Top Ontario Grants, Loans, and Tax Credits in 2026 

Ontario companies are stepping into 2026 with new goals, new challenges, and a renewed focus on growth. The province continues to support that momentum with programs that help businesses adopt new technologies, expand production, upskill workers, and invest in innovation. Ontario’s economic strength reflects this steady investment in its industries. 

The agri-food sector continues to rise, supported by more than 3,000 active food and beverage processors, 97,000 workers, and a vibrant value chain that reaches global markets. Manufacturing growth remains strong as companies adopt advanced production capabilities. Ontario’s tech sector is also accelerating thanks to new research, commercialization activity, and increasing global demand for software, AI, and automation solutions. 

Behind much of this progress is government funding. These programs fuel business expansion, research and development (R&D), clean technology adoption, hiring, training, and export development. This year’s list highlights the top Ontario grants, loans, and tax credits that businesses can access in 2026, including established programs and ones with expected intakes based on previous years. 

“Ontario’s economic future depends on innovation, productivity, and the ability of our businesses to compete on a global stage.” 
– Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade 

Below is your updated business funding guide to the key programs now open (or expected to open) to support Ontario businesses in 2026. 

Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) 

The COJG continues to help employers invest in employee training. The COJG gives businesses funding support for third-party training that builds new skills, strengthens technical capabilities, and increases overall productivity. Employers can include both current and new hires. 

Funding Snapshot: COJG 

The COJG is a long-standing training program that helps Ontario employers improve workforce skills. 

Funding amount 

• Up to 50 to 83% of eligible training costs 
• Maximum of $15,000 per trainee 

Eligible applicants 

• Ontario for-profit businesses 
• Nonprofit organizations 
• Employer consortia 
• First Nations band councils 

Eligible projects 

• Career or development training 
• Maintenance and refresher training 
• Essential skills training 

Timeline 

• Open year-round; apply before training begins 

Protect Ontario Financing Program 

Launched in 2025, this provincial loan program targets Ontario steel, aluminum, and auto supply chain companies affected by U.S. Section 232 tariffs. It provides liquidity support so these businesses can stabilize operations and protect local jobs. Intake remains active in 2026. 

Funding Snapshot: Protect Ontario Financing Program 

This is a provincial liquidity tool designed to support Ontario manufacturers affected by international tariff pressure. 

Funding amount 

• Term loans between $250,000 and $40 million 
• Supports working capital such as payroll, leases, and utilities 

Eligible applicants 

• Ontario for-profit businesses in steel, aluminum, and auto supply chains 
• Minimum $2 million annual revenue 
• At least 10 full-time employees 
• More than three years in operation 

Eligible projects 

• Working capital relief tied to tariff impacts 
• Operations that demonstrate financial strain and have exhausted federal support 

Timeline 

• Open now 
• Applicants contacted within five business days after eligibility review 

FedDev Ontario 

FedDev Ontario continues to be one of the province’s most impactful funding tools for business expansion. The program supports productivity improvements, technology adoption, commercialization, capacity growth, and market expansion. It provides interest-free repayable contributions up to 35% of project costs. 

Funding Snapshot: FedDev Ontario 

• A key regional economic development program supporting business scale-up and productivity in Southern Ontario 

Funding amount 

• Up to 35% of eligible project costs 
• Maximum of $10 million 

Eligible applicants 

• Incorporated Canadian businesses with five or more employees 
• Minimum three years of operations 
• Located in Southern Ontario 

Eligible projects 

• New product development 
• Commercialization and process improvements 
• Technology adoption and productivity upgrades 
• Facility expansion or scaling operations 

Timeline 

• Continuous intake; apply as early as possible 

National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)   

The NRC IRAP remains one of Canada’s most trusted programs for research and innovation funding. It supports technical R&D projects that involve uncertainty, experimentation, engineering work, applied research, and prototype development. 

Funding Snapshot: NRC IRAP 

• A federal R&D program that accelerates innovation for small and medium-sized businesses 

Funding amount 

• Up to 60 to 80% of internal labour and subcontractor costs 

Eligible applicants 

• Canadian incorporated companies with fewer than 500 employees 
• Financially stable and able to carry out R&D activities 

Eligible projects 

• Technical R&D 
• Innovation with measurable technological uncertainty 
• Software, hardware, or engineering development 

Timeline 

• Open intake 
• Begins with a meeting with an Industrial Technology Advisor 

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) 

SR&ED remains the largest federal tax credit program for Canadian companies performing R&D. It supports work related to technological uncertainty, experimental development, product creation, and process improvements. 

