REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (FedDev Ontario)
Compared with the 242 other application forms we have read
- Scored mainly on what it puts back into the local economy. 19 lead with that.
- States real length limits, about 5,700 words in total. Only 64 tell you how long to write.
- What does not disqualify you: Diversity and inclusion section optional; No signature when filing electronically. 119 record an exemption like this.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable FedDev Ontario funding for not-for-profit innovation enablers — accelerators, incubators, Community Futures Development Corporations, economic-development organizations, and Indigenous organizations — that build southern Ontario's regional innovation ecosystem. Projects must deliver business-support programming that helps Southern Ontario businesses and entrepreneurs grow, compete, and create jobs. Continuous intake with no set deadlines.
Eligibility Requirements
- Not-for-profit organization operating in southern Ontario (does not include Northern Ontario — FedNor delivers REGI there)
- Eligible organization types: non-profit corporations, Indigenous organizations, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), municipalities and regional governments, post-secondary institutions, and other innovation enablers
- Project must support businesses or community economic development in southern Ontario: growing economic clusters, building regional capacity (risk capital, export and talent services, technology adoption, mentorship and training), or strengthening small and rural communities (attracting business, talent and investment, supply chain localization)
- For-profit companies are generally not eligible under the RIE stream (apply to FedDev's REGI Business Scale-up & Productivity stream instead)
- Enhanced consideration for organizations serving underrepresented groups: women, Indigenous peoples, Black-led, and young entrepreneurs
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $125K–$10MTypically $125,000–$10,000,000 (non-repayable for NPO ecosystem projects; up to ~50% of eligible costs)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Moderate — standard application process
Moderate competition — prepare a strong application
Complex — detailed documentation needed
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipFedDev Ontario's REGI RIE stream funds the organizations that support businesses — not the businesses themselves.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Applicant is a for-profit company (must use REGI BSP stream instead)
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
How REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems judges your application
What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.
Distilled from 6+ source documents on feddev-ontario.canada.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-10.
6 of the sources
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow in southern…
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: Who can apply
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: How funding works
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: How projects…
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: How to apply
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: Application Guide
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What REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems favours
Make the case this project merits funding◦
“This section should serve as a rationale for why this project should receive funding.”
The form
Eligibility
- 1Who can applycheckboxesno limit
Applicant information
- 1-7Applicant information - identity (Q1-Q7)short answerno limit
- 8Organization description (Q8)written answer · 3,000 characters
8. Provide a brief description of your organization, which must include:
- 9-13Incorporation date, fiscal year end, employees (Q9-Q13)short answerno limit
- 14-18FedDev contact, address, web presence, language (Q14-Q18)short answerno limit
- 19-20Authorized project and financial contacts (Q19-Q20)short answerno limit
Project plan and results
- 21Short project description (Q21)written answer · 200 characters
21. Provide a short project description (2-3 sentences), summarizing the project and outlining the project's results.
- 23-27Project dates, location, federal lands, official language (Q23-Q27)short answerno limit
- 28Project plan and sustainability (Q28)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 29Objectives and outcomes (Q29)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 30Further distribution to ultimate recipients (Q30)yes/no + written · 3,000 characters
- 31Clean growth outcomes (Q31)yes/no + written · 3,000 characters
- 37Project results (Q37)tableno limit
Partners, clientele and risk
- 32Diversity and inclusion (Q32, voluntary)checkboxes · 1,000 characters
- 33Project partners (Q33)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 34Clientele, value proposition and similar initiatives (Q34)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 35Risks and mitigation (Q35)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 36Need for funding (Q36)written answer · 3,000 characters
Budget and financials
- 38Project budget (Q38)spreadsheetno limit
- 39Amount requested (Q39)short answerno limit
- 40Government funding in the last five years (Q40)tableno limit
- 41Current financial performance (Q41)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 42Sustainability beyond the project (Q42)written answer · 3,000 characters
Attachments and certification
- 43Attachments (Q43)checkboxno limit
- 25Certificationcheckboxno limit
bar = length the funder allows, from its stated limits
Judged against
- 1
Will the project deliver the results claimed?
Show them Quantify each outcome for client businesses and the region in Q29 and Q37, with measurable and verifiable numbers rather than intent.◦
In the funder’s words · 1
- Expected results of the project
- 2
Is the plan, budget and team credible?
What to show, and the funder’s 3 criteria behind it in Premium
- 3
Will it last, and who else pays?
What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium
- 4
Who benefits, and is it inclusive?
What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium
7 questions the reviewer answers about you, in Premium.
Where applicants fail
“Incomplete applications cannot be assessed and may be deemed ineligible.”
