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ProvincialLoanOntario

Eastern Ontario Development Fund

Administered by Government of Ontario, Regional Development Program

Loan of up to 15% of eligible costs to $5M, interest-free during the project, for eastern Ontario businesses. Period 24 closes Jan 21, 2027.

Per-organization
Up to $5.0M
Deadline
Jan 21, 2027
Intake window
Decision
Varies
Program share
Up to 15%

About the program

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is a performance-based loan first. Businesses can receive up to 15% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $5 million, interest-free during the project period of up to four years, and up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $500,000) may be forgiven if investment, job and payroll targets are met. After completion, interest runs at Ontario's cost of borrowing plus 3%. Grants are available only in two limited cases: up to $500,000 for small and rural companies with fewer than 100 FTEs, and up to $1.5 million for strategic new investments. Municipalities, economic development and sector organizations can apply under a separate community stream at up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum grant of $1.5 million. Eligible areas: Frontenac, Haliburton, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Muskoka, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott and Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Durham, Toronto, Peel, York and Halton are not on either fund's list.

◆ Funding structure

How much is on the table

The total program pool, per-organization max, and what your contribution has to be.

Total program pool
Not disclosed

This program does not publish an aggregate annual funding pool.

Per organization
Up to $5.0M

Matching contribution required from your organization (at least 85% of eligible costs).

◆ Your fit

Does your organization qualify?

Run your business through the Grant Finder for a live eligibility check against every requirement in this program.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds

Tell us a few things about your business and we'll run a live eligibility check against this program — and surface every other Canadian program you qualify for.

Find your matches →
◆ Application

How to apply

The practical sequence, from a firm that files these claims every week.

  1. 1

    Complete the online self-assessment

    Use the tool on the Ontario program page for the business stream.

  2. 2

    Speak with a regional advisor

    Required before you apply. Contact eodf@ontario.ca. Ontario advises consulting the advisor and registering on TPON two weeks before the deadline.

  3. 3

    Register on Transfer Payment Ontario

    The form is only available through TPON, under Submit for Funding.

  4. 4

    Complete Part 1, then Part 2

    Part 1 is the eligibility checklist. Do not complete Part 2 unless you are eligible.

  5. 5

    Upload the form and supporting documents

    Submit during the intake period. An incomplete application can be deferred to the next intake.

Required documents

What you need ready before you apply.

  • Cash flow for the project period and the four-year loan repayment period
  • Articles of incorporation or letters patent
  • Corporate family tree
  • Three fiscal years of audited or review engagement financial statements
  • Tax Compliance Verification number
  • Letters of support from partners and financial institutions (optional)
◆ Get help preparing

Applicants file this one themselves

Ontario does not consider EODF applications submitted by a third party, and the primary contact must be your employee. GovMoney can help you test the numbers before you apply.

◆ Advisory call

Check the numbers first

Consultant costs for an application are not eligible project costs, and Ontario says using an external firm has no bearing on success.

Book a free call

Program FAQ

Questions we get from applicants every week.

Is the EODF a grant or a loan?+

A loan first. Grants are offered only to small and rural companies (up to $500,000) and for strategic new investments (up to $1.5 million, in very limited circumstances).

What is the Period 24 deadline?+

January 21, 2027. The period opened November 3, 2026, and applicants are notified by April 20, 2027.

Can I combine it with other Ontario funding?+

No stacking with other provincial sources for the project, except tax credits, company-wide programs and the program's complementary services. Funding from federal, provincial and municipal sources together cannot exceed 50%.

◆ Next steps

Your path forward

Three concrete moves. Do them yourself or hand off to GovMoney.

1

Determine your project

Scope the specific R&D activity, purchase, hire, or export initiative that maps to this program's eligibility. Ambiguous project scope is the #1 rejection driver.

2

Validate your eligibility

Run your business through the Grant Finder to confirm fit against this program's requirements — and see every other program you qualify for.

3

File the application

Two paths: prepare and file it yourself using the how-to-apply steps above, or hand it off to GovMoney's team and get it done audit-ready.

Book a 15-min call with GovMoney →
◆ Get moving

Track EODF deadlines automatically.

Add this program to your watchlist and get personalized deadline alerts, plus every other Canadian program that matches your business.