Grants for Alberta-based Entrepreneurs

AWE does not have a grant program, but we do offer loans for small businesses.

Grants for businesses and start-ups tend to be limited. There are funding sources (including grants) for specific purposes, for which you may be eligible. The websites below contain more information on some funding sources available.

AWE is not affiliated with any of the listed programs and if you have any questions about applying, please contact the funding organization directly.

If you are interested in further exploring grant funding, we recommend checking out Canada Business Network and Fundica for more information. When looking into small business grants, remember: You should never have to pay for grant information!

Small Business Grants

• Big Future Innovation Grant (Credit Union of Alberta)

  • Apply by November 24th, 2023

Arts & Culture Grants

• Canada Periodical Fund (CPF)

• Canada Music Fund (CMF)

• Alberta Media Fund (AMF) – Cultural Industry Organization Operating Grant

• Film and Video Individual Project Funding

Grants for Agriculture & Forestry Industry

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Products to Markets (Small Markets)

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Value-Added Products to Markets (Large Projects)

• Dairy Processing Investment Fund

• Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program

Employment Grants and Wage Subsidy

• Summer and Intern Grant

• Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)

• Student Work Placement Program – Participant

• Canada Summer Jobs

• Youth Employment Program (YEP)

• Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG)

• HIRE Program

• JET Program

Environment and Sustainability Grants

• Climate Action Fund

• Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Export Support Grants

• Alberta Expansion Program

• CANExport- SMEs

• Canadian Export Challenge

• Soft Landing Program

• Creative Export Canada

• Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

Support for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

• Indigenous Tourism - COVID-19 Development Stimulus Fund

• Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital

• Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF)

• Multiculturalism, Indigenous and Inclusion Grant (MIIG) Program

• First Nations Development Fund Grant Program

• Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI)

• The Indigenous Forestry Initiative

• Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding

• Creating, Knowing and Sharing Program

• First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)

• Aboriginal Futures Wage Subsidy Program

• Aboriginal Economic Partnerships Program (AEPP)

• The Métis Entrepreneurs’ Assistance Program (MEAP)

Technology Support Grants

• Alberta Innovates- Carbon Capture and Utilization

• Alberta Innovates Voucher Program

• Alberta Innovates- Micro voucher

• Alberta Innovates- Product Demonstration Program

• Calgary Economic Development- Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF)

• Scale AI

• Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund

• Canadian Technology Accelerators

• Accelerating Innovations into CarE

• Industrial Research Assistance Program

• Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks

• TECTERRA- BUILD Program

Other Grants

• Strategic Innovation Fund

• Women Founders Fund

• City of Edmonton- Small Business Improvement Grants

• City of Fort Saskatchewan- Business Development Incentive Program

• Town of Edson- Business Beautification Grant

• City of Calgary- Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund