Eligibility

You can apply if you’re:

  • an incorporated non-profit organization with public transit mandate
  • a municipality (for underserviced areas)
  • a public transit provider owned by a municipality or a corporate entity on behalf of a municipality
  • an incorporated association representing public transit service operators in Nova Scotia
  • the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities

Funding is available for one project per year per organization unless otherwise approved by the Community Transportation team.

Wondering if an expense is eligible for NSTRIP funding? Check the list below. Please check with the Program Coordinator for eligibility of expenses not noted below as this is not an exhaustive list.

Eligible expenses for projects in unserved areas

Feasibility Study (100% up to a maximum of $15,000)
  • External consulting
  • Hall rental for community meetings
  • Misc. office expenses (mailouts, advertising etc.); not to exceed 5% of grant amount

Ineligible Expenses

  • Internal consulting (member of existing organization, unless approved by Link Nova Scotia)
  • Allocation of fixed or administrative costs (rent, utilities etc.)
  • Meals or food, unless purchased for community meetings
Business Plans (75% up to a maximum of $20,000)
  • External consulting
  • Hall rental for community meetings
  • Misc. office expenses (mailouts, advertising etc.); not to exceed 5% of grant amount
  • Volunteer hours, as approved by NSTRIP Program Coordinator, for the applicant’s contribution only

Ineligible Expenses

  • Staff time for existing transit organizations or municipalities unless the staff time is incremental
  • Organizational oversight associated with conducting a business plan including;
    • writing the Request for Proposal (RFP),
    • review and selection of the proposals and;
    • review of the draft report(s) submitted by the consultant.
  • In kind Board member time from existing transit organizations
  • Allocation of fixed or administrative costs (rent, utilities etc.)
  • Meals or food, unless purchased for community meetings or all-day strategic planning sessions.
Pre-Implementation (75% up to a maximum of $25,000)
  • Manager wages for new organizations.
  • Incremental manager wages for existing organizations
  • Website Design
  • Web hosting fees
  • Registry of Joint Stocks Fee
  • Office equipment (phones, computer, etc.)
  • Marketing material (brochures, fridge magnets, etc.)
  • Advertising
  • Logo Development Software
  • Vehicle insurance, registration and licensing
  • In kind as approved by NSTRIP Program Coordinator

Ineligible Expenses

  • Staff time for existing transit organizations or municipalities unless the staff time is incremental
  • Organizational oversight associated with conducting a business plan including;
    • writing the Request for Proposal (RFP),
    • review and selection of the proposals and;
    • review of the draft report(s) submitted by the consultant.
  • In kind Board member time from existing transit organizations
  • Allocation of fixed or administrative costs (rent, utilities etc.)
  • Meals or food, unless purchased for community meetings or all-day strategic planning sessions.
Pilot (75% up to a maximum of $50,000)
  • Wages
    • Manager wages for new organizations.
    • Incremental manager wages for existing organizations
    • Dispatcher wages for new organizations.
    • Incremental dispatcher wages for existing organizations
    • Driver wages
  • Office expenses (rent, phones, supplies, etc.)
  • Advertising/Marketing
  • Board insurance
  • All vehicle expenses

Ineligible Expenses

  • Board member time
  • Consulting/Professional fees unless specialized i.e. marketing, legal etc
  • Depreciation
  • Vehicle purchase or loan payments
  • In kind contributions
  • Allocation of fixed or administrative costs

Eligible expenses for research or sustainability projects

Research or Sustainability Projects
  • External consulting
  • Advertising/marketing materials
  • Specialized training instructors (board governance, accessibility, succession planning, etc.)
  • Hall rental for community meetings

Ineligible Expenses

  • Staff time, unless incremental and approved by Link Nova Scotia
  • Board member time
  • Meals or food, unless purchased for community meetings
  • Operating expenses (equipment, phones, computers, etc.)
  • Vehicle purchase
  • Vehicle loan or vehicle interest payments
  • Depreciation
  • In kind contributions
  • Allocation of fixed or administrative costs (rent, utilities, etc.)


In kind contributions are eligible if they represent incremental costs associated with the proposed project. “Incremental” means additional or new costs incurred because of the project, including a new staff person or additional non-overtime hours by regular staff. Incremental staff hours of salaried or hourly employees must be at the same rate of pay as their regular job and approved by the Board Chair.

How to apply

Applications for the Nova Scotia Transit Research Incentive Program open Friday, April 26, 2025 and will close Friday, May 23, 2025.

How to apply
  1. Review detailed program criteria in the Nova Scotia Transit Research Incentive Program Guidelines.
  2. Complete the application form.
  3. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
  4. Send your completed application and supporting documents by email.

There is no cost to apply.

How long it takes

It should take 6 to 8 weeks from submission for the Community Transportation team to review your funding application and let you know if your funding application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

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