3 Easy Grants to Apply for in 2026 (Even if You're New to the Process)

Grants can be a game changer for your business, nonprofit, or community organization. The challenge? The application process can feel confusing, especially when you’re just getting started.

We’ve rounded up three grants with straightforward applications and flexible eligibility requirements so you can secure funding and get back to what matters most: growing your impact.

Discover More: New to grants? Start with our Grants 101 Guide to learn the basics.

Table of Contents

Grant #1 — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a federal program that helps Canadian employers create paid work placements for post-secondary students. It’s administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and delivered through sector-specific industry partners.

SWPP (we pronounce it “swipp”) is great because you can access students from many different disciplines to help across your business: marketing, sales, product development, technical development, finance, you name it.

2026 Update You Need to Know

As of April 1, 2026, ESDC simplified SWPP’s wage subsidy structure. The previous bonus tier of $7,000 for first-year students or students from under-represented groups has been retired. All placements now use a single flat rate of 50% of gross wages, capped at $5,000 per placement.

How to Apply

SWPP is delivered through Employer Delivery Partners. You apply through the partner that fits your hire’s field of study:

Pro Tips

  • Have your candidate lined up before applying. You’ll need their student info for the application.
  • Make sure the placement is recognized as work-integrated learning (WIL) by the student’s post-secondary institution.
  • Federal funding cannot be stacked with other federal sources (e.g., Canada Summer Jobs), but provincial and tax credits often can be.

Utilize Pocketed’s platform or hire a grant writer to streamline your SWPP application.

Grant #2 - CDAP

With CDAP officially closed in 2024, Canada Summer Jobs has become the go-to federal hiring grant for first-time applicants. It’s a wage subsidy that helps employers hire youth aged 15 to 30 for summer work, and the application form is one of the shortest in the federal grant ecosystem.

Pro Tips

  • Apply during the December–January intake window. Late applications are not accepted.
  • Strong applications tie the job to community benefit and skills development for the youth, not just employer needs.
  • Nonprofits get the highest reimbursement rate. If you’re a registered charity, lean in.

Utilize Pocketed’s platform or hire a grant writer to streamline your Canada Summer Jobs application.

Grant #3 – Starter Company Plus

Starter Company Plus is a business development program in Ontario that provides funding and support to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start, expand, or buy a small business. It’s administered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade and delivered through your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.

2026 Update You Need to Know

The contribution requirement increased from 20% to 25% in cash or in-kind. Intake windows are set regionally by each Small Business Enterprise Centre, so check your local centre for current deadlines.

Pro Tips

  • The program is flexible on what funds can be used for, which is rare in the grant world. Take advantage.
  • You’ll need to complete training and mentorship hours before disbursement, so factor that into your timeline.
  • Funds are paid to the entrepreneur personally and reported on a T4A. Plan for the tax implications.

Utilize Pocketed’s platform or hire a grant writer to streamline your Starter Company Plus application.

What Happened to CDAP (and What to Do Instead)

If you’re searching for the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), here’s the honest update: it’s gone.

  • Boost Your Business Technology ($15K grant + $100K BDC loan): closed February 19, 2024
  • Grow Your Business Online ($2,400 micro-grant): closed September 30, 2024
  • Program officially ended: March 26, 2024

There is no direct federal replacement. If you were counting on CDAP for digital adoption, the current alternatives are:

Need help mapping your post-CDAP funding stack? Pocketed’s platform surfaces all eligible alternatives in minutes.

Pro Tips for First-Time Grant Applicants

1. Read the eligibility criteria twice. Most rejected applications fail at eligibility, not quality. Save yourself the writing time and confirm you qualify before you start.

2. Line up your supporting documents early. Articles of incorporation, financials, proof of revenue, and student or employee details slow down most applications. Have them ready in a single folder.

3. Match the grant’s language. Funders fund what they describe. If the program targets “innovation,” “workforce development,” or “digital transformation,” use those exact words in your application.

4. Track every deadline. Most easy grants are first-come, first-served. A calendar reminder set two weeks before deadline is worth thousands of dollars.

5. Get help when it matters. There’s no medal for going it alone. If a grant is worth more than a few thousand dollars, a professional grant writer typically pays for itself.

Time to Get Some Grants

Applying for grants can feel intimidating when you’re new, but with the right list and a little preparation, you can secure meaningful funding for your business or organization.

Pocketed can make searching for grants like these, and thousands of others, a total breeze. Our intelligent matching platform finds every program you’re eligible for, and our expert grant writers can hit submit with you when you’re ready.

Good luck with your grant application journey. We’re rooting for you.

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