News & Updates

Building Inclusive Communities Fund: Provincial funding for projects that promote cultural diversity, inclusion, equity, and community participation.
Funding available is up to $10,000, covering 85% of eligible costs for Tier 1 applicants (asks under $5,000) and 75% for Tier 2 applicants (asks under $10,000).

Open to:

• Municipalities
• Municipal-owned Organizations
• Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities
• Registered charities, non-profit societies and cooperatives based in Nova Scotia

Application deadline: October 15, 2026

Accelerating Circularity in Construction Materials: GMF grants for feasibility studies on diverting construction, renovation and demolition waste through circular economy solutions at the municipal level. Funding is up to $100,000 (up to 50% of eligible costs, with higher cost shares for smaller, Northern and eligible Indigenous communities).

Open to:

• Municipalities
• Municipal-owned Organizations
• First Nations

Application deadline: June 26, 2026

Tourism Digital Assistance Program – Communities: Provincial program matching NS municipalities and tourism organizations with digital consultants for up to $15,000 in services to promote communities online.

Open to:

• Municipalities
• Non-profit Organizations
• Community Groups

Application deadline: May 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM ADT

Build Canada Homes (BCH): Federal agency investing in affordable housing at scale through loans, grants, and partnerships with municipalities, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations. BCH is currently seeking shovel-ready projects that materially expand the stock of affordable housing.

Open to:

• Municipalities
• First Nations
• Non-profit Organizations
• Community Groups
• Registered Charities

Deadline: Proposals are accepted on a continuous basis

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund: Funding to improve arts and heritage cultural spaces across Canada through renovations, specialized equipment purchases, and planning and feasibility studies.

Open to:

• Municipalities
• First Nations
• Non-profit Organizations
• Municipal-owned Organizations

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis

HCi3 Grant Program: Grants for community-driven climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with two streams funding up to $10,000 and $75,000.

The program offers two funding streams. The Acceleration Stream provides grants up to $75,000 for larger, scalable initiatives ready to accelerate their impact, with projects up to 24 months in duration. The Catalyst Stream provides grants up to $10,000 as seed funding for new or emerging climate initiatives, with a simplified application process.

• Application deadline:
  • Catalyst Stream: Rolling (until funds are allocated)
  • Acceleration Stream: Spring intake (EOI Mar 23) and Fall intake (EOI Oct 5)

• Information Sessions:
  • February 25 | 2:00 PM Atlantic Time | register here
  • February 26 | 10:00 AM Atlantic Time | register here

RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program: Grants up to $40,000 for permanent accessibility infrastructure improvements. For municipalities, charities, qualified donees, and incorporated non-profits. 40 grants available.

• Application deadline: March 15, 2026, 11:00 PM PST

Festival and Community Event Development program has been added and is now open. Provincial funding up to $10,000 to help sustain, grow, or improve unique community festivals and events across Nova Scotia (for a specific project or component of an event).

Open to:

• Municipalities
• Non-profits registered in NS
• Mi’kmaq communities

Deadline: February 27, 2026 (4:00 PM Atlantic)

New Funding Opportunity Added to the Portal:

• Wellness Fund: Provincial grants of $500–$3,500 for community projects that address social determinants of health. Funded through Nova Scotia’s Community Health Boards, the program supports upstream health initiatives including intergenerational activities, food literacy, and social connection projects.
  • Application window: February 16 – April 15, 2026

Update to Existing Program:

• Energy Innovation Program – Off-Site Construction Challenge (Stream 2) is now open. Federal funding for projects demonstrating innovative off-site construction methods for energy-efficient multi-unit residential buildings. Phase 1 offers design grants up to $180,000; Phase 2 offers up to $10 million for finalists to bring designs to construction.
  • Deadline: March 27, 2026

• Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages: Federal salary subsidies for employers creating short-term bilingual jobs for youth ages 15-30. Non-profits may receive up to 70% of employment costs; public or private sector organizations (including municipalities) up to 50%.
  • Deadline: February 3, 2026
• Enabling Accessibility Fund – 2026 Call for Proposals: Federal funding of $500,000 to $1,000,000 for projects that improve workplace accessibility for persons with disabilities. No matching funds required.
  • Deadline: March 12, 2026

• Electrify Nova Scotia MHZEV Rebate Program: Provincial rebates up to $50,000 for medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles purchased or leased by NS municipalities, First Nations, and non-profit organizations.
  • Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis.

• Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education: Federal funding up to $200,000 for national and regional outreach projects that increase public, industry, and local government knowledge about light-duty EV charging and ownership, with priority for projects in underserved regions, including Atlantic Canada.
  • Deadline: February 19, 2026.

• Innovative Communities Fund: Federal non-repayable contributions for community-based projects across Atlantic Canada that build local economies, strengthen rural infrastructure, and help communities address economic challenges.
  • Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.
• Affordable360 – Predevelopment Feasibility Cohort: No-cost feasibility support and free software access for municipalities and non-profit housing providers developing affordable housing, includes planning/zoning review, 3D massing/early design, preliminary cost estimates, and hands-on training.
  • Deadline (Current cohort): December 23, 2025.

The Digital Content Marketing Program provides Nova Scotia tourism businesses and organizations the opportunity to partner with Tourism Nova Scotia to create high-quality photos and videos and develop digital marketing campaigns in key markets. The program offers two streams: Content Creation (minimum $10,000 partner investment) and Digital Marketing (minimum $7,500 media budget plus 15% admin fee). Tourism Nova Scotia matches all partner investments.

• Deadline: January 30, 2026

The Age-friendly Communities Grant program provides provincial funding for projects and planning that help older Nova Scotians stay active, healthy, and engaged in their communities. Project grants typically provide up to $10,000 (up to $20,000 for larger or provincial initiatives), while planning grants offer up to $25,000 to support age-friendly assessments and plans in partnership with local government.

• Deadline: Currently closed. Future intakes are expected but have not yet been announced.

• Civil Forfeiture Grant Program: Provincial one-time funding supporting victims of crime and crime prevention initiatives across Nova Scotia, funded from forfeited property seized by law enforcement.
  • Deadline: Applications accepted on rolling basis.
• Crime Prevention Community Grant: Provincial funding up to $12,000 annually for youth-directed crime prevention programs supporting recreational, educational, and after-school programming.
  • Deadline: 2025-26 intake is closed (late applications typically considered if funding is available). Future intakes are expected but not yet announced.