Ontario's Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG), and custom CRM, POS and inventory software from Schkovl

Program facts

RMPG funding facts

• Maximum non-repayable contribution: $5,000.
• Maximum funding share: 50% of approved eligible costs. The applicant contributes at least 50% from private sources.
• Minimum total project cost: $6,000, with an OCI contribution of $3,000 on eligible costs at that minimum.
• The applicant pays vendors before reimbursement and supplies invoices and proof of payment. Funds are released after project activation and approval of the completion claim.
• Project costs must be incurred after OCI project approval and execution of the funding agreement. Purchases made prior to grant approval are ineligible.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. RMPG is discretionary with limited funding. Not all eligible applications are approved.
• Projects must purchase hardware or software to be eligible.
• Procurement must follow the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act (BPSAA).
• After the Funding Agreement is executed, OCI's guideline gives clients 30 days to purchase and implement the technology. Clients then submit supplier invoices and proof of payment to receive reimbursement.
• An offer may be retracted if activation is not completed within 30 days of the approval notice. Confirm the purchase and implementation timetable directly with OCI.
• The OCI funding agreement is non-negotiable.
• Costs incurred outside Ontario are ineligible unless otherwise approved by OCI. All staff costs are ineligible.
• Mandatory reporting applies: final claim within 10 days of completion and outcome surveys at three months and annually for three years.

Copy reviewed October 10, 2026. Copy checked against the April 2026 OCI RMPG guideline and eligible-expenses guide on October 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements directly with OCI.

Looking at OCI's other Digital Competence Centre stream? Read the independent DMAP explainer.

Confirm the expense, not just the technology category

OCI identifies potentially eligible hardware, software and direct external costs to install or set up the solution. Its RMPG documents also exclude labour, consultancy, software subscriptions, website and SEO work, sales taxes and all staff costs.

Do not assume that bespoke development, implementation labour, configuration or a fixed-price build qualifies. Ask OCI for a written interpretation of the actual scope and each proposed expense before relying on reimbursement.

Invoice line descriptions do not establish eligibility. Cost allocations must reflect actual work and consideration; they cannot relabel excluded charges as eligible software or hardware.