How to Apply for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program in Nova Scotia

How to Apply for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program in Nova Scotia

If your Nova Scotia business needs expert help to improve productivity or develop a new product, the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program can pay for most of the cost. This provincial program lets small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) work with universities and colleges to solve business problems. Funding is provided as a voucher, not a loan, and does not need to be repaid if used as approved.

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What Is the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program?

The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is run by Invest Nova Scotia. It helps eligible businesses get specialized help from Nova Scotia post-secondary schools. With this program, you can:

• Improve how your business works
• Create a new product, service, or process
• Get support for applied research or testing

Instead of paying a service provider yourself, the province gives you a voucher that covers approved costs.

How Much Funding Is Available?

There are two voucher levels:

• Tier 1 Voucher

  • Up to $15,000 per project
  • For businesses that have not received a voucher before, or are starting a new project
  • Each business can receive two Tier 1 vouchers in total

• Tier 2 Voucher

  • Up to $25,000
  • For projects that build on work done with a Tier 1 voucher

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Eligibility Requirements You Must Meet

To apply for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program, your business must:

• Be a small or medium-sized business in Nova Scotia
• Have a clear productivity or innovation problem to solve
• Work with an eligible post-secondary service provider, such as:
  • Nova Scotia universities
  • Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
• Propose a project focused on applied research or technical problem-solving
• Not exceed the limit of two Tier 1 vouchers per business

The voucher cannot be used to hire private consultants or for your own staff’s work.

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Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program

1. Define Your Business Problem

Start with a clear challenge, such as:

• Lowering production costs
• Testing a new way to make your product
• Creating or improving a prototype
• Automating a manual task

Simple, clear project goals make your application stronger.

2. Choose an Eligible Service Provider

You must partner with a Nova Scotia university or college. Most schools have industry liaison offices that can help you plan your project and check if you qualify.

3. Confirm Voucher Tier

• If it’s a new or early-stage project → Tier 1
• If it builds on a finished Tier 1 project → Tier 2

This step sets your funding limit.

4. Prepare the Application

Your application should include:

• A summary of your business
• A project description and your goals
• A timeline and clear deliverables
• Details about your service provider
• A budget that fits within the voucher amount

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher is a quick way to check if your business and project fit this program before you start your application.

5. Submit Through Invest Nova Scotia

Send your application through Invest Nova Scotia’s program intake. The program is open now, but funding is limited and not every project will be chosen.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing the wrong service provider
  Only Nova Scotia universities and colleges are eligible. Private labs or consultants do not qualify.

• Applying for Tier 2 without a finished Tier 1 project
  You must complete a Tier 1 project before you can apply for Tier 2.

• Vague project outcomes
  Applications without clear, specific goals are less likely to get approved.

• Ignoring voucher limits
  You can only receive $15,000 for Tier 1 and $25,000 for Tier 2.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program in Nova Scotia?
It is a provincial funding program that helps SMEs pay for applied research and technical help from post-secondary schools. Funding is provided as a voucher, not as cash.

Q: Do I need to work with a university or college?
Yes. You must work with a Nova Scotia post-secondary school to qualify.

Q: How many times can my business receive a Tier 1 voucher?
A business can get up to two Tier 1 vouchers in total.

Q: What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 vouchers?
Tier 1 supports new projects up to $15,000. Tier 2 provides up to $25,000 for projects that build on completed Tier 1 work.

Q: Is the voucher considered taxable income?
Grant funding may be taxable depending on how you use it. Speak with your accountant for advice about your business.

Looking for more programs like this? GrantHub keeps track of the latest grant and voucher programs in Nova Scotia and across Canada.

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Next Steps

If you are planning a productivity or innovation project, this voucher program is one of the fastest ways to get expert support in Nova Scotia. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including provincial innovation vouchers. Use GrantHub to see which programs match your business before you apply.

See also:

• Nova Scotia Small Business Tax Deduction: Eligibility Explained
• Co-op Student Hiring Incentives in Nova Scotia: Is It Right for Your Business?
• College and Community Social Innovation Grant: Eligibility for Partners