Funding Snapshot: SR&ED 

A federal tax credit that rewards businesses investing in innovation. 

Funding amount 

• Up to 69% of labour and overhead costs 
• Up to 36% of contractor costs 
• Up to 45% of material costs 

Eligible applicants 

• Canadian companies conducting R&D activities 
• Businesses developing new or improved products or processes 

Eligible projects 

• Experimental development 
• Applied research 
• Systematic investigation tied to technological challenges 

Timeline 

• Must file within 18 months of the fiscal year end 

SCAP AgriInnovate 

AgriInnovate supports the commercialization and adoption of innovative agri-food technologies. The program is part of the broader Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). Although AgriInnovate is approaching the end of its current framework in 2028, projects will continue to be approved in 2026. 

Funding Snapshot: AgriInnovate 

This national agri-food program supports high-impact innovation and clean technology. 

Funding amount 

• Up to 50% of eligible costs 
• Maximum of $5 million 

Eligible applicants 

• For-profit businesses 
• Cooperatives and Indigenous corporations 

Eligible projects 

• Commercialization of sector-shaping innovations 
• Clean technology and automation 
• Value-added processing improvements 
• Export-focused technology adoption 

Timeline 

• Projects must be completed by March 31, 2028 
• Apply at least four months before project start 

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) 

EODF and SWODF help Ontario companies invest in expansion projects that create new jobs and stimulate regional development. While new 2026 intake windows are not yet posted, these programs typically run application rounds between late fall and early winter. Businesses can begin planning now to position their projects for submission once new dates open. 

Funding Snapshot: EODF and SWODF 

These are regional funds supporting capital expansion, job creation, and infrastructure development. 

Funding amount 

• Business Stream: Up to 15% of project costs, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million 
• Community Economic Development Stream: Up to 50% of project costs to a maximum of $1.5 million 

Eligible applicants 

• Eastern or Southwestern Ontario businesses with at least three years in operation 
• Municipalities, consortia, and economic development organizations (for Community Stream) 

Eligible projects 

• Capital expansion 
• Facility upgrades 
• Technology and equipment purchases 
• Regional job creation 

Timeline 

• 2026 intake windows expected; planning early is recommended 

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) 

The RTRI supports Ontario companies facing international tariff pressures. This program offers targeted assistance for businesses affected by foreign trade actions. While 2026 details are not yet posted, further intakes are expected because of program demand. 

Funding Snapshot: RTRI 

This is a provincial initiative supporting Ontario companies responding to tariff-driven financial challenges. 

Funding amount 

• Funding varies by tariff event and response strategy 

Eligible applicants 

• Ontario for-profit companies facing documented tariff impacts 

Eligible projects 

• Projects that help companies adjust operations 
• Costs linked to productivity improvements, new markets, or supply chain adjustments 

Timeline 

• 2026 intake expected 
• Businesses can prepare documentation ahead of announcements 

Strategic Response Fund (SRF) 

The SRF helps companies that need support during major economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, or market volatility. The fund is used to stabilize operations and protect strategic industries. Intake for 2026 is expected but not yet open. 

Funding Snapshot: SRF 

The SRF is a provincial support program for businesses navigating sudden economic or sector-wide disruptions. 

Funding amount 

• Varies based on response needs and provincial assessment 

Eligible applicants 

• Ontario for-profit companies impacted by significant market change 

Eligible projects 

• Business continuity investments 
• Technology upgrades to support resiliency 
• Productivity improvements 

Timeline 

• 2026 intake anticipated 
• Early project planning recommended 

How Can Ryan Help with Government Funding? 

Ontario’s economic strength comes from the ambition of its businesses and the programs that support them. Grants, loans, and tax credits help companies innovate, grow, and compete. Whether improving productivity, building new facilities, adopting automation, expanding into new markets, or investing in research, Ontario companies have a wide range of funding options in 2026. 

“Ontario exported $187 billion in goods in 2020, making it the top exporting province in Canada.” 
– The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) 

Programs listed here represent only part of the government funding landscape. Many additional funds open throughout the year for hiring, training, cleantech adoption, manufacturing support, export development, and innovation. 

If your business is planning a project this year, now is the right time to explore funding opportunities. Ryan’s Government Funding team can help you identify the right programs, develop a strong application, and maximize your funding potential. Connect with us to get started.