Overview

You can apply for funding from the Government of Ontario through Transfer Payment Ontario.

Read about the funding opportunities that are currently available and what you'll need to know to apply.

Learn how to register for Transfer Payment Ontario and start applying.

Aboriginal Participation Fund

The Aboriginal Participation Fund was developed to help support Indigenous communities and organizations participate in:

  • regulatory processes under the Mining Act
  • economic development activities associated with mineral exploration and development

There are Six streams available:

Contact

For questions about the Aboriginal Participation Fund, please contact:

Transfer Payment Coordinator
Mines and Minerals Division
Ministry of Mines
Tel: 705-670-5826                                
Toll-free: 1-888-415-9845 ext. 5826                                
Email: aboriginalparticipationfund@ontario.ca

Advanced exploration and development support

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The advanced exploration and development support sub-stream assists communities in areas of high mineral development activity to respond to advanced exploration and mine development projects.

Funding through this stream is:

  • project-based
  • limited to the costs associated with coordinating the review of advanced exploration and development projects
  • not intended to replace support received from project proponents

Eligibility

Funding is available to Indigenous communities in Ontario in areas of high mineral development activity.

While priority will be given to communities that do not have an existing Mineral Development Advisor (MDA), communities with MDAs are encouraged to apply if their workload requires additional support to respond to advanced exploration and development project requests.

Indigenous communities should discuss this sub-stream with one of the ministry’s Mineral Exploration and Development Consultants (MEDC) before applying.

Program Guidelines

Application guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund – advanced exploration and development support sub-stream

Early exploration support

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The early exploration support sub-stream assists communities in areas of high mineral development activities to respond to early exploration projects.

Funding through this stream is:

  • project-based
  • limited to the costs associated with coordinating the review of early exploration projects

Eligibility

Funding is available to Indigenous communities or organizations in Ontario that:

  • are experiencing high mineral exploration or development activity
  • have received two to 10 exploration permit applications in the previous fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)

Eligible applicants may be:

  • single applicants – Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity
  • joint applicants – two or more Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity, or Indigenous organizations (for example, Tribal Councils, economic development organizations) representing communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

Joint applicants must provide a Band Council Resolution in support of the application from each community represented on the application.

Applicants are encouraged, wherever possible, to work together to maximize the benefits of available funding.

Program Guidelines

Application guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund – early exploration support sub-stream

Education and relationship-building

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The education and relationship building sub-stream helps Indigenous communities and organizations:

  • enhance their understanding of mineral exploration and development processes
  • develop relationships between Indigenous communities, industry and government

Eligibility

Project funding is open to Indigenous communities or organizations in Ontario.

Eligible applicants may be:

  • single applicants – Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

 

  • joint applicants – two or more Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity, or Indigenous organizations (for example, Tribal Councils, economic development organizations) representing communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

Joint applicants must provide a Band Council Resolution in support of the application from each community represented on the application.

Program Guidelines

Application guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund - overview of the education and relationship-building stream

Mineral development advisor stream

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The mineral development advisor (MDA) stream provides funding for a MDA for eligible Aboriginal communities and organizations to participate effectively in the regulatory consultation processes, including the review of:

  • exploration plan and permit applications
  • closure plans and closure plan amendments
  • environmental assessments

This funding helps to increase a community’s knowledge and understanding of the mineral development sequence, mineral exploration, mineral development and mining activities, and the range of economic benefits.

Funding amount

Funding up to a maximum of $130,000 per year, for up to a three-year term.

Applicants are encouraged, wherever possible, to work together to maximize the benefits of available funding.

The ministry may consider funding additional positions, in part or in full, based on the mineral development activity and the community’s or tribal council’s need.

Eligibility

Funding is available to Ontario Aboriginal communities or organizations experiencing high mineral exploration or development activity, having received 10 or more exploration plans or permit applications in the previous fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).

