Ontario businesses are under pressure to adopt new technologies, but upskilling staff can be expensive. The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI/CIT) Future Ready Grant helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) cover the cost of training their teams in advanced technologies. The program provides up to $10,000 per company on a 1:1 matching basis, meaning your business must contribute an equal amount. This funding supports third-party training that equips your workforce for growth.
The CIT — Future Ready program is a non-repayable training grant managed by the Ontario Centre of Innovation. It is designed to help Ontario SMEs adopt and use critical technologies by funding specialized, external training.
Key details:
The training must directly support the adoption or use of advanced technologies that strengthen your business, rather than general professional development.
To qualify for the Ontario Centre of Innovation Future Ready Grant, your business must meet all core eligibility requirements.
Your business must:
Startups are eligible if they meet the SME and Ontario operating requirements, even if they are early-stage.
Training must focus on at least one of OCI’s named Critical Technologies, which include:
Training projects must clearly relate to one of these technologies to be considered.
The Future Ready Grant is focused on specific training-related costs.
Eligible expenses include:
Not typically eligible:
If you’re unsure whether a training cost qualifies, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry before you apply.
While application steps may vary slightly by intake, the process generally follows a clear path.
Confirm eligibility
Ensure your business, training plan, and technology focus meet OCI requirements.
Define your training project
Clearly explain:
Secure a third-party training provider
OCI expects training to be delivered by an external expert, not internal staff.
Prepare your budget
Show the 1:1 matching funds (for example, $10,000 grant + $10,000 company contribution).
Submit your application through OCI
Applications are assessed based on alignment with program goals and readiness to proceed.
Strong applications are specific, practical, and clearly tied to near-term business outcomes.
Choosing training that is too general
OCI does not fund broad skills training. The link to a critical technology must be explicit.
Forgetting the matching requirement
You must show you can fund your half. Applications without clear matching funds are often rejected.
Using internal trainers
Training must be delivered by external third-party experts, not your own staff.
Applying without a clear business use case
OCI looks for training that supports real adoption, not exploration or research alone.
Q: Is the CIT Future Ready grant repayable?
No. The funding is a non-repayable grant, as long as you meet program terms and complete the approved training.
Q: How does the 1:1 matching requirement work?
If you receive $10,000 from OCI, your business must contribute another $10,000 toward the same training costs, using your own funds.
Q: Can startups apply for the Ontario Centre of Innovation Future Ready Grant?
Yes. Startups can apply if they are Ontario-based SMEs with fewer than 500 employees and meet all program requirements.
Q: What types of training providers are eligible?
OCI expects external, third-party experts with demonstrated experience in the relevant critical technology.
Q: Can I combine this grant with other funding?
Stacking may be possible, but you must ensure there is no double-funding of the same expense. See also: How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules.
The Ontario Centre of Innovation Future Ready Grant offers a practical way to reduce the cost of technical training and prepare your team for growth. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada and helps you check which ones match your business profile, so you can focus your time on the opportunities you’re most likely to qualify for.
If Future Ready isn’t the right fit, consider these additional options:
These programs can complement training-focused grants like CIT Future Ready. GrantHub can help you review and compare a range of programs to support your business goals.
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