Ontario Innovation Grants & Tax Credits 2026
Access $3.2B+ in Ontario innovation funding through the 10% Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC), Jobs and Prosperity Fund, Ontario Centres of Excellence, and sector-specific programs supporting advanced manufacturing, life sciences, AI & digital technology across Canada's largest innovation ecosystem.
Major Ontario Innovation Programs
Ontario's premier R&D tax incentive providing a 10% refundable tax credit on eligible Ontario research and development expenditures, stackable with federal SR&ED tax credits for combined support up to 75%.
Eligible OITC Expenditures:
- • Ontario-based R&D salaries and wages
- • Materials consumed in R&D
- • Ontario R&D overhead expenses
- • Subcontractor payments (Ontario-based)
OITC Benefits:
- • 10% refundable tax credit
- • Stacks with federal SR&ED (up to 75% total)
- • No expenditure limit
- • Cash refund for eligible corporations
Ontario's flagship economic development program supporting large-scale business expansion, modernization, and commercialization projects that create jobs and drive innovation across strategic sectors.
Project Focus:
- • Business expansion and modernization
- • Manufacturing facility upgrades
- • Technology commercialization
- • Strategic sector investments
Funding Structure:
- • Up to 15% of eligible project costs
- • Repayable performance-based loans
- • Minimum $5M project investment
- • Job creation requirements
Ontario's innovation network facilitating university-industry collaboration, technology commercialization, and talent development through multiple funding streams and partnership programs.
OCE Programs:
- • Voucher for Innovation & Productivity (VIP)
- • Market Readiness Co-Investment (MRCI)
- • TalentEdge internship programs
- • SmartStart seed funding
Support Features:
- • 50/50 cost-share models
- • Access to university researchers
- • Technology validation support
- • Commercialization mentorship
Network of 17 regional innovation centres across Ontario providing free advisory services, mentorship, and connections to funding programs for technology startups and scale-ups.
RIC Services:
- • Business advisory and mentorship
- • Funding navigation and applications
- • Technology commercialization support
- • Market intelligence and connections
Regional Coverage:
- • Toronto & GTA innovation hubs
- • Ottawa & Eastern Ontario tech corridor
- • Kitchener-Waterloo Region tech ecosystem
- • Southwest, Central, Northern Ontario
Ontario Innovation Sector Highlights
Ontario's largest innovation sector with comprehensive support for Industry 4.0, automation, and manufacturing technology development.
Canada's premier life sciences cluster supporting biotech, pharma, medical devices, and health technology innovation.
Leading artificial intelligence and digital innovation ecosystem with Vector Institute and comprehensive AI research support.
Growing cleantech sector with support for renewable energy, environmental technology, and sustainable innovation.
Agricultural technology and food innovation support with focus on precision agriculture and food processing technology.
Support for frontier technologies including quantum computing, space tech, and next-generation innovation.
Ontario Regional Innovation Hubs
Toronto Innovation Corridor: Canada's largest tech hub with MaRS Discovery District, Vector Institute for AI, and extensive startup ecosystem.
- • AI & machine learning excellence
- • FinTech & financial services innovation
- • Life sciences & MedTech cluster
- • Extensive venture capital access
Technology Corridor: National capital region with strengths in telecommunications, cybersecurity, and government technology.
- • Telecommunications & 5G innovation
- • Cybersecurity & defense tech
- • Clean technology development
- • Government procurement opportunities
Innovation Triangle: University of Waterloo ecosystem with Communitech hub and strong automotive tech presence.
- • Quantum computing leadership
- • Automotive & autonomous vehicles
- • Software engineering talent
- • Strong startup culture
Advanced Manufacturing Hub: Strong manufacturing base with growing health sciences and agricultural technology sectors.
- • Advanced manufacturing & automation
- • Health sciences & medical devices
- • Agricultural technology
- • Food processing innovation
Ontario Innovation Funding Success Strategies
Ready to Access Ontario Innovation Funding?
Get expert help navigating Ontario's innovation ecosystem and maximizing your OITC, JPF, and OCE funding. Our Ontario specialists have secured $420M+ in provincial innovation funding.
83% success rate • $420M+ secured • OITC, JPF & OCE expertise