Communities that receive fewer than 10 exploration plans or permit applications may be eligible for this stream if they are engaged in reviewing two or more closure plans, closure plan amendments, or mineral development-related environmental assessments.

Eligible applicants may be either:

  • single applicants – Aboriginal communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity, or

 

  • joint applicants – Aboriginal communities and organizations (for example, tribal councils) in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity. Joint applicants must have the support of the communities they represent and a substantiated record of representing member communities on local lands and resources issues. Eligible joint applicants include either:
    • Two or more eligible communities, applying jointly with combined exploration activities, or
    • In specific circumstances, and at the discretion of the ministry, other Aboriginal organizations, such as a Provincial-Territorial Organization (PTO), if they have the support of the communities they represent.

Program guidelines

2020-2021 Mineral Development Advisor Program Guide

Contacts

For questions about program guidelines, contact:

Transfer Payment Coordinator
Strategic Services Branch
Mines and Minerals Division
Ministry of Mines
Level 2B2, 933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON, P3E 6B5                                
Tel: 705-670-5826                                
Toll-free: 1-888-415-9845 ext. 5826                                
Email: aboriginalparticipationfund@ontario.ca

Mining conferences funding Sub-Stream

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The mining conferences funding sub-stream provides financial assistance for communities and member communities to attend mining conferences in Ontario. Indigenous communities and organizations attend these conferences to improve their relationships between Indigenous communities/organizations, with government and industry proponents, and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the regulatory and economic activities associated with Ontario’s mineral sector.

Eligibility

Project funding is open to Indigenous communities or organizations in Ontario.

Eligible applicants may be:

  • single applicants – Indigenous communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity
  • joint applicants – two or more Indigenous communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity, or Indigenous organizations (for example, Tribal Councils, economic development organizations) representing communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

Joint applicants must provide a Band Council Resolution in support of the application from each community represented on the application.

Program guidelines

Guidelines are available by logging in to the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system.

Values mapping and related projects

Status: Open

Ministry of Mines

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The values mapping and related projects sub-stream supports projects that focus on values identification or related projects between Indigenous communities, which will support communities’ capacity to effectively participate in and respond to information requests in regulatory processes under the Mining Act.

Eligibility

Project funding is open to Aboriginal Indigenous communities or organizations in Ontario.

Eligible applicants may be:

  • single applicants – Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

 

  • joint applicants – two or more Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity, or Indigenous organizations (for example, Tribal Councils, economic development organizations) representing communities in areas of high mineral exploration or development activity

Joint applicants must provide a Band Council Resolution in support of the application from each community represented on the application.

Program guidelines

Application guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund - overview of the values mapping and related projects stream

Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) program

Status: Open

Ministry of Health

Deadline

Deadline dates can vary.

Description

The Ministry of Health (MOH) - Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) program works with discrete service providers to deliver mental health support to children, youth and their families. The budget submissions for this program will be managed within Transfer Payment Ontario through the MOH CYMH Budget Form. This includes all subsequent activities related to the transfer payment contracting cycle along with all reporting.

Eligibility

This program is restricted and only available to existing approved/discrete service providers. Access to the MOH CYMH Budget Form is available through Transfer Payment Ontario to these eligible service providers.

Program guidelines

MOH CYMH Service Description Schedules

Resources

Video: How to submit your budget and interim report for 2021-2022

Contacts

For program specific inquiries, please contact your Program Supervisor.

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

Status: Open

Ministry of Sport

Deadline

Stream 2 New Builds/Signature New Builds: application intake is ongoing until all funding has been allocated.

Description

The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is a $200 million capital funding program designed to revitalize existing community sport and recreation infrastructure and support the construction of new facilities across the province.

The CSRIF is a two-stream, application-based funding program.

Stream 2: New Builds/Signature New Builds – funding up to $10 million to invest in new, transformative community sport and recreation infrastructure, including assets that do not currently exist in a community or the replacement of existing assets that have reached the end of their lifespan

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

  • municipalities
  • local services boards
  • not-for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous communities and organizations
  • for-profit organizations (stream 2 only)

Program guidelines

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund program guidelines.

