Alberta & Federal External Grants & Programs

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) offers funding that may cover up to 100% of eligible expenses to support producers in their ability to implement and maintain projects over a three-year term.

RALP Fact Sheet

https://www.alberta.ca/resilient-agricultural-landscape-program

Contact:

For general program inquiries or questions on existing applications connect with the RALP team:

Email: ralp@gov.ab.ca

For one-on-one application support:

Phone: 1-866-310-RALP (7257)
Email: info@ralp.ca

The Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) allows seniors to use their home equity to remain in their homes and maintain their independence. Eligible seniors can apply for a low-interest home equity loan with the Government of Alberta to cover repairs, adaptations and renovations to their primary residence.

The intent is to help seniors:

• remain independent in their homes
• be safe in their homes
• adapt and modify their homes to improve accessibility and mobility
• improve the energy efficiency of their homes

Some project examples are:

• bathroom or walk-in tubs
• furnace and hot water tank upgrades
• stair lifts
• widening of doorways
• roof and window replacement

You must provide a written cost-estimate or receipts for all project funds being applied for.

Seniors may apply for retroactive funding. Receipts must be provided for home repairs, adaptations or renovations completed and paid for within 12 months before the date that SHARP staff receives your application package.

A printable factsheet is available with information on eligibility, how to apply, repayments and other suggested resources.

Contact

https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-home-adaptation-repair-program

Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:

Hours: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992

Address:
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)
PO Box 1050 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

The Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible senior homeowners to voluntarily defer all or part of their residential property taxes, including the education tax portion. This is done through a low-interest home equity loan with the Government of Alberta.

If you qualify, Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program will pay your residential property taxes directly to your municipality on your behalf.

A Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program factsheet is available with information on eligibility and how to apply.

Contact

https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-property-tax-deferral-program

Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:

Hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992

Address:
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program
PO Box 1200 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M4

CFEP Small provides up to $125,000 in financial assistance to upgrade, expand, purchase or build arts, cultural, heritage, recreational, sport or other related public-use community facilities.

CFEP has 2 funding streams:

1. CFEP Small – Financial assistance up to $125,000
2. CFEP Large – Financial assistance over $125,000 and up to $1 million

Contact

https://www.alberta.ca/community-facility-enhancement-program-small

Connect with the Community Grants office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9598
Toll free: 1-800-642-3855
Email: communitygrants@gov.ab.ca

Canada Greener Homes Initiative: Highlights and Program Updates

The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable.

The loan can help you finance eligible retrofits that are recommended by an energy advisor and that have not yet been started.

IMPORTANT: You should not start any retrofit work before your loan application has been submitted. Any retrofits started before submitting your loan application are ineligible.

Contact Us

https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-initiative/canada-greener-homes-loan/24286#details

Business hours
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

Grant inquiries

• Phone: 1-833-674-8282
• TTY: 1-800-465-7735
• Email: canadagreenerhomesgrant-subventionmaisonsvertes@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Loan inquiries

• Phone: 1-866-292-9517
• Email: Questions@cghli.ca

Student Aid is a government service that provides student loans, grants, scholarships and awards to help you pay for your post-secondary education. Student aid may not cover all of your costs, so you’ll need to plan to make up the difference.

You only have to submit one application to be considered for loans and grants from both Alberta’s government and Canada’s government. Most students get money from both, which means you may get two smaller loans instead of one big one. 

You should:

• Apply early. The only way to know for sure how much money you’ll get is to apply and wait for your award letter. You should apply at least 60 days before your classes start so that you have time to figure out your finances.
  
  
• Apply every year. You can apply for student aid for up to 12 months at a time. If your period of study is longer, you need to submit another application.

Contact

Alberta Student Aid Service Centre

https://studentaid.alberta.ca/

The Service Centre can answer your questions about Alberta Student Aid programs. When you call, you will be asked to choose an option to direct your inquiry. To ensure your call is handled correctly, review the topics covered by each option. 

1-855-606-2096

The following list of resources is not exhaustive and is updated on an ongoing basis. Note that funding opportunities may have application windows.

Click here for a list of Grants and Funding Programs

Did you know?

