Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)
Read our 2026 guide to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative · See what is open now
Compared with the 242 other application forms we have read
- The decision is made by a delivery partner, not the funder itself. 7 work that way.
- Scored mainly on what it puts back into the local economy. 19 lead with that.
- States real length limits, about 6,299 words in total. Only 64 tell you how long to write.
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Who actually receives this funding
167 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 194 awards since 2025. Typical award: $750K. Half of all awards fall between $547.1K and $1M. The advertised maximum is $3M — most awards land closer to $750K. 96% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Other fabricated metal products, Other motor vehicle parts, Steel product manufacturing. Top provinces: Ontario 97% · Yukon 1% · Nunavut 1%. Covers: Regional Tariff Response Initiative contributions from FedDev Ontario, FedNor and CanNor (PrairiesCan and PacifiCan have not yet published awards for this 2025 program). Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through October 2026.
The typical Regional Tariff Response Initiative award is $750K — the median of 194 awards since 2025, even though the program advertises up to $3M. In 2025, 167 businesses were funded; 96% were for-profit companies.
Named recipients
Recent recipients of the Regional Tariff Response Initiative include Prospec Steel Fabrication Limited (Sudbury, ON, 2026), TopROPS (Val Caron, ON, 2026) and FBT Inc. (St Catharines, ON, 2026).
- 2026Prospec Steel Fabrication Limited
- 2026TopROPS
- 2026FBT Inc.
- 2026MobilEx Terminal Ltd
- 2026Bluestreak Equipment Inc.
- 2026Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association
- 2026McRae Lumber
- 2026Toronto Business Development Centre
- 2026Viacore
- 2026FDF Race Shop
Show 30 more recipients
- 2026Lamko Tool & Mold Incorporated
- 2026Maurice Welding
- 2026The Corporation of The City of Brampton
- 2026ZF Lifetec
- 2026ZipGrow Inc.
- 2026Continental Conveyor (Ontario) Ltd.
- 2026Armada Toolworks Ltd.
- 2026Western Fair Association
- 2026Evik Diagnostic Innovations Inc.
- 2026Jammbco
- 2026Brentwood Classics Limited
- 2026DC Automotive Tooling Inc.
- 2026B&B Tool & Mould Limited
- 2026ICON Visual
- 2026Blade Air
- 2026Mincon Canada
- 2026Pilot Diamond Ltd.
- 2025Nunavut Fisheries Association
- 2025Undah Gogha Corporation
- 2025Cobalt Construction Inc.
- 2025Northern Vision Development Corp
- 2025A10 Fabrication
- 2025CMI Heavy Industries
- 2025Lecours Lumber Co. Limited
- 2025Kawartha Metals Corp.
- 2025Walters Inc.
- 2025Integran Technologies Inc.
- 2025Acorn Biolabs Inc.
- 2025Dieform Automation
- 2025Select Finishing
Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure
RTRI mostly pays for equipment
51% of 158 awards to businesses since April 2023 went to buying equipment or machinery, and 18% to improving or automating operations.
Where the money went share of 158 awards
Buying equipment or machinery51% 81
Projects of this kind typically received $736K since April 2023.
Improving or automating operations18% 28
Projects of this kind typically received $750K since April 2023.
Building or expanding a facility17% 27
Projects of this kind typically received $750K since April 2023.
Real projects funded, in the government’s own words
- Facility expansion and equipment purchase to enable production capacity expansion and cost efficiency gains.
- To expand steel production and shipping capacity in Hamilton, Ontario.
- Onshoring and expansion of steel products manufacturing to serve domestic critical minerals sector.
Entering new markets or exporting6% 10
Real projects funded, in the government’s own words
- To support commercialization of a flagship product in targeted international markets by establishing dedicated Ontario‑based sales functions for market expansion.
- Other project types 8%adopting existing technology, developing a new physical product, marketing and sales and more
Rare here: developing a new physical product (3%) and marketing and sales (<1%). Only 2% of these projects created something new; most bought or expanded something that already exists.
Real projects funded in the government’s own words
Buying equipment or machinery
- To modernize manufacturing operations and increase efficiency by acquiring and installing advanced production equipment to streamline fabrication processes.
- To invest in a state-of-the-art robotic welding line.
Improving or automating operations
- To replace its manual paint processes with a fully automated system to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness, and expand into new markets.
- To modernize a manufacturing facility through advanced automation and digital workflows.
Where in a company’s journey it pays
Most staged projects here were at the grow what works stage (73%).
- <1%Explore an idea
- <1%Build something new
- <1%Test and prove it
- 2%Launch it
- 73%Grow what works
The other 23% were not staged projects (hiring, advice, events) or did not say.
More about these projects
New, or more of what already works?
The remaining 9% were a mix of both, or the description did not say.