Contacts

Email CSRIF@ontario.ca for general inquiries or consult with a Regional Development Advisor to discuss the details of your project.

Emissions Performance Program

Status: Restricted

Ministry

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Deadline

There are no funding deadlines for this program.

Description

The Emissions Performance Program (EPP) is a non-competitive program funded by compliance payments collected through the Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) regulation. The program supports projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at eligible industrial facilities.

The EPP will fund 2 types of projects:

  • capital projects
  • study-based projects

Eligibility

Eligible facilities for the program:

  • are registered in the Emissions Performance Standards Program
  • have purchased Excess Emissions Units
  • do not generate electricity as their primary industrial activity

Examples of project activities that are eligible for funding include (but are not limited to):

  • stationary equipment retrofits for energy efficiency and fuel switching
  • mobile equipment retrofits for energy efficiency and fuel switching
  • building envelope upgrades (insulation, windows, doors)
  • heat recovery
  • industrial process changes
  • carbon capture and storage
  • clean electricity and low-carbon fuel production for own use

Contacts

For general questions, contact EPPInfo@ontario.ca.

Experience Ontario 2025

Status: Open

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Deadline

You must submit your application by Thursday, December 19 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Description

The Experience Ontario 2025 program provides support for festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences, and increase tourism spending.

The program aims to support festivals or events in Ontario that will:

  • offer programming encouraging people to travel, experience events in person and celebrate Ontario
  • draw tourists and increase visitor spending through innovative programming in partnership with businesses and community partners
  • provide job opportunities for Ontarians in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors
  • increase Ontario’s profile through media, social media or broadcast exposure

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be one of the following:

  • a legal entity, established by or under legislation
  • federally or provincially incorporated
  • a First Nation in the province of Ontario
  • an Indigenous community in Ontario
  • a regional or provincial organization representing First Nation, Métis, Inuit or urban Indigenous peoples
  • an Indigenous service provider in Ontario (for example, band councils, tribal councils, Indigenous education authorities, Provincial Territorial Organizations)

Eligible organizations must also:

  • be an operating business (for example, business address, physical presence) in Ontario since January 1, 2024, or before
  • not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario
  • have a Canadian bank account in the legal name of the applicant at a Canadian financial institution conducting business in Ontario

In addition, your festival or event must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  • take place between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, over a minimum of 2 consecutive days (1 day tourism festivals or events held on Canada Day are eligible for funding)
  • include a minimum of 5 hours of programing each day
  • occur in the province of Ontario
  • be open to the public at large without membership in a club or group
  • have had a minimum of 30% tourists or 5,000 tourists in attendance the previous year
  • has been held at least once in the previous 3 year period
  • follow all municipal and provincial guidelines, including health and safety guidelines
  • submit expenses for your festival or event that are not solely related to marketing or media buys

Funding Amounts

Applicants are eligible to apply for a grant of up to 50% of total costs up to $125,000. The maximum funding amount for the Experience Ontario 2025 program is determined through the following three-tier model:

Tier 1 – Signature: Tourism festivals or events with event operating budgets of $1 million or greater will be eligible for up to 50% of cash expenses, to a maximum of $125,000

Tier 2 – Emerging: Tourism festivals or events with cash event operating budgets between $250,000 and $999,999 will be eligible for up to 50% of cash expenses, to a maximum $55,000

Tier 3 – Community: Tourism festivals or events with cash event operating budgets of less than $250,000 will be eligible for up to 50% of cash expenses, to a maximum of $20,000

The ministry will only consider one application per organization (including affiliates) and only one application per festival or event to the Experience Ontario 2025 program.