• Across Alberta, there are 18 Workforce Consultants (WFC) regionally-based to support employers with tools and resources to help recruit, retain and strengthen their workforce.
• BizPal is a tool that helps small businesses find permits and licenses required when starting or managing a business.
• Alberta has the most businesses in Canada, and nearly 98% of them are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees (2023 Key Small Business Statistics).

Helping Small Businesses Thrive

The Small Business Supports Team with Jobs, Economy and Trade connects Alberta’s entrepreneurs and small businesses with essential resources and services for success. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, we’re your partner in business growth!

Our key focus areas:

• Biz Connect:Your online tool for personalized referrals to funding opportunities, mentorship, and expert advice.
• Relevant Business Supports:There are over 300 service providers, government agencies, and industry partners that create a responsive and informed support network, and we help you find relevant supports, quickly.
• Partner Support:We fund organizations like Business Link and Futurpreneur to deliver front-line assistance for your business needs.

Biz Connect

On the Small business resources site, you can find resources to help your business start, grow, and succeed. Connect directly with a Biz Connect team member through the website for tailored resources for your business.

Here are some of the most common inquiries Biz Connect gets about small business, and examples of some of the resources we offer:

How to find funding

Biz Connect connects Alberta entrepreneurs and small business owners to available grant and loan programs, as well as expert advice. Explore resources like:

• Business Link: Free advice, coaching, and guidance on financial supports.
• Alberta Innovates: Grants and support for innovative start-ups.
• Futurpreneur: Loans up to $75,000 for entrepreneurs aged 18–39.
• Community Futures: Specialized rural business support and loans.
• Women-Owned Business Programs: Loans and capacity-building through Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Women’s Enterprise Oganizations of Canada (WEOC).

How to register a business

Biz Connect makes learning how to register your business in Alberta simple. Explore resources like:

• Choose Your Structure: Business Link offers free, one-on-one support for entrepreneurs.
• Register Your Business: Learn how to register, choose a name, and get your Common Business Number.
• Permits & Licenses: Use BizPaL to discover the permits and licenses you need.

How to start a daycare

Looking to grow or enhance your licensed child care program in Alberta? Biz Connect can help direct you to resources like:

• Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program: Supports include wage top-ups, professional development funding, and employer contribution funding. 
• Financial Institutions: Explore options like ATB Financial, BDC, or the Canada Small Business Financing Program.

Managing your business

Biz Connect can also help you find information to manage your small business, including resources like:

• Workforce development resources, such as employment standards to understand the rules and regulations, and information to assist with hiring and managing employees.
• Protecting your business and ensuring your business is in good standing.
• Succession planning.

Growing and expanding your business

Biz Connect can help direct you to tools and resources for expanding and developing your business, including:

• The Alberta Export Expansion Program to help export-ready companies and non-profit organizations access international markets and attract global buyers.
• The Government of Canada’s Business Benefits Finder tool offers support for research and development. 

Get in Touch with Biz Connect

For specific inquiries, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the Small Business Resources page or email us at bizconnect@gov.ab.ca.

Together, we’re building a stronger Alberta - one small business at a time!

Regional Events & OpportunitiesIn-person

• Job Expo 2025 – Slave Lake, AB
  • Thursday, February 13, 2025, 11am -5pm
  • Northern Lakes College Gymnasium, Slave Lake
  • To register, click here. 
• Business on the Lake: Lesser Slave Lake Region Leadership and Business Conference
  • Saturday, February 8, 2025, 9am – 4pm
  • Northern Lakes College Gymnasium, Slave Lake
  • For more information and to register, click here.
• Northwestern Polytechnic On-Campus Career Fairs – Opportunity to hire seasonal summer students, full and part-time graduates, alumni, and skilled tradespersons/apprentices.
  • March 5, 2025 – Grande Prairie NWP campus, 12-5pm
  • March 12, 2025 – Fairview NWP campus, 12-5pm
  • Visit me/CareerEventsfor more information

