Canada has dozens of grant programs at the federal and provincial level — money that does not need to be repaid, provided you use it for the intended purpose. The challenge is that these programs are scattered across different departments, are often poorly publicized, and have eligibility rules that many qualifying Canadians never investigate.
This guide covers the major grant programs by category: education, disability savings, student financial assistance, home energy, business, and housing.
Education grants (RESP)
Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)
The CESG matches 20% of RESP contributions on the first $2,500 per year — that is $500 in free grant money per beneficiary per year.
| Family net income | CESG rate on first $500 | CESG rate on next $2,000 | Max annual CESG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under ~$55,867 | 40% (+20% extra) | 20% | $600 |
| $55,867–$111,733 | 30% (+10% extra) | 20% | $550 |
| Over $111,733 | 20% | 20% | $500 |
Lifetime CESG limit: $7,200 per child
Eligible children: Age 0 through 17 (contributions in the year a child turns 17 have restrictions)
Unused grant room carries forward — if you did not contribute in a prior year, you can catch up by contributing more and earning grant on up to $5,000 in a single year (max $1,000 grant that year).
Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
For low-income families only — and crucially, no contributions to the RESP are required to receive the CLB.
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| First year eligible | $500 |
| Each subsequent eligible year (up to age 15) | $100 |
| Maximum total | $2,000 |
Eligibility is based on the number of children in the family and net family income — approximately aligned with the Canada Child Benefit low-income threshold. A family with four or more children qualifies at a higher income than a family with one or two.
To claim the CLB, open an RESP for the child and apply for the CLB through the financial institution where the RESP is held. Service Canada determines eligibility.
Important: The CLB is often left unclaimed because families assume they need to save money first. Opening an RESP with zero contributions immediately unlocks the CLB deposit.
Disability savings grants and bonds (RDSP)
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) has two government components: the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB). Both require a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate.
Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG)
Matches your contributions — the lower your income, the higher the match.
| Family net income | Grant on first $500 | Grant on next $1,000 | Max annual grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under ~$36,502 | 300% ($1,500) | 200% ($2,000) | $3,500 |
| $36,503–$103,982 | 100% ($500) | 100% ($1,000) | $1,500 |
| Over $103,982 | No grant | No grant | $0 |
Lifetime CDSG limit: $70,000
Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB)
A grant that requires no RDSP contributions — just open the account.
| Family net income | Annual bond |
|---|---|
| Under ~$36,502 | $1,000 |
| $36,502–$55,867 | Partial (phased) |
| Over ~$55,867 | $0 |
Lifetime CDSB limit: $20,000
Both grants must be repaid if the RDSP is closed within 10 years of receiving them. After the 10-year window, repayment obligations expire.
Post-secondary student grants
Canada Student Grant (non-repayable)
Part of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. Unlike student loans, these do not need to be repaid.
| Student type | Maximum annual grant (2026) |
|---|---|
| Full-time, low-income family | $4,200 |
| Full-time, middle-income family | Reduced (phased down) |
| Part-time students | Up to $1,600/year |
| Students with permanent disability | Up to $4,000 (additional) |
| Students with dependants | Up to $200/week per child |
Apply through the student aid application in your province — most provinces are integrated with the federal OSAP/StudentAidBC/Alberta system. Grant eligibility is assessed at the same time as loan applications.
Canada Apprentice Loan
For registered apprentices in Red Seal trades: an interest-free loan (not a grant) of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. No repayment required while in training. See canada.ca/apprentice-loan for details.
Home energy grants
Canada Greener Homes Loan
An interest-free loan (not technically a grant) of up to $40,000 for qualifying home energy retrofits:
- Heat pump installation
- Insulation upgrades
- Window and door replacement
- Solar panels
- Renewable energy systems
- EV charging stations
Repaid over 10 years with no interest. Requires a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment. Apply at canada.ca/greener-homes-loan.
Provincial energy rebates
| Province | Key programs | What they cover |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate | Up to $5,000 for insulation, heat pumps, thermostats |
| BC | CleanBC Better Homes | Up to $16,000 for heat pumps, insulation |
| Alberta | Affordability Action Plan rebates | Energy efficiency upgrades |
| Quebec | Programme Rénoclimat | Up to $5,000 for insulation, heating systems |
| Nova Scotia | Efficiency NS programs | Heat pumps, insulation (significant rebates) |
Most provincial programs are additive — you can stack federal and provincial grants on the same project.
Tax credits that function like grants
These are non-refundable or refundable tax credits — not strictly “grants,” but they reduce your tax bill or generate a refund:
| Program | Maximum value | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| First-Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit | $1,500 | First-time buyers of qualifying homes |
| Home Accessibility Tax Credit | Up to $3,000 | Seniors and people with disabilities making home adaptations |
| Canada Workers Benefit | $1,518 (single) | Low-income workers — partially a refundable credit |
| Disability Tax Credit | ~$1,700 federal + provincial | Individuals with severe and prolonged impairments |
The Home Buyers’ Amount ($10,000 credit for first-time buyers) flows through your tax return and reduces taxes owing by up to $1,500 — see canada.ca for the First-Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit.
Business grants
NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)
Non-repayable financial contributions for Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (under 500 employees) doing technical innovation. Covers:
- Salaries of R&D employees
- Subcontracting R&D work
- Costs of new technologies
Apply at nrc.canada.ca/irap. An IRAP advisor visits your business to assess eligibility.
SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development)
Not a grant but a powerful refundable tax credit for businesses doing R&D:
- Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs): 35% refundable credit on up to $3M in eligible expenditures
- Other businesses: 15% non-refundable credit
SR&ED is one of the most generous R&D tax incentive programs in the world and is available to businesses of any size.
CanExport
Provides funding of $20,000–$99,999 to help Canadian businesses develop new export markets. Apply at tradecommissioner.gc.ca/canexport.
Provincial business grants
Every province has a business development grants program. Key examples:
- Ontario: Ontario Centre of Innovation grants for technology companies
- Alberta: Alberta Innovates for tech and life sciences
- BC: Innovate BC programs
- Quebec: Investissement Québec grants for manufacturing, tech, and export
Finding grants you qualify for
- CRA My Account — see all active credits and refundable amounts you are receiving
- Canada.ca benefits finder — filters by situation (family, housing, health, business)
- BDC grants database — for business grants by province and industry
- 211 — free national helpline for social and financial program navigation
- Financial help for low-income Canadians — see our complete low-income benefits guide for the full map of benefit programs