Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program (PIVP)

The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is a Nova Scotia government voucher that helps small and medium-sized businesses access applied innovation services from post-secondary institutions and research organizations. Administered by Invest Nova Scotia, PIVP pays the post-secondary partner directly, reducing both cash outlay and risk for the applicant business. It is the Nova Scotia PIVP; PEI runs separate innovation voucher programs.

What it covers

PIVP funds applied innovation projects that deliver measurable business outcomes. Eligible activities typically include process improvement and operational efficiency analysis, technology assessment and feasibility studies, prototype development and testing, digital tool evaluation and implementation planning, data analysis and AI/ML model development, software and systems development in partnership with an institution, and productivity assessments. Projects must have a defined scope, timeline, and measurable outcomes linked to business performance.

Funding details

Two tiers. Tier 1 covers up to $15,000 for exploratory or scoped applied innovation projects. Tier 2 covers up to $25,000 for larger, follow-on work. A company is eligible for a maximum of two Tier 1 vouchers over the life of the program, with each Tier 1 project able to lead to a Tier 2 voucher for deeper engagement. Vouchers are paid directly to the post-secondary institution, not to the business.

How to apply

PIVP runs annual competitive intake with a tight window. The 2025-26 cycle opened May 7, 2025 and closed June 4, 2025, with projects completing by March 16, 2026. That window has now passed. For the 2026-27 cycle, watch Invest Nova Scotia for the opening date (historically late spring). Use the months before the window opens to identify a project need and a willing post-secondary partner, then develop the project plan with defined scope, deliverables, and measurable outcomes so the application is ready when intake opens. Eligible partners include Dalhousie, NSCC, Acadia, Cape Breton University, Saint Mary's, and NSCAD. If approved, the voucher issues to the post-secondary partner; the project delivers and claims by the spring completion deadline.

Priority sectors

Where the program tends to focus its funding.

How it stacks with other programs

PIVP pairs well with ACOA REGI: PIVP funds an early-stage assessment or prototype with a post-secondary partner, REGI funds the larger build-out that follows. PIVP does not disqualify a project from REGI. The two are designed for different stages of the same engagement.

Stages of work this program tends to fund

Mapped against Aurenia's nine-stage methodology. Useful when scoping the application.

• S1Diagnostic Mirror

  An honest written diagnostic of where your organization actually stands. Your specific situation, not a generic maturity model.

• S2Customer Discovery

  Decisions grounded in what your customers actually say, not what you assume. Synthesized from interviews, surveys, and support data.

• S6Architecture & Vendor Selection

  An honest build-vs-buy analysis and vendor short-list, picked for fit. We don't take vendor commissions, so the recommendation is yours.

Common questions