Women Entrepreneurship Strategy - Ecosystem Fund
Run by ISED
The short answer · Checked today
Non-repayable funding for not-for-profits (incorporated, operating at least three years) that run business support services for women entrepreneurs. Projects of $250,000 to $6 million, from a total of up to $80 million. Proposals are due November 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST; late ones aren't considered.
Closes
Nov 9, 2026
5 days left
Apply on ised-isde.canada.ca(Opens the funder’s site) Add the dates to my calendarKey facts
| Who can apply | Non-profits and charities, Women entrepreneurs |
|---|---|
| Pays for | Community projects, Starting a business |
| Where | Canada |
| How much | Project budgets of $250,000 to $6,000,000; up to $80 million in total over four years. |
| Type | Grant |
| Intake | Until Nov 9, 2026 · Proposals due 11:59 pm PST. |
Who qualifies, in the funder’s words
Each rule is copied word for word from the funder’s page, and re-checked. If the funder changes it, we take it down until it’s checked again.
How much
Up to $80 million in non-repayable funding is available in total.
“Up to $80 million in non-repayable contribution funding will be made available to successful applicants” Source: ised-isde.canada.ca · Checked today
Dates
Late submissions are not considered.
“Late submissions will not be considered.” Source: ised-isde.canada.ca · Checked today
Who qualifies
Projects must be led by an incorporated Canadian not-for-profit, operating for at least three years.
“Projects must be led by a Canadian incorporated (federally or provincially) not-for-profit organization” Projects must offer business support services to women entrepreneurs or majority women-owned businesses.
“Eligible projects will offer business support services to women entrepreneurs and/or majority women-owned businesses.” Source: ised-isde.canada.ca · Checked today
How to apply
Download the application form and project budget form from the program page and follow section 7 of the application guide. Questions: wes-sfe@ised-isde.gc.ca.
Other programs for the same need, open now
Up to $250,000
Non-repayable equity contributions for Indigenous small and medium-sized businesses: up to $99,999 for individual entrepreneurs and up to $250,000 for community-owned businesses, through Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations. There is no deadline.
Canadian Heritage funding for renovating arts and heritage spaces and buying specialized equipment, for not-for-profit arts and heritage organizations active for over two years, provincial and municipal governments and Indigenous governing bodies. New construction and planning studies are no longer accepted. Applications are taken on an ongoing basis for expenses between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2028, while funds last.
Guides and answers
Sources and checks
Facts on this page come from the funder’s own page, and a CanGrant editor hasn’t reviewed them yet. Check the funder’s page before you apply. ised-isde.canada.ca · Report a mistake