Multiple location events are eligible as one event only where:

  • the programming is offered and marketed as part of a consolidated festival or event
  • the experience includes visitation to several locations over the defined consecutive days (for example, Harvest Festival with multiple farm locations)

Program Guidelines

Experience Ontario 2025 – Application guide

Experience Ontario Program Video

Contacts

You may consult with your Regional Advisor if you wish to discuss your festival or event proposal before applying, or email ExperienceOntario@ontario.ca with questions.

Fire Protection Services Reimbursement: Unincorporated Ontario

Status: Open

Ministry of Solicitor General

Deadline

You must submit your application by March 23rd, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Description

This program is designed to provide municipalities with reimbursement opportunities related to the provision of emergency services in unincorporated areas of Ontario that occurred between March 16th, 2024 - March 18th, 2024. Reimbursement rates will be based on service rates utilized by the Ministry of Transportation for fire departments responses on provincial highways.

Eligibility

The following call types may be eligible for payment:

  • motor vehicle collisions occurring on roads that are not considered provincial highways by Ministry of Transportation
  • hazmat calls occurring on roads that are not considered provincial highways by Ministry of Transportation
  • structure fires
  • vehicle fires occurring on roads that are not considered provincial highways by the Ministry of Transportation
  • false alarms
  • rescue (defined as an emergency incident primarily involving activities directed at locating and rescuing endangered persons and removing those persons to a safe location. This could also include but is not limited to the provisions of emergency medical care)
  • public hazard assistance calls (Incidents such as carbon monoxide, public utility, electrical and natural gas or propane gas utility incidents)
  • provision of any emergency services listed above, within a provincial park in Unincorporated Ontario

Contacts

For all municipalities submitting applications for reimbursement please contact your local fire protection adviser to obtain the associated operational guideline with the eligible reimbursement rates and required Transfer Payment Agreement.

For any program queries:

Email: PDA@Ontario.ca

Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program

Status: Open

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Funding will follow an open, competitive rounds-based application process. Learn more about current and upcoming rounds of evaluations.

Description

The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program provides funding for strategic investments in the forest sector that:

  • enhance competitiveness
  • support new market access
  • provide benefits to Ontario’s broader forest sector
  • strengthen regional economies

Support is available under two project categories:

  • business projects
  • collaboration projects

Learn more about the funding amounts and selection process.

Eligibility

Business projects

Support is available for Ontario-based projects with at least $3 million in eligible costs undertaken by for-profit manufacturers and processors of wood and forest biomass across Ontario, including:

  • saw mills
  • pulp and paper mills
  • secondary wood manufacturers
  • bio-economy projects

Harvesting and resource extraction projects are not eligible for funding.

Collaboration projects

Support is available for Ontario-based projects with at least $3 million in eligible costs undertaken through a collaboration of:

  • forest sector for-profit businesses
  • not-for-profit research organizations
  • forest industry associations
  • academia

Eligible collaborations should develop, diversify and transform Ontario’s forest sector through innovation in technology, process or products.

A minimum of three partners are required (including at least one Ontario-based for-profit forestry/wood products company).

Program guidelines

Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – program guidelines

Contacts

For information please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Business Development Branch by:

Tel: 1-844-573-9017                                
Email: FSIIP@ontario.ca

Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund for Indigenous communities and organizations

Status: Open

Ministry of Transportation

Deadline

You must submit your application by December 3, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Description

The Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund (ITIF) is an application-based funding program open to Indigenous communities and organizations interested in pursuing transportation-related projects.

The proposed projects must be connected to the transportation sector and demonstrate an alignment with priority themes selected by the ministry. The priority themes will be listed in the 2025–2026 application guide and application form.

Eligibility

The following Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario are eligible to apply for ITIF funding:

  • First Nation communities
  • Métis communities
  • Indigenous organizations

Program Guidelines

You can find program details and guidelines when you log in to the TPON system and fill out an application.

Contacts

If you have any questions or need more information, you can email IRB@ontario.ca.

Investment Ready: Certified Site designation

Status: Open

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Deadline

Applications can be received at any time.

