If your Ontario business has been hit by U.S. tariffs, supply chain disruption, or export barriers, the Ontario Together Trade Fund could cover a meaningful share of your recovery or expansion costs. Launched in April 2025, this provincial program offers up to $5 million per project to help eligible companies retool, diversify markets, or reshore key activities.
The fund is open on a continuous intake basis while funding remains available, making timing and readiness critical for applicants.
The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) is designed for established Ontario businesses that can show real, measurable impacts from trade or tariff changes — and a clear plan to respond.
In some cases, Ontario may offer repayable loans instead of grants, depending on risk and project profile.
To be eligible, your business must:
OTTF supports projects that strengthen Ontario’s trade resilience, including:
Operating costs and routine maintenance are generally not eligible.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter Ontario trade and manufacturing programs by project size, sector, and timeline in seconds.
Trade uncertainty remains a top concern for Ontario manufacturers, processors, and exporters. The Ontario Together Trade Fund sits alongside broader provincial priorities to:
Unlike smaller export grants, OTTF is built for large, capital‑intensive projects with province‑wide economic impact.
Under‑documenting trade impact
Applications are rejected when tariff or trade disruption is implied but not proven. Use financials, contracts, or supplier data to show the impact clearly.
Project costs below $200,000
Smaller projects do not meet the minimum threshold, even if the business itself is eligible.
Assuming 75% funding is standard
Most approved projects receive 10–20% support. Higher cost‑shares are rare and must show exceptional Ontario‑wide benefit.
Weak timelines
Projects must be realistically completed within 24 months. Overly ambitious schedules raise red flags.
Q: Is the Ontario Together Trade Fund still open in 2026?
Yes. The program opened on April 23, 2025 and is listed as continuous intake while funding remains available.
Q: Can small businesses apply?
Only if they meet the minimum requirements, including 3 years of operations, 5+ FTEs, and a $200,000+ project. Many very small businesses do not qualify.
Q: Does my business need to export to the U.S.?
Not necessarily. You must show trade or tariff impact, which can include supply chain disruption or market loss, even if you do not export directly.
Q: Are service businesses eligible?
Most approved projects are in manufacturing, processing, or trade‑exposed sectors. Service firms must clearly link their project to trade impacts to be considered.
Q: Can this be combined with other Ontario grants?
In some cases, yes — but stacking rules apply. Total government support cannot exceed allowable limits and must be disclosed.
GrantHub tracks 2,500+ active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.
If you’re exploring broader support options, you may also find these helpful:
The Ontario Together Trade Fund is best suited for established Ontario businesses planning major investments tied to trade resilience. If your project meets the scale and impact requirements, early preparation is key due to the program’s competitive nature. GrantHub helps you compare OTTF with other Ontario and federal programs, so you can focus on the options that truly fit your business.
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