Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Canadian government grants and GrantWise Canada.
About Canadian Government Grants
What is a Canadian government grant?
A Canadian government grant is non-repayable funding provided by federal, provincial, or municipal governments to help businesses grow, innovate, hire, and export. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid — they are a permanent capital injection. The Canadian government offers 194+ active grant programs worth over $3.5 billion annually.
Who is eligible for Canadian business grants?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Canadian government grants require: a registered Canadian business (federal or provincial incorporation), a minimum period in operation (usually 1-2 years), a specific project purpose (R&D, hiring, export, digital adoption), and meeting size criteria (most target SMBs with fewer than 500 employees). Some grants are exclusive to specific groups — women entrepreneurs, Indigenous-owned businesses, BIPOC founders, youth entrepreneurs, or specific provinces.
Are Canadian grants really free money?
Yes and no. Grants are non-repayable — you don't pay them back. But they are not unconditional. You must: use the funds for the stated purpose, meet reporting requirements, achieve the promised outcomes (jobs created, revenue targets), and maintain records for audit. Think of grants as performance-based funding, not a lottery win.
Can I apply for multiple grants at the same time?
Yes. Grant stacking is a legitimate and common strategy. Many Canadian businesses simultaneously hold SR&ED tax credits, IRAP funding, and a provincial grant — often for different aspects of the same project or for different projects. Always disclose other government funding in each application, as most programs require this and adjust their contribution accordingly.
How long does it take to receive a grant?
Timelines vary significantly by program: CDAP (if open): 3–6 weeks approval, faster disbursement. IRAP: 2–4 months from ITA assessment to first payment. SR&ED: 60–120 days after filing tax return. CanExport: 4–8 weeks. Provincial grants: 4–12 weeks. Plan around these timelines — do not rely on grant funds for immediate operational expenses.
What happens if my grant application is rejected?
A rejection is not permanent. Request written feedback from the program officer immediately — most programs provide this upon request. Use the feedback to strengthen your application for the next intake cycle. Many businesses that are initially rejected succeed on their second attempt. GrantWise helps you understand rejection reasons and improve your application language.
About GrantWise Canada
What is GrantWise Canada?
GrantWise Canada is an AI-powered grant discovery and application writing platform. We maintain a database of 200+ federal, provincial, and private Canadian grant programs. Our AI matches your business to grants you likely qualify for, checks your eligibility before you invest time applying, and generates professional, tailored grant application drafts in minutes.
How accurate is the grant database?
Our grant information is sourced exclusively from official government portals (Canada.ca, ISED Canada, provincial government websites, and program administrators). We review and verify all entries weekly. When programs close, change deadlines, or update eligibility requirements, we update within 48 hours. Grant programs are never ranked by sponsorship or payment — purely by eligibility fit.
How does the AI application writing work?
You provide your business profile (industry, province, employees, description, project goals) and select a grant. Our AI analyzes the specific grant's evaluation criteria and writes a tailored, professional application that uses the program's own language and priorities. The output is a strong first draft — you should review, customize with specific financial figures, and add your unique voice before submitting.
Is GrantWise a grant consultant or grant agency?
No. GrantWise is a software platform (SaaS), not a consulting firm. We do not represent you to government agencies, guarantee funding outcomes, or provide legal advice. We are a tool that makes the grant discovery and application writing process dramatically faster and easier. For complex programs like SR&ED, we recommend also consulting with a specialized SR&ED consultant for the technical portions.
Pricing & Account
Is GrantWise free to use?
Yes — our Starter plan is permanently free and includes 3 grant searches per month, basic eligibility checking, and 1 AI application draft. No credit card required to start. Paid plans (starting at $79 CAD/month) provide unlimited searches, more AI drafts, application tracking, and priority support.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, absolutely. You can cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings or by contacting hello@grantwisecanada.ca. You retain access to your paid plan features until the end of your current billing period. There are no cancellation fees.
Do you offer discounts for non-profits or Indigenous businesses?
Yes. Non-profits and registered charities receive a free Pro plan forever. Indigenous-owned businesses receive 50% off all plans. Youth entrepreneurs (under 25) receive 50% off. Email hello@grantwisecanada.ca with proof of eligibility to receive your discount code.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through our secure payment processor, Stripe. All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) plus applicable GST/HST. We do not accept e-transfers or cheques at this time.
Privacy & Data
What data does GrantWise collect?
We collect: your email address and name (via Google sign-in), the business information you enter in your profile (name, industry, province, description), and grant applications you generate. We do not collect financial account information, SIN numbers, or sensitive government ID. Your business profile data is used only to generate grant matches and application drafts for you.
Is my business information shared with anyone?
Your business information is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes. We share data only with: our AI infrastructure provider (for application generation), our payment processor Stripe (for billing only), and as required by Canadian law. See our full Privacy Policy for details.
Is GrantWise compliant with Canadian privacy law?
Yes. GrantWise operates under PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) and applicable provincial privacy legislation. We maintain a Privacy Policy detailing how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. You may request access to or deletion of your data at any time by contacting privacy@grantwisecanada.ca.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Email us and we'll get back to you within one business day.