Description

An Investment Ready: Certified Site designation is issued to properties that have successfully completed a set of program requirements to demonstrate that the property is primed for development and ready for investment.

Learn more about the Investment Ready: Certified Site Program.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements can be found in the Certification Instructions and Requirements Guide.

You can also request the Certification Instructions and Requirements Guide:

How to apply

  • Contact the Investment Ready team for your pre-application consultation.
  • Submit your application package through Transfer Payment Ontario.
  • We will notify you if your site has been approved and email you with your notification of acceptance.
  • Complete the additional requirements within 2 years (the list is available in the Certification Instructions and Requirements Guide).
  • Receive a certification designation after all your assessments and documents have been completed, submitted and approved.

Contacts

For program questions and advice on developing your application, please contact our office:

Municipal Energy Plan Program

Status: Open

Ministry of Energy

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis

Description

Through the Municipal Energy Plan Program, you can get funding to develop a plan that will help your community:

  • improve energy efficiency
  • reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
  • study the impact of future growth on energy needs
  • foster renewable energy production and economic development

Learn more about the Municipal Energy Plan Program

Eligibility

All Ontario municipalities (including regional municipalities) can apply.

Contacts

For any program-related questions, you can email MEP@ontario.ca

Ontario Autism Program Workforce Capacity Fund

Status: Open

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by December 3, 2024, at 5 p.m EST

Description

The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Workforce Capacity Fund is a time-limited, application-based grant program that supports capacity building projects led by public and private children’s service providers.

The vision of the fund is to grow and develop the autism workforce delivering OAP services, so that families in the OAP can access and/or purchase the services they need, where and when they need them.

The fund has three broad objectives:

  • staff: build, retain and grow the OAP clinical workforce
  • organizations: increase the skills and knowledge of service provider organizations to deliver OAP services, including core clinical services, and/or to operate within a fee-for-service market
  • delivery models: strengthen service delivery models to improve service access for families

Funding Amount

The fund gives 2-year grants of up to $400,000 (up to $200,000 each year) to help service providers deliver OAP core clinical services to more children.

For 2024 applicants, the grant will be provided from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from:

Children’s service providers (public and private) who intend to provide any OAP core clinical service (applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and/or mental health services) in 2025-2026 and beyond. This may include single organizations and/or joint applications from organizations that wish to partner to maximize the impact of the grant funding.

The ministry will also prioritize applications that are focused on:

  • building core clinical service capacity in northern, rural, and remote communities
  • increasing capacity to serve Indigenous and/or francophone families in the OAP

Application Guidelines:

Refer to the OAP Workforce Capacity Fund Application Guidelines and OAP Workforce Capacity Fund Applicant Checklist.

Contacts

If you have questions about the OAP Workforce Capacity Fund, or your organization’s eligibility, please contact OAP_CFA@ontario.ca.

Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant

Status: Open

Ministry of the Solicitor General

Deadline

You must submit your application by Friday, December  20, 2024, at 4 p.m EST

Description

The Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant is launching for the fiscal year 2024-2025 (April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025). This one-year grant intends to expand CCTV systems in more municipalities as part of the Ontario Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS).

The Ontario GVRS addresses gun and gang violence through enforcement, intervention, and prevention. The Ontario CCTV Grant further supports police services and the communities they serve to increase public safety.

Eligibility

Funding is available to:

  • municipal and First Nations Police Services
  • municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Application Details:

  • unlimited applications: eligible applicants can submit multiple applications as they wish
  • funding limit: maximum funding request is $300,000 for the fiscal year 2024-2025
  • cost sharing: police services must cover 50% of project costs. For example, a $600,000 project requires $300,000 from the applicant and the ministry will provide the remaining $300,000
  • community partner: eligible applicants must identify at least one community partner on their application and include a letter of support from the identified partner

For all OPP-policed municipalities, applications must be reviewed by the OPP’s Grant Support Team at OPP.Grant.Support.Team@OPP.ca prior to submission in Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). In addition, applications must be submitted through the municipality’s TPON account.