“Blank spaces count against character limits in the application form.”
Premium · the rest of this brief
See all 9 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.
6 more rules that can reject you · 6 more criteria · 23 more prompts
Do you pass?
Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.
You
Incorporated not-for-profit in southern Ontario
Incorporated not-for-profit organizations in southern Ontario that support businesses and/or community economic development.
Your organisation
Not-for-profit, public or Indigenous body
This Stream provides a non-repayable contribution to not-for-profit organizations that may include a group or alliance such as an industry association or consortium, post-secondary institutions, innovation centers, business accelerators and incubators, angel networks, Indigenous organizations, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), Municipalities and other municipal-type organizations, and other not-for-profit organizations, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
The project
Costs cannot begin before applying
Proposed activities and related costs cannot begin before the date the application is submitted.
2 things this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.
Documents to attach
Ticks are kept on this device.
The money
Award range$125K to $10M per project
Applicants normally request a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $10 million per project in non-repayable contribution funding.
Further-distribution capup to $100K per recipient
Funding for further distribution: Funding provided to an ultimate recipient (up to $100K) or to capitalize a loan pool.
Labour benefits capup to 20% of labour costs
If labour is an eligible and supported cost, FedDev Ontario will reimburse benefits up to a maximum of 20% of the approved eligible and supported labour costs claimed per employee.
In-kind matchcash and in-kind contributions
may be comprised of cash contributions and in-kind contributions from other project partners
Holdback10% holdback
Contribution Agreements are subject to a 10% holdback.
Reimbursed on claimsReimbursed on approved costs claimed
Funding will be reimbursed based on approved costs incurred and claimed throughout the project's duration.
Your share50% of eligible project costs
Normally, FedDev Ontario's rate of support is 50% of eligible project costs.
StackingTotal government assistance capped at 100%
Total government assistance (including federal, provincial and municipal) for a project cannot exceed 100% of eligible costs.
Costs before approvalCosts cannot precede application submission
Proposed activities and related costs cannot begin before the date the application is submitted.
What it pays for · 3
- Project management: costs not covered elsewhere, including oversight and administration of a project (e.g., incremental rental of space for project activities, insurance, environmental assessments, and meeting/conference fees) and/or reporting costs (e.g., monitoring, results reporting and financial accounting for a project.)
- Funding for further distribution: Funding provided to an ultimate recipient (up to $100K) or to capitalize a loan pool.
- Labour: incremental salaries and benefits for individual employees directly related to completing the activities of the project, other than those covered under Expertise (contracted services) or Project Management costs.
What it does not pay for · 4
- Costs deemed unreasonable, non-incremental and/or not directly related to project activities, for example: land and building costs, operating costs, cost of amortization, refinancing of existing debts and more.
- The purchase of land, building(s) or vehicles is not eligible.
- Eligible costs exclude hospitality and entertainment costs.
- Eligible costs exclude costs of external (third-party) consultants paid to prepare an application.
From application to money
- Submit the formSubmit form in Acrobat Reader
- Receipt acknowledgedwithin two (2) business daysAcknowledged within 2 business days
- Programme assignmentAssigned to regional programme
- Confirm funding, signSign agreement within 30 days
- Claims reimbursedReimbursed on approved costs claimed
- Report resultsReport performance and results later
In the funder’s words · 6
- Submit the form
- Download FDO0090E, complete it in Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 or later, add attachments with Add Attachments and press Submit.
- Receipt acknowledged
- FedDev Ontario will acknowledge receipt of an application within two (2) business days of receiving a signed funding application.
- Programme assignment
- FedDev Ontario assigns the application to the Regional Innovation Ecosystem or Community Economic Development and Diversification programme.
- Confirm funding, sign
- If a project is approved, you will be expected to confirm all sources of the matching funding (e.g., bank statements, term sheets, letters of conditional funding, and other government funding) and sign a contribution agreement within 30 calendar days of being notified.
- Claims reimbursed
- Funding will be reimbursed based on approved costs incurred and claimed throughout the project's duration.
- Report results
- Recipients will also be required to submit reports and other statements that provide details on project performance and comply with official languages and visibility and funding acknowledgement requirements in the contribution agreement.
Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.
Everything you need to win REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 8-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 6
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
- 5 more application steps
- 6 more required documents
- 8 eligible expenses
- 6 ineligible expenses
- Intake periods
- Deadline notes
- Ineligible organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskHow REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems... | Typically $125,000–$10,000,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
| Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI... | Up to 40% of eligible costs | Hard | Varies | The 2027 Innovation Fund... |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Starter Company Plus Grant | $5,000 micro-grant | Moderate | Varies | Applications are... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems