Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF)
Official funding support offered by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Offset costs with up to Up to $150,000+ (reimburses up to 100% of training costs).

How does a business qualify for the ONTARIO HIRING GRANT?
To qualify for the Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF), a business must be incorporated in Canada and demonstrate active operations. The program offers up to Up to $150,000+ (reimburses up to 100% of training costs) in non-dilutive capital, which is categorized under a Moderate funding difficulty level. Applicants must ensure they meet all technical benchmarks and file using official channels before specific application windows close.
- •Updated June 2026: Skills Development Fund Training Stream Round 5 officially opened with $150M in new funding.
Helps employers retrain existing employees or onboard new hires to operate advanced machinery, software, or digital systems in Ontario.
Key Features
| Funding Limit | Up to $150,000+ (reimburses up to 100% of training costs) |
| Program Agency | Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development |
| Funding Type | Grant |
| Jurisdiction | Ontario, Canada |
Deadlines & Difficulty
| Difficulty | Moderate Match |
| Deadline Status | Multiple Windows |
| Official Portal | Visit Official Site |
💡 Expert Insider Tips
- •When purchasing advanced machinery (like CNC or robotics), isolate the training and commissioning line-item on the invoice to run it through this grant.
Calculate matching wage subsidies for co-op placements:
Try Hiring CalculatorTarget Industries
View custom eligibility criteria and stacking rules for your industry:
Related Resources & Guides
Federal Grant Application Strategies
Core guidelines for submitting technical proposals to government agencies.
Illustrative Stacking Models & Case Studies
Examine how typical companies combine wage support, research funds, and local credits.
Regional Directories & Industry Guides
Determine Your Funding Match Probability
Our pre-qualification review analyzes program requirements, stacking possibilities, and alignment to minimize filing rejections.
Comparison Guides
Compare Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF) against other active programs:
Local Business Guides
Browse municipal and regional funding availability:
Official Program Alignment
FSI Digital reviews eligibility standards in accordance with official guidelines. We never guarantee funding; all approvals are subject to official government program review.
Not sure if Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF) fits your business?
Get matched to your top 3 programs in 3 minutes
Our free eligibility calculator screens Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF) and 1,200+ other active programs against your business profile — then shows you exactly where you rank.