Contacts

For questions about the Ontario CCTV application process, please email Silvana.Burke@Ontario.ca and Ramanan.Thanabalasingam@Ontario.ca.

Ontario Sport Hosting Program 2025-2026

Status: Open

Ministry of Sport

Deadline

You must submit your application by 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday January 13, 2025.

Description

The Sport Hosting Program provides project-based funding to help applicants deliver major national and international amateur sport events in Ontario.

The objectives of the program are to:

  • create legacies that support sport at the provincial, regional and local level
  • provide economic benefits through increased levels of tourism, expenditures and improved public infrastructure
  • foster a culture of sport and physical activity in communities by creating role models and enhancing community spirit and involvement in sports
  • increase opportunities for Ontario athletes to compete and participate in events in Ontario
  • seek new avenues to further build and develop the sport capacity of the province by providing additional ways to develop and train coaches, officials and volunteers
  • create a culture of sport that engages all Ontarians

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

To apply for this program, you must:

  • be a legal entity and have been in existence for one year or longer as of the application date
  • not in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario (for example, Ontario Trillium Foundation)
  • not self-endorse your own application for the program
  • be an eligible applicant under one of the three application streams for the program
Stream 1: Provincial or National Sport Organizations
  • Provincial Sport/Multi-Sport Organizations recognized under Ontario’s Provincial Sport Recognition Policy
  • National Sport Organizations funded by Sport Canada
Stream 2: event host organizations
  • non-profit organizations (including universities and colleges)
  • Ontario municipalities
  • Indigenous organizations, First Nation, Metis or Inuit communities
Stream 3: emerging sports
  • non-profit organizations (including universities and colleges)
  • Ontario municipalities
  • Indigenous organizations, First Nation, Metis or Inuit communities

Eligible Events

National events must be:

  • sanctioned by the National Sport Organization (or the International Federation in Appendix 2 from the guidelines)
  • include representation from no less than six provinces/territories including Ontario (a country may replace a province) or the National Championship for a specific sport, in a specific age group as confirmed by the National Sport Organization (or the International Federation in Appendix 2 from the guidelines). Ontario must be represented in these Championships

International events must be:

  • sanctioned by the International Federation, as per the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and/or Panamerican Sport Association
  • includes representation from no less than two countries, including Canada and one country from outside of North America. We will provide an exemption to events for Canadian National Teams as confirmed by the National Sport Organization funded by Sport Canada

Program guidelines

2025–2026 Sport Hosting Program Guidelines and Reference Documents.

Contacts

For questions about Sport Hosting Program guidelines, please contact:

Aimee Maggiacomo
Ministry of Sport 
Tel: 647-299-8584                         
Email: Aimee.Maggiacomo@ontario.ca

Ontario Transit Investment Fund

Status: Open

Ministry of Transportation

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Description

The Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) provides annual funding of $5 million to deliver local and intercommunity transportation projects in unserved and underserved areas in Ontario, particularly in rural areas.

OTIF provides time-limited, application-based funding for up to 5 years to support the start-up and growth of transit services across the province. Through OTIF, the province is providing eligible communities with the support they need to build safe and reliable transit services.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are municipalities, non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities.

Program guidelines

OTIF Program Guidelines

Contacts

Please contact MTO-SIO@ontario.ca for all program inquiries including on how to apply for OTIF.

Regional Development Program: Eastern Ontario Development Fund and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

The Regional Development Program provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in Ontario, by region.

The types of support available include:

  • funding support
  • complementary services and support

The program supports projects that:

  • create jobs and build talent
  • attract and encourage private sector investment
  • lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
  • encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development

Funding opportunities are currently available for:

Eastern Ontario Development Fund

Status: Open

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Deadline

Applications are ongoing.

There are four application intake periods each year. Applicants will be notified of decisions within 60 business days of the application deadline.

Learn more about the intake period timelines.

Description

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario.

Eligibility

The fund supports business and community economic development projects.

Learn about the eligibility requirements for different businesses and projects.

Contacts

For questions and advice on developing and strengthening your application, contact our regional offices at:

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

Status: Open

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Deadline

Applications are ongoing.

There are four application intake periods per year for full applications. Applicants will be notified of decisions within 60 business days of the application deadline.

Learn more about the intake period timelines here.

Description

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario.

Eligibility

The fund supports business and community economic development projects.

Learn about the eligibility requirements for different businesses and projects.

How to apply

Contacts

For questions or advice on developing and strengthening your application, contact our regional offices at:

Business Advisory Services - Western Region Main Office

Business Advisory Services - Central Region Main Office

(Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Niagara Region and Simcoe County)

Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream

Status: Open

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

This Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream of the Regional Development Program will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) across Ontario by way of investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development that will accelerate recovery in Ontario and place our companies in competitive global positions. 

The types of support available include:

  • funding support
  • complementary services and support

The fund supports projects that:

  • create jobs and build talent
  • attract and encourage private sector investment
  • help companies to adopt technologies to improve their competitiveness
  • lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
  • encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development

Deadline

There are two application intake periods each year.

Learn more about the intake period timelines

Description

Provides support for projects and investments to advanced manufacturing businesses.

Eligibility

Learn about the eligibility requirements for AMIC.

Contacts

For advice on developing and strengthening your application, you are encouraged to contact your provincial government advisor or our Business Advisory Services at:

Central Region

(Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Niagara Region and Simcoe County)

Eastern Region

 Western Region

Northern Region

Contact a northern development advisor

Tel: 1-866-711-8304

Seniors Community Grant Program

Status: Open

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

Deadline

You must submit your application by Thursday, January  16, 2025, at 5 p.m EST

Description

The Seniors Community Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000. These grants support community organizations and not-for-profit community groups to promote greater social inclusion, volunteerism, and community engagement for older adults aged 55+.

These grants fund projects that help seniors:

  • live independently
  • live with safety and security
  • stay connected to their community
  • avoid isolation
  • achieve greater financial security and social connections

Veterans Program Stream

Building on the government’s priority to improve the quality of life for Ontario’s veterans, the 2025-26 Seniors Community Grant Program will include a program stream focused on funding projects that will positively impact senior veterans. Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements in the program guidelines.

Programming can be delivered remotely, virtually, or in-person.

Approved projects are anticipated to start by June 2025 and must be completed by March 31, 2026. 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants may be:

  • incorporated organizations and can apply for up to $25,000
  • individuals representing local unincorporated seniors’ groups and can apply for a maximum of $10,000

Projects must involve older adults and meet at least one of the ministry’s key priorities outlined in the program guidelines.

Program Guidelines

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, Seniors Community Grants 2025-26 Program Guidelines

Contacts

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your project proposal, you may contact a Regional Development Advisor as early in the application period as needed.

Site Readiness Program

Status: Open

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Deadline

Applications can be received at any time.

Description

The Site Readiness Program supports investment attraction and business expansion opportunities in Ontario. The program provides funding assistance to successful Applicants to help prepare their eligible industrial properties for potential investment opportunities.

Learn more about the Site Readiness Program.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements can be found in the Site Readiness Program Guide.

You can also request the Program Guide:

How to Apply

  • contact the Investment Ready Team for your pre-application consultation
  • submit your application package through Tranfer Payment Ontario
  • we will notify you if your site has been approved and email you with your notification of acceptance
  • complete the additional requirements within 1 year

Contacts

For program questions and advice on developing your application, please contact our office:

Skills Development Fund: Capital Stream

Status: Open

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Deadline

Continuous intake, applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until funding is fully allocated.