- 79%Leaves a physical asset behind
- 8%Aimed at markets outside Canada
- 3%Claims an environmental benefit
99% of these awards went to businesses in Ontario, so read this as the Ontario picture. How we know: we read the government’s published description of each award; an AI classifier sorted them, and we hand-checked a sample (92% correct). Individual awards can be misfiled, so read the shares as approximate. 29 more awards had descriptions too vague to sort and are left out. Federal disclosure lists awards above $25,000 only. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
A national program delivered through all 7 Regional Development Agencies (ACOA, CED, CanNor, FedNor, FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan) helping SMEs affected by U.S. and China tariffs. Since the September 2026 expansion it funds two things: liquidity assistance (up to $2 million non-repayable, up to 50% of eligible costs, covering payroll and essential operating costs for up to 12 months) and pivot projects that boost productivity, diversify markets and strengthen supply chains (up to $1 million non-repayable for projects with local or regional economic benefits, up to 50% of eligible costs). A business can combine them for up to $3 million non-repayable. Pivot projects over $1 million are funded as interest-free REPAYABLE contributions of up to 75% of costs, and total RTRI funding per business is capped at $20 million. ISED's national page states $3.45 billion over 4 years. Pivot project costs can start up to 12 months before the application date.
Eligibility Requirements
- Incorporated for-profit business located and operating in the region of the agency you apply to, with at least $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your last two fiscal years.
- No years-in-operation or employee-count test is published on the current agency pages. Agencies assess program criteria, demonstrated need and your proposed response to tariff impacts. Confirm details with your own agency.
- Must demonstrate direct or indirect tariff impact, for example: operating in a sector hit by Section 232 or 338 tariffs (including as a supply chain partner to an exporter), at least 25% of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or significant tariff-driven cost increases, supply chain disruption or lost revenue or customers
- Business must have been viable prior to March 21, 2025 (businesses established later may be considered case by case if tariffs since then have hurt them)
- Non-repayable funding is capped at $3 million per business in combination (up to $2 million liquidity plus up to $1 million pivot project); total RTRI funding including repayable is capped at $20 million. Previous RTRI recipients may be eligible for liquidity assistance if costs are not already funded by an existing agreement.
- Not-for-profit organizations whose primary focus is to support businesses can get project funding. They are not eligible for liquidity support for their own operating expenses.
- Non-repayable pivot projects (up to $1 million) must show broader local or regional economic benefits; liquidity applicants must show material tariff-related liquidity needs and commit to maintaining operations and employment in Canada
- Indigenous applicants: PrairiesCan normally funds up to 80% of eligible costs on commercial projects (at least 20% from non-PrairiesCan sources) and up to 100% on non-commercial projects
- Canadian content is a scored preference at PrairiesCan and a mandatory form question at PrairiesCan and PacifiCan; PrairiesCan's attestation form requires a two-year table of Canadian-input spend against cost of goods sold, and PacifiCan a 3,000-character narrative on Canadian technologies and products.
- 50% reimbursement applies to non-repayable for-profit funding only. Repayable contributions can reach 75% of eligible costs; not-for-profit applicants up to 90-100%; Indigenous applicants 80% (commercial) to 100% (non-commercial). Do not build a 50/50 budget without confirming which rate applies to your applicant type.
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $3MUp to $3,000,000 non-repayable per business ($2,000,000 liquidity assistance plus $1,000,000 for a pivot project, each up to 50% of eligible costs); pivot projects over $1,000,000 are interest-free repayable (up to 75% of costs); $20,000,000 total cap across all RTRI funding.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing. Intake varies by Regional Development Agency; PrairiesCan accepts applications until December 31, 2028 or until funding is fully committed. Liquidity support must end by March 31, 2028 and pivot projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Moderate — standard application process
Moderate competition — prepare a strong application
Moderate — standard requirements
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipApply to the RDA where your principal operations are located, and you cannot shop between agencies.
Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Insufficient tariff impact evidence — unable to demonstrate 25% sales to affected markets or quantify negative impact
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
How RTRI judges your application
What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.
Distilled from 6+ source documents, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-03.
6 of the sources
- GrantCompass record 222
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative ised-isde.canada.ca
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative in Atlantic Canada canada.ca
- Initiative de reponse regionale aux tarifs / RTRI canada.ca
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative cannor.gc.ca
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative fednor.canada.ca
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What RTRI favours
Detail assumptions behind your economic outcomes◦
“Identify and detail all assumptions to support the reasonableness of your economic outcomes.”
