This Alberta grants resource can assist small businesses in locating financial opportunities to help them establish, operate, and develop their firms, including local Edmonton grants as well as minority-focused and Indigenous grants. You may get the capital you need for your firm to succeed from third-party funding like Alberta Innovates to government grants like the Canada-Alberta Job Grant.
Applying for Government Grants in Alberta
Businesses must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for government subsidies and third-party support service programmes in Alberta. Almost all awards necessitate the possession of a business license by the recipients. As a result, be sure your company name is registered in Canada.
When applying for grants in Alberta, small enterprises should have the following information on hand:
- Number of a business license
- a business strategy
- Financial statements depicting the previous year’s business activity
- List of employees
- Forms that apply
- Indians must have a valid Indian status and identity card for eligible First Nation funds.
The Government of Alberta’s website has small business resources that can assist you in determining the entire range of documentation required for small company grants in Alberta.
Many company assistance programmes are non-repayable; however, certain small business loans demand the grant recipient repay a portion of the funds, so it’s critical to understand the financial requirements when budgeting.
Who Qualifies for Alberta Small Business Grants?
There are many different types of people who are eligible for government and third-party grants. Small firms, also known as small to medium enterprises (SEM), can apply for many grants if organized as a single proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. For-profit corporations and non-profit organizations, and industry-related and community-based grants are sometimes classified into categories.
Innovation and Economic Growth Grants
Alberta Innovates – Voucher and Micro-vouchers Programs
Alberta Innovates is a non-profit organization that helps businesses in Alberta by funding research, economic development, and innovative technologies. Their grant programmes provide assistance for a wide range of industries and business activities. The Alberta Innovation Voucher and Micro-Voucher programmes were created to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Alberta “promote innovation and innovative problem-solving.” The purpose is to encourage the development and commercialization of new technology or business solutions, as well as to provide “substantial risk-weighted returns on investment to the Province of Alberta based on economic, social, or environmental indicators.” If your company meets the requirements, you can apply for a grant ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on your needs.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
For vouchers: Technologies in the “mid-to-late developmental phases, but may contain some early developmental stages” are supported by vouchers. The goal is to provide funding to SMEs that work with up to three service or product providers to get their technologies closer to commercialization.
For micro-vouchers: To speed the commercialization of new goods, the Micro Voucher Program encourages “high potential, high growth Small/Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”) with the novel, promising technology, strong management, and a properly-identified product/market fit.”
How to Apply?
Please fill out the online application gateway on their website to submit your application.
Canada- Alberta Job Grant
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a government-funded initiative that assists firms in hiring and training Albertans. A business owner who is also an employer can apply for a grant to support the costs of educating current and prospective employees for essential business roles.
The Workforce Development Agreement, signed by the Government of Canada, provides funding to eligible employers.
Employers are required to cover at least one-third of the total training expenditures for their current employees. The government will cover the remaining two-thirds of the cost, up to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee every fiscal year. If an employer wants to hire and train jobless Albertans, this government grant can cover the entire cost of training, or 100% of the expenditures, up to $15,000 per trainee. There is, however, a limit, with each firm receiving a maximum of $300,000 per fiscal year.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
When it comes to government support, eligible individuals are divided into employers and trainees. The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is accessible to the following people:
- Employers in the private sector, such as sole proprietorships and partnerships
- Employers in the non-profit sector
- Settlements of First Nations and Metis
- The Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) is a non-profit organization that provides (only applies if located within a community with a population of 100,000 or less)
- Branches of the Alberta Treasury (only applies if located within a community with a population of 100,000 or less)
- Employers in Alberta who need to train current or potential personnel to fill roles within the firm
What Is the Procedure for Applying?
The grant applicant guide can assist you with the application process, found on the Department of Labor’s Workforce Grants Portal. According to the government, all applications should be filed at least 30 days prior to the training’s start date.
Alberta Export Expansion Program
The Alberta Export Expansion Program provides funding to export-ready enterprises and non-profit organizations that want to develop into worldwide markets and bring international purchasers to Alberta. This financing is available in the form of a reimbursement that covers applicable business expenses such as lodging, airfare, intercity ground travel, trade exhibits and event fees, interpretive and translation services, and conference room space for Alberta entrepreneurs. Authorized Parties will be reimbursed between $1,000 and $25,000 per year for approved business expenditures. For-profit firms are eligible for up to 50% reimbursement on eligible costs, while non-profit organizations are eligible for up to 75% reimbursement.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
This programme is available to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), municipalities, industry groups, Indigenous communities, and economic development bodies that promote Alberta exports by attracting international buyers to Alberta or boosting outbound international commerce.
For-profit companies must have annual sales of $50,000 to $25 million, have at least one full-time employee in Alberta, be an incorporated legal company, have a permanent establishment in Alberta, submit a complete application form, and exhibit a well-thought-out market entrance plan.
What Is the Procedure for Applying?
All qualified small and medium businesses can apply for this programme by creating a user account on the government website and uploading all required papers.
Edmonton Individual Business Grant
For firms who have lost revenue due to COVID-19, the Edmonton Individual Business Grant offers two types of funding:
Local Economic Conditions Component: Urgent situations to help businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19.
Restrictions Exemption Program Component: Businesses that are in scope to receive funding to cover the costs incurred by owners in their administration of the Provincial Restrictions Exemption Program. Both the Local Economic Conditions Component and the Restrictions Exemption Program Component offer qualified firms a one-time $1000 micro-grant.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Only firms that meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for and receive financing from this programme:
- Edmonton is the location of the company.
- COVID-19 must have resulted in a revenue loss for the company.
- The company must have a current business license (unless the city does not require you to have one)
- Only business owners or government officials are eligible to apply.
