The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses become more productive and innovative while building stronger linkages between businesses and Nova Scotia universities and colleges.

The productivity and innovation voucher is a credit note. Vouchers are valid until March 31, 2017.

• Tier 1: Vouchers of up to $15,000 for eligible businesses that have not previously been awarded a voucher, or are applying with a new project.
• Tier 2: Vouchers of up to $25,000 for eligible businesses to build on work done through a previously awarded Tier 1 voucher.

Eligibility

• Past Tier 1 voucher recipients are eligible to apply for a second Tier 1 voucher. The second Tier 1 voucher application must be for a different project than the previously awarded Tier 1 voucher.
• The applicant is a registered Nova Scotia business. Businesses operating in Nova Scotia must register with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies (RJSC). Details are available from Service Nova Scotia. Successful applicants will be issued vouchers using the same name as the one used in their RJSC registration.
• The majority of the company’s workforce currently resides in Nova Scotia.
• The company has fewer than 100 employees at the time of application.
• A company may have only one active voucher at a time.
• The vouchers are non-transferable or assignable, and shall be void if reproduced, transferred or assigned.
• Vouchers can only be used to obtain services from eligible service providers. Companies are asked to select a provider and service that best fits their needs. Applicants must discuss their project with an eligible service provider and lead researcher prior to submitting an application.
• Prior to work being undertaken and by November 1, 2017, the service provider will submit for Innovacorp’s approval a project contract that provides preliminary details on the type of service and service costs associated with each voucher project.