The form
PrairiesCan expression of interest
- 1Organization description and summary (PrairiesCan EOI)written answer · 500 characters
Provide a brief description and summary of your organization. (Maximum of 500 characters)
- 2Project title (PrairiesCan EOI)short answer · 90 characters
- 3Project activities in plain language (PrairiesCan EOI)written answer · 1,000 characters
Briefly describe your project activities in plain language. This is an important section as it will be used in summary documents to describe your project at various review stages. (Maximum of 1,000 characters including spaces)
- 4Economic benefits directly associated with the project (PrairiesCan EOI)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 5Which Regional Development Agency (RDA) Priority does this project best support? (PrairiesCan EOI)selectionno limit
- 6Explain how this project supports the indicated priority (PrairiesCan EOI)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 7Description of types of costs (not activities) (PrairiesCan EOI)tableno limit
- 8Cash flows by fiscal year (PrairiesCan EOI)spreadsheetno limit
- 9Project partnerships (PrairiesCan EOI)written answer · 1,200 characters
- 10EOI attestation (PrairiesCan)checkboxno limit
- 11Required documents with the EOI (PrairiesCan)listno limit
PrairiesCan attestation and supplemental form
- 12Canadian inputs - table and description (PrairiesCan attestation and supplemental form)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 13Non-repayable eligibility acknowledgement (PrairiesCan attestation form)yes/no + writtenno limit
- 14Steel industry declaration (PrairiesCan attestation form)selectionno limit
PrairiesCan full application
- 15Full project description (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 16How indicators will be achieved and tracked (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 3,000 characters
- 17Project rationale and the case for RDA involvement (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 18How your activity, service or product differs (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 19Governance and oversight (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 20Qualifications of the project team (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 21Most significant project risk and mitigation (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 22Describe your competition (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 23Benefits to Francophone communities (PrairiesCan full application)yes/no + written · 1,500 characters
- 24Alignment with other government and industry priorities (PrairiesCan full application)written answer · 1,500 characters
- 25Additional details - incorporated businesses only (PrairiesCan full application)listno limit
FedNor initial application
- 26Organization description (FedNor initial application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 27Organization history (FedNor initial application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 28Eligibility attestation - years in operation (FedNor initial application)selectionno limit
- 29Primary operating industry (FedNor initial application)selectionno limit
- 30Tariff impact attestation (FedNor initial application)checkboxesno limit
- 31Other tariff impact explanation (FedNor initial application)written answer · 750 characters
- 32Project title (FedNor initial application)short answer · 250 characters
- 33Project description and key activities (FedNor initial application)written answer · 2,000 characters
- 34Estimated project start and end dates (FedNor initial application)short answerno limit
- 35Economic benefits (FedNor initial application)written answer · 1,000 characters
- 36Jobs created and jobs maintained (FedNor initial application)tableno limit
- 37Project costs (FedNor initial application)tableno limit
- 38Project funding sources (FedNor initial application)tableno limit
- 39Certification (FedNor initial application)checkboxno limit
- 40Attachments (FedNor initial application)listno limit
PacifiCan supplemental form
- 41Canadian technologies and products (PacifiCan supplemental form)yes/no + written · 3,000 characters
- 42Non-repayable justification (PacifiCan supplemental form)written answer · 3,000 characters
bar = length the funder allows, from its stated limits
Judged against
- 1
Do the tariffs actually hurt this business?
Show them Quantify the tariff hit in dollars and percentages and attach the supplier notice, cancelled order or customs entry that proves it.◦
In the funder’s words · 3
- Degree to which the company and/or sector are impacted by tariffs
- Ability to demonstrate that the project will assist the client in mitigating any negative impact as a result of the U.S./China tariffs or Canada's counter-tariffs
- The extent of the impact on the SME due to the economic context (of turnover derived from direct or indirect exports, proportion of inputs affected by customs duties, extent of the rise in production costs, loss of revenue and loss of profitability).
- 2
What economic benefit does this project create?
What to show, and the funder’s 4 criteria behind it in Premium
- 3
Can this team deliver the plan and budget?
What to show, and the funder’s 3 criteria behind it in Premium
- 4
Is this a priority sector the RDA should back?
What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium
Where applicants fail
“Incomplete EOIs cannot be assessed and may be deemed ineligible.”
“PrairiesCan will not assess incomplete EOIs or saved EOIs that have not been submitted.”
Premium · the rest of this brief
See all 11 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.
9 more rules that can reject you · 9 more criteria · 40 more prompts
Do you pass?
Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.
Your business
Tariff-impacted small or medium business
The RTRI provides $3.45 billion over 4 years to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) impacted by tariffs to help them adapt to changing market conditions, strengthen their competitiveness, diversify into new markets, and build greater trade resilience with more flexibility to address liquidity pressures.
Viable before the tariffs
Viability before the tariffs and before March 21, 2025 is required at ACOA, CED, FedDev Ontario, PacifiCan and PrairiesCan.