Description

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream offers funding to eligible organizations to:

  • build new training centres
  • upgrade existing training centres
  • convert an existing building into a training centre

Learn about our SEED and GROW funding pathways under this stream.

Eligibility

The following organizations are eligible to apply to the SDF Capital Stream as a primary applicant:

  • employers in Ontario (other than the educational organizations listed as being eligible to apply as partners)
  • minister-approved, non-college apprenticeship program training delivery agents
  • non-profit organizations including Indigenous band offices and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders
  • professional, industry or employer associations
  • trade unions or union-affiliated organizations
  • municipalities
  • hospitals
  • District Social Services Administration Boards
  • Consolidated Municipal Service Managers

The following educational organizations are eligible to apply to the SDF Capital Stream as a partner with one or more of the eligible primary applicant organizations:

  • district school boards
  • publicly assisted colleges, universities or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario
  • career colleges
  • private universities with consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer degrees

Program guidelines

Read SDF Capital Stream program guidelines for the SEED and GROW Pathway.

Contacts

Email sdfcapitalprogram@ontario.ca

The Ontario Bridge Training Program (OBTP)

Status: Open

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Deadline

Applications are due by December 12, 2024 at 5 p.m EST

Description

The Ontario Bridge Training Program (OBTP) helps highly skilled newcomers access licensing and employment in their field without repeating previous training and education.

Skilled immigrants can increase their opportunities to resume their careers in Ontario by getting their license or certification or connecting with employers in their field.

We are requesting applications in two program streams:

  • Getting a Job—Direct Service Delivery
  • Getting a Licence—Direct Service Delivery

Eligibility

Organizations eligible to apply for OBTP funding include:

  • publicly funded postsecondary institutions
  • not-for-profit organizations based in Ontario that meet specific criteria (see application guidelines)
  • registered for-profit organizations based in Ontario that meet specific criteria (see application guidelines)

Application Guidelines:

Application Guidelines for the Ontario Bridge Training Program (OBTP)

Contacts

Please email questions to SettlementAndIntegrationPrograms@ontario.ca using the subject heading: OBTP CFP.

Winter Roads Program: Bridges and Culverts Stream

Status: Open

Winter Roads Program: Bridges and Culverts Stream

Deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Applications will be evaluated during assessment periods outlined in the program guidelines.

Description

The Winter Roads Program – Bridges and Culverts Stream provides funding to Northern Ontario remote communities for new water crossing infrastructure (pre-engineered bridges and culverts) and repairs to existing water crossing structures.

Projects are located on the Ontario winter roads network, which provides vital seasonal connections between the Far North and the provincial highway network.

Eligibility

Project funding is open to remote communities in Northern Ontario that are not connected to a provincial highway network by an all-season road. Eligible applicants include Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations such as Tribal Councils, corporations or partnerships formed by eligible applicants to build or maintain winter roads, and the Town of Moosonee.

Applications may be submitted by:

Single applicants – one eligible applicant.

Joint applicants – two or more eligible applicants.

Applicants are encouraged, wherever possible, to submit applications with multiple projects that cover the same road network. Applicants are also encouraged to work together to maximize the benefits of available funding through joint applications.

Joint applications must be accompanied by a resolution in support of the application from each applicant represented on the application. The applicant responsible for maintaining the corridor where the project is located should be identified as the project lead and submit the application.

Program guidelines

Read the Winter Roads Program – Bridges and Culverts Program Guidelines for full details on the program stream.

Contacts

For questions about the Winter Roads Program – Bridges and Culverts Stream, please email winter.roads@ontario.ca.

Closed funding opportunities

Learn about past funding opportunities from the Government of Ontario.

Contact us

 

For questions about applying to specific funding opportunities, please contact the funding program directly. 

For all other questions, please contact Transfer Payment Ontario Client Care from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for government and statutory holidays, at:

Please include the following details for quicker service via email:

  • the name of the program you are interested in
  • your case or file number
  • the name of your organization

For 24/7 assistance: