Funding Programs

Seafood Expansion and Market Access Program

In response to the immediate and emerging needs of the seafood sector due to global market uncertainty, Perennia is launching a new short-term emergency funding program. This program helps Nova Scotia-based fish and seafood companies with increasing their long-term business productivity and market competitiveness.


Local Supplier Food Safety Support Program

The Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program will help Nova Scotia food and beverage producers successfully achieve and maintain food safety requirements for retailers, food service companies and institutions, or to adjust their food safety program to meet emerging food safety requirements or new markets.


Small-Scale Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Program

The Small-Scale Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Program supports businesses in the purchase of food-grade and certified small-scale equipment that elevates their current processes, allowing them to access new retail avenues, meet regulatory requirements, increase production and/or reduce costs.


Nova Scotia Seafood Innovation and Technology Adoption Program (NS-ITAP)

Perennia is providing non-repayable financial assistance to Nova Scotia commercial entities in the fishing, aquaculture, marine plant harvesting and seafood buying/ processing sector to increase productivity, competitiveness, quality and sustainability in the fish and seafood sector under NS-ITAP. Depending on the nature and scope of the project, funding may also be awarded to Nova Scotia-based industry groups or associations.

The NS-ITAP supports ‘innovation’ and ‘infrastructure’ related projects and aims to increase the value and volume of Nova Scotia fish and seafood products that are marketed as high quality, value-added and sustainably sourced.


Food Ventures Program

2025-26 program opening soon.


Seafood Accelerator Program

This program provides advice, resources and funding to help Nova Scotia-based seafood businesses move to the next level. The two main program components are Market Access – Quality and Food Safety and Product Development. This program is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.


On-Farm Climate Action Fund Program

The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers improve soil health, protect soil from erosion, and tackle climate change by adopting beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. The program offers funding to help farmers implement nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices. In addition, the OFCAF program supports professional training for farmers, agronomists, and certified crop advisers.


Nova Scotia Beef Abattoir and Processing Assistance Program

The objective of the Beef Abattoir and Processing Assistance program is to support increased capacity of Nova Scotia provincially licensed abattoirs and processors that serve the beef industry in the province. The program can provide up to 60 percent funding for eligible project costs; up to $15000 for abattoirs and $5000 for meat processors working with beef.


NRC-IRAP Contribution Agreement

Perennia has a partnership with the National Research Council (NRC) under its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Contribution to Organization program. The program provides funding to successful applicants to have Perennia’s team answer a business or technical question. The ultimate goal is enabling clients to present market-ready products that are revenue generators for the consumer market. In doing so, the Perennia team helps identify and mitigate technical risk factors related to product and process development that can impact the overall product quality and safety, and addresses product reformulations and process issues such as establishing process controls, adapting new process technologies and developing new processes.

For more information, please contact:
(902) 896-8782
innovation@perennia.ca


Farm Weather Station Assistance Program

This program is now closed. If you need assistance for a weather station purchased under this program, please contact us at weatherstations@perennia.ca