RTRI through FedDev Ontario: Tariff Funding for Southern Ontario
Tariffs can hit a business twice: first as a squeeze on cash, then as a lasting threat to its competitiveness. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a national program, delivered in southern Ontario by FedDev Ontario, that helps tariff-impacted businesses with liquidity pressures and competitiveness.
It is part of $3.45 billion in Regional Development Agency funding. It offers non-repayable liquidity assistance up to $2 million plus pivot project funding, and businesses can combine support up to $3 million non-repayable or $20 million total including repayable funding. Intake is open, with no fixed application deadline.
What is RTRI through FedDev Ontario?
RTRI through FedDev Ontario is the southern Ontario delivery of the national RTRI program. It is a federal program for tariff-impacted businesses, and part of $3.45 billion in Regional Development Agency funding.
It has two streams. Liquidity assistance is non-repayable funding of up to $2 million, covering 50% of costs over 12 months. Pivot project funding is up to $1 million non-repayable, or repayable amounts over $1 million (up to 75% of costs) for larger transformative projects.
The program requires a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue. Not-for-profits supporting businesses are also eligible, though not for liquidity support.
RTRI through FedDev Ontario at a glance
| Detail | Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedDev Ontario |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $125K – $3M |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Ontario (ON) |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | Intake open with two streams — liquidity assistance (funding period up to 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028) and Pivot Projects (must be completed by March 31, 2029). No fixed application deadline. |
| What it funds | Productivity / Automation / Equipment, AI Adoption / Integration, Commercialization / Market Launch, Training & Upskilling |
| Industries | All sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Software & IT, Food & Beverages |
| Company stage | Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Milestone |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | Moderate |
How much funding is available?
The two streams can be combined. The combined non-repayable maximum is $3 million, and the total funding maximum is $20 million including repayable support.
Funding is paid by milestone. Each stream covers only part of your costs, so your company shares the cost.
- Liquidity assistance: up to $2 million non-repayable, up to 50% of eligible costs, for a maximum of 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028.
- Pivot Projects, non-repayable: up to $1 million (up to 50% of project costs) for projects with local or regional benefit.
- Pivot Projects, repayable: repayable funding over $1 million (up to 75% of project costs) for larger transformative projects.
- Combined limits: a non-repayable maximum of $3 million, and a total funding maximum of $20 million including repayable support.
Who is eligible?
The business
- Your company must be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in southern Ontario.
- You need a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the last two fiscal years.
- Your business must have been viable prior to tariffs. Businesses established after March 21, 2025 are considered case by case.
Tariff impact
- You must demonstrate tariff impact via Section 232 or Section 338 exposure, supply chain exposure, 25%+ of revenue from goods exported to the U.S., or cost increases or revenue loss from tariffs.
- Governments, and businesses unable to demonstrate direct or indirect tariff exposure, are ineligible.
Projects and not-for-profits
- Liquidity assistance runs for a maximum of 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028.
- Pivot Projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
- Not-for-profit organizations in southern Ontario whose primary focus is supporting businesses are eligible for projects, but not for liquidity support.
When and how to apply
RTRI through FedDev Ontario is open. Intake is open with two streams, and there is no fixed application deadline.
The dates that matter are the end dates. Liquidity assistance has a funding period of up to 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028. Pivot Projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
The status of Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedDev Ontario in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is RTRI through FedDev Ontario right for you?
RTRI through FedDev Ontario suits growth, expansion and established-stage for-profit businesses in southern Ontario with a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue that can demonstrate tariff impact. Liquidity assistance addresses liquidity pressures, and Pivot Projects address competitiveness. Watch the cost-share: the program covers up to 50% of costs for non-repayable support and up to 75% for repayable projects, and pivot funding over $1 million is repayable. Competition is moderate.
Next steps: look up Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedDev Ontario in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 13, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.