The Study Grants Program is an incentive offered through the Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
A study grant is offered to offset the cost of studies required by the City to support an employment use on an eligible property.
The studies may include, but not necessarily be limited to: traffic impact studies; environmental impact studies; site servicing studies; archaeological surveys; and/or feasibility/analysis studies.
How the Grant Works
The grant is a 50/50 matching grant program where the City will provide a grant to an applicant for up to 50% of the cost of an eligible study (excluding HST), up to a maximum of $30,000 per study and $100,000 per project. The fee paid for study grants is rebated upon completion of an eligible development.
The applicant pays all study fees and following successful occupancy clearance, the applicant can submit study invoices to be considered for reimbursement to the applicant. Studies must be required as part of the development or building permit process to be eligible for reimbursement.
Grant Agreement
If awarded a grant, an agreement between the owner (registered or assessed owners of lands/buildings) and the City may be required, which will set out the terms, duration, and default provisions of the grant provided. This may be registered on title of the subject lands at the discretion of the City.
Eligibility Requirements and Details
Please review the Employment Development CIP for full eligibility details before completing an application. Section 3.3.5 outlines the requirements for the Study Grants Program. Key criteria are summarized below:
- Projects must be located within the City of Barrie municipal boundary as it existed on the date of passing By-law Number 2026-018 to be eligible for financial incentives.
- Project sites shall not be located on lands subject to flooding hazards, erosion hazards, including wetlands.
- Projects must be employment or industrial uses including but not limited to advanced manufacturing (inclusive of priority sectors such as automotive, defense, mining, and life sciences). Residential, office, mixed-use, commercial and retail projects would not be eligible.
- May be vacant land or underutilized industrial buildings.
- Priority will be given to projects anticipating the creation or retention of a large number of jobs.
- Priority will be given to projects anticipating the creation of a large amount of new/redeveloped gross floor area and large construction values.
- Priority will be given to projects in priority sectors such as automotive, defense, mining, and life sciences.
- Priority will be given to projects receiving funding through Invest Ontario, or other provincial or federal funding agencies.
- Study grants will be issued upon first occupancy, which must occur within 24 months of the building permit being issued. To qualify for funding, the first occupant must meet the CIP’s use eligibility criteria.
- Extensions of up to 12 months may be considered if construction has commenced and there is verifiable proof of future tenancy.
- For renovations to existing multi-tenant buildings, if the entire building is being renovated and intended for multiple tenants, a single application may be submitted for the whole property. However, if only one unit is being renovated, that unit must independently meet the CIP eligibility requirements. The same grant disbursement timing as above would apply.
In addition, the following general eligibility requirements apply, as outlined in section 3.3.1 of the Employment Development CIP:
How to Apply
Submission intake for all programs is continuous and applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
An application to the Study Grants Program must be submitted after Site Plan Approval is granted, if applicable. Applications can be submitted after Building Permit issuance but must be received prior to issuance of an Occupancy Permit.
To accept an application as complete, you must submit or attest to the following:
- Complete application form
- Owner’s authorization form, if applicable
- Cover letter
- Site plan drawing or concept plan
- Anticipated employment numbers and agreement to provide payroll information when requested as supporting documentation
- Confirm if a Site Plan Control agreement has been approved, required for certain applications
- Confirm an occupancy permit has not been issued
- Agree to enter into a legal agreement with the City of Barrie (if you are approved for a CIP)
Evaluation
Invest Barrie staff aim to confirm Study Grants eligibility within two weeks of receiving a completed application. Once staff have confirmed eligibility, and occupancy has been granted as per the above, applicants will be notified in writing. Then, the necessary legal agreements will be finalized and registered.
Submissions are reviewed using the Employment Development CIP scorecard to determine program eligibility. Projects must score a minimum of 70 on the scorecard to be eligible. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed.
Learn more about the evaluation and funding decision process.
Visit barrie.ca/EmploymentLandsCIP to learn about the other financial incentive programs offered.