2 things this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.
Documents to attach
Ticks are kept on this device.
The money
Non-repayable rateUp to 50%, max $1 million
Non-repayable to a maximum of $1 million reimburses up to 50% of eligible costs
Repayable rateUp to 75%
Repayable reimburses up to 75%
PrairiesCan request$500,000 to $5 million
Minimum funding request of $500,000 and maximum of $5 million per project
FedDev request bandsRepayable $125,000–$10 million; non-repayable $125,000–$1 million
$125,000 to $10 million in repayable funding; or $125,000 to $1 million in non-repayable funding
CED minimum and cap50%/75% max; min $100,000; cap $300,000
Minimum assistance $100,000; market-diversification-only projects capped at $300,000 non-repayable; 50% max rate non-repayable, 75% repayable
Indigenous applicantsUp to 80% commercial, 100% non-commercial
Indigenous applicants: up to 80% of eligible costs on commercial projects, up to 100% on non-commercial
Repayment terms1-year grace, 5-year monthly repayments
After project completion, there is normally a 1-year grace period, followed by equal monthly repayments over 5 years.
Claim reimbursementApproved eligible costs you have paid
reimbursements are based on the approved portion of eligible projects costs that have been paid by you
Tax creditsTreated as government assistance
PrairiesCan considers tax credits received for activities undertaken between the project start and end date as a source of government assistance
Your share10% not-for-profit; 50% for-profit
Under most FedNor programs, the applicant contribution is normally a minimum of 10 percent of project costs for not-for-profit applicants and normally a minimum of 50 percent of project costs for for-profit applicants.
StackingUp to 90% commercial, 100% non-commercial
Government funding (federal, provincial, and municipal) can cover up to: 90% of project costs for businesses or commercial (revenue-generating) projects; 100% of project costs for non-commercial projects
Costs before approval12 months retroactive; earliest March 21, 2025
Costs may be eligible on a retroactive basis up to a 12-month period prior to the receipt of a signed funding request, but no earlier than March 21, 2025.
What it pays for · 1
- Cost of labour (e.g., wages and benefits) and of material used that are incremental and directly related to the project; Capital costs: purchase of machinery, equipment and infrastructure; Consultancy fees (e.g. professional, and technical services); Advisory Expenses (e.g., planning, business information, counselling advisory services; coaching, mentoring or networking events; workshops or conference fees; fees associated with participation in business training through a business service organization); and Costs related to expanding or maintaining markets
What it does not pay for · 3
- basic and applied R&D ( technology readiness levels 1-6 ); land acquisition and goodwill; salary bonuses and dividend payments; entertainment and hospitality expenses; refinancing of existing debts; amortization or depreciation of assets; purchase of any assets for more than their fair market value; lobbying activities; donations, dues, and membership fees
- Generally, the following costs/activities will not be supported: business plan preparation; hospitality and other related costs; sole sourced consultant fees; fees related to advocacy work
- Regular maintenance and/or ongoing operation costs; Regularly scheduled capital expenditures and/or asset replacement; Refinancing of an existing debt; Costs of amortization and goodwill; Acquisition of land and buildings; Entertainment expenses; Lobbying activities; Basic research; The purchase of any assets for more than the fair market value of the said asset; and Costs for which the applicant has entered into a legal commitment/incurred prior to the eligibility date.
From application to money
- Talk to an officerContact officer before applying
- Submit your applicationSubmit to regional agency until December 31, 2027
- EOI triagewithin 30 daysEOI invited within 30 days
- Funding decision90 business daysDecision within 90 business days
- Progress reportsProgress reports at least twice yearly
In the funder’s words · 5
- Talk to an officer
- Please contact a FedNor officer to discuss your project prior to submitting an application
- Submit your application
- Your application goes to the single regional development agency covering where the business is located and operating. (until December 31, 2027 or until all funding is committed)
- EOI triage
- Within 30 days of submission, EOIs with the strongest merit and alignment with program objectives, priority areas, and significant economic benefits will be invited to complete a full application and undergo detailed assessment.
- Funding decision
- Funding decisions are usually made within 90 business days of receiving a complete application.
- Progress reports
- Reporting continues at least twice a year while the project runs and while any repayable amount is outstanding.
Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.
Everything you need to win RTRI
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 9-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
- 5-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 9
Eligible Expenses 10
Ineligible Expenses 9
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
- 5 more application steps
- 7 more required documents
- 10 eligible expenses
- 9 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 RTRI Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Tariff Response Initiative (... | Up to $3,000,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing. Intake varies... |
| BDC Pivot to Grow | Up to $5,000,000 | Moderate | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Between intakes — the... |
| Ontario Together Trade Fund | Up to $5 million | Hard | Milestone-Based | Continuous intake... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about RTRI