex’s Lemonade Stand foundation for Childhood Cancer — Deadline: June 16, 2026.
Unlock 73 more University programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
Women
ONGOING AgriTalent program │ CAHRC-CCRHA
ONGOING Canada-India Acceleration Program
ONGOING Canadian Emissions Reductions Innovation Consortium (CanERIC) │Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada
ONGOING Individual Child Grant │ Canadian Tire:
Unlock 4 more Women programs
Longer timelines and strategic opportunities for Pro subscribers.