What is the procedure for applying?
Begin your application through the Edmonton portal.
Agricultural and Environmental Grants
Canadian Agricultural Partnership Alberta (CAP)
The Albertan Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a federal-provincial-territorial investment in agriculture, agri-food, and agricultural-based goods in Alberta. The Government of Canada provides grants to each province to assist in the development of agricultural economics and investment growth.
- Efficient Grain Handling: This energy efficiency scheme helps agricultural businesses save money by lowering their overall energy use. The funds will be used to purchase equipment that will help firms considerably increase their energy efficiency.
- Emerging Opportunities: This grant promotes the growth and development of Alberta’s agriculture sector. This investment will go toward new and emerging agriculture, Agri-processing, and Agri-based products, with the goal of diversifying the province’s economy and growing its economy.
- Farm Technology: The Farm Technology award helps firms adopt cutting-edge technology that reduces agricultural waste and increases efficiency. The grant is divided into two sections: The Farm Technology stream, which supports the adoption of new technologies in the industry, and the Farm Security stream, which assists producers in protecting their business assets.
- Market Assurance: The Market Assurance award helps firms implement market assurance standards and reduce risks in plant, apiculture, and livestock health, as well as biosecurity, traceability, surveillance, and livestock welfare.
- Water: There are two types of water grants: on-farm irrigation projects and on-farm water supply projects. In either scenario, funds are utilized to improve agricultural water management and support the expansion of agricultural businesses.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible firms must operate in Alberta and be responsible for input expenses, agricultural crops, or animal production of at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities each year, according to the rules for both the Efficient Grain Handling Grant and the Farm Technology Grant. Farmland landlords are not counted. Businesses must also have a current Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Certificate or a letter of completion from an EFP technician or be working toward certification by the project’s end date. The Emerging Opportunities Grant and the Market Assurance Grant are available to registered Alberta firms that operate outside of the province and fall into one of the agricultural categories of food processors or Agri-processors, industry groups, primary producers, or primary producers.
Finally, Alberta-based small, medium, and large firms can apply for one of two Water Grants. Applicants for the on-farm irrigation projects must produce at least $25,000 in farm commodities per year, possess an irrigated agricultural operation in the province, and have never been accepted under the previous CAP programmes. Applicants are eligible to apply for the on-farm water supply projects if they produce at least $10,000 in farm commodities per year and are subject to Alberta income tax or corporate tax on farm commodity income.
How to Apply?
Depending on the Alberta government grants you are applying for, you will need to contact different departments to start the process.
To start the application process for the Efficient Grain Handling grant, complete the Application Form, and forward the complete form with all other applicable documents to [email protected].
To apply for the Emerging Opportunities grant, you will need to contact the program office, [email protected], to discuss the process.
Ensure you cover all Farm Technology Program Terms and Conditions when applying for this grant, and then send all forms and documentation to [email protected].
For the Market Assurance grant, fill in the Application Form and submit the form and all other documentation to [email protected].
For the on-farm irrigation water grant, contact [email protected] to apply.
For the on-farm water supply project, contact [email protected] to start the application process.
Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Development (ABED) | Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
ABED assists Aboriginal entrepreneurs, communities, and organizations in achieving their business objectives by offering a variety of services and support that encourage the development of a vibrant Aboriginal business sector. The level of assistance will vary depending on the client’s needs, funding availability and sources, cost eligibility, economic benefits, and project viability.
To Be Eligible
Individuals of Canadian Aboriginal descent — Status or Non-status Indian (on or off-reserve), Métis, or Inuit — or a majority-owned Aboriginal business, or an Aboriginal community and/or development corporation — must be clients.
Clients must also be involved full-time in the planned business in a management role and be able to give some monetary equity to assist the initiative to be eligible for support.
Amount Provided
Aboriginal people and incorporated enterprises can get up to $99,999 in funding, while community-owned businesses can receive up to $250,000.
Community Futures Alberta
Community Futures has been assisting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta for the past 30 years. We are a community-based, non-profit organization with 27 offices across Alberta’s rural communities. Each office is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and staffed by local business professionals. For anyone who wants to start, expand, franchise, or sell a business, they offer a variety of small business loans, business coaching/training services, and business management tools.
They also provide a variety of specialized business programs and actively collaborate with community and corporate leaders to promote rural economic development.
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant provides financial support to Alberta enterprises, cooperatives, and non-profits who were forced to stop or limit operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and sustained a revenue decrease of at least 30%.
A spring 2021 application period commenced on April 23 and closed on June 30 to assist businesses affected by public health measures implemented in April and May 2021.
Businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits can utilize these funds to help pay a percentage of the cost of implementing new public health measures, such as implementing steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission, which could include:
- physical obstacles
- acquiring personal protection equipment and cleaning supplies
- rent and employee salaries
- inventory replacement and more
Northern Alberta Business Incubator (NABI)
The Northern Alberta Business Incubator (NABI) has provided entrepreneurs and small firms with office space, marketing resources, path-finding advice, coaching, inspiration, capital, and networking contacts for over 26 years. With NABI, you may expand your business while still managing risk.
NABI offers exceptional customer service to match your requirements. We provide month-to-month leases, on-demand support services, meeting rooms, and possibilities to collaborate with other NABI companies.
Workforce Partnerships Grants
Employers, industry and sector groups, regional organizations, and Indigenous organizations can apply for Workforce Partnership funds to assist labour market adjustment plans and workforce development, including attempts to attract and retain workers through partnerships.
Eligible applicants can apply for a variety of partnership grants depending on their targeted activities and achievements. Projects funded by the Labour Market Partnership aim to generate knowledge and best practices to aid in the implementation of labour market adjustment measures.
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