Virtual

• Enhance Your Ability to Recruit and Retain Persons with Disabilities! Join AWES for aninformation session to learn more about their free online training for employers:
  • Thursday January 23^, 2025, 11 – 12pm
  • For more information or to register click here.
• Introduction to Disability Management and Occupational Health & Safety: join Alberta OHS and WCB-Alberta for a free webinar on effective disability management practices, such as return-to-work plans, reducing time away from work, reducing premium costs, developing and implementing OHS management systems, the OHS Resource Portal, and more.
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 9 - 10:30am
  • To register, click here. 
• The Workforce Consultant team is hosting a free webinar from the Small Business Supports team from Jobs, Economy and Trade. The Small Business Supports Team connects Alberta’s entrepreneurs with essential resources and services for success. Key focus areas will be Biz Connect, Outreach, and Partner Support. 
  • Thursday, January 30, 2025, 10 - 11:30am
  • To register, click here. 
• Jointhe Workforce Consultant Team as we host a free webinar about the Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus Program, a one-time refundable tax credit of $5,000 for eligible individuals who move to Alberta and work in key trade and construction related occupations. 
  • Have you hired an employee who has moved or is moving to Alberta between May 1st to December 31st, 2024, that is working in an eligible occupation? If you missed the previous presentations, register now for the next chance to hear about the Moving Bonus Program and ask questions. Get information on eligibility, when and how applicants can apply, required documentation, and more. For more information on this program, please visit: Alberta is Calling: moving Bonus.
  • Wednesday February 19, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
  • To register clickhere.
• Employment Standards offers webinars on a variety of topics related to employer and employee rights and responsibilities. For further information, please visit: Employment Standards webinars.

Other

• The Northern Alberta Development Bursary program provides financial assistance to students while attending post secondary school. The Northern Alberta Development Bursary Partnership Program encourages employers or organizations to invest in northern Alberta by sponsoring post-secondary students with a return service agreement. 
  • Please visit Northern Alberta Development Bursary Program for more information.
  • To book an information session, please call 780 624-6545 or email BursariesNAD@gov.ab.ca.

Articles of Interest

HR Trends Survey December 11, 2024 (CPHR Alberta)

Finding and Hiring Employees (BusinessLink)

How Employers Are Using AI to Make Hiring Decisions (ALIS)

How to Hire the Right People for Your Business (BDC)

Please, feel free to reach out if you have questions or an upcoming event that you would like highlighted in the next newsletter.

Deanna Basarab

Workforce Consultant

Labour and Workforce Strategies

Jobs, Economy and Trade

Government of Alberta

High Prairie Provincial Building

2^nd floor, 5226-53rd Ave

PO Box 849

High Prairie, AB  T0G 1E0

Cell  780 536-4617

deanna.basarab@gov.ab.ca

Funding Resources:

Click here for the Funding Resources Information Page

• CanExport SME’s program is now accepting applications
• Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus Program, a one-time refundable tax credit of $5,000 for eligible individuals who move to Alberta and work in key trade and construction related occupations.
   
• Affordable Housing Innovation fund open
• Funding for innovative housing providers driving innovation across the housing continuum.

• SVG THRIVE applications close May 25th, application detail
• The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge is a worldwide search for trailblazing startups with solutions that will revolutionize agriculture. If your solution addresses one of these six focus areas, they want to hear from you!
• Regenerative Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence & Automation, Animal Health & Nutrition, Clean Energy & Climate Tech, Water & Waste Management and Post-Harvest & Foodtech.

• Alberta Food Matters - Grants and resources to fund food related projects
• FCC AgriSpirit Fund

• Alberta’s Ethnocultural Grant Program anticipated to open in fall 2025
• This program has two streams to support community-led initiatives to foster welcoming multicultural communities across Alberta.
• Stream 1 provides up to $50,000 for projects that create opportunities for intercultural connections with ethnocultural and Indigenous groups.
• Stream 2 provides up to $15,000 to projects that create opportunities to celebrate diversity.

• Professional Arts Festivals and Performing Arts Series Presenters – Canada Arts Presentation Fund next deadline Oct 15, 2025.

• Climate Resilience Capacity Building Program’s new Collaborative Learning Stream (CLS) Submissions accepted until April 18, 2025.
• made possible by the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation program, this initiative will enable communities and organizations to strengthen local climate resilience through participating in training and collaborative working groups.
   
• Emergency preparedness for small businesses Apr 29, 2025 (10:00 am -11:00 am)
  o   presented by Canadian Red Cross, Recovery Services. Hosted by JET Workforce Consultants***. Programming and available resources specifically developed for small business and not-for-profit to assist with preparing for an emergency, before it happens.