Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program
Receive up to $100k to $10M in Government Funding.
Originally launched in 2010 by the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada (NRC), the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program exists to address a critical need for capital investment in new forest industry technologies that innovate, diversify, and bring new jobs to the ever-growing Canadian forest industry. The program was renewed in 2020, with $82.9 million of funding to be distributed over three years among two streams: Capital Investment Projects (Stream 1) and Studies (Stream 2).
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program
Amount of Funding
Funding allotment varies according to stream:
Capital Investment Stream: Applicants may receive up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum amount of $10 million.
Studies Stream: Applicants may receive up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum amount of $500,000.
![Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Amount-of-Funding.png)
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program
Eligible Applicants
Applicant eligibility is the same for both IFIT streams:
- Applicants may be eligible if they are for-profit organizations located in Canada; and
- Must produce forest products in a current facility or will be entering the forest sector via the project application.
![Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eligible-Applicants.png)
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program
Eligible Activities
Project Eligibility varies according to each stream but applicants must meet all criteria to be considered:
Capital Investment Stream:
- Must be currently associated with current industrial processes in the forest sector and located in Canada;
- Applicants are heavily based on wood fibre;
- Are implementing an innovative enhancement in technology for the production of bioproducts to continue Canada’s position as a world-leader in forestry; and
- Diversifies the Canadian product mix in the forest sector.
Studies Stream:
- Studies support the initial technology investment, process, and product trial to bring the initiatives closer to commercialization; or
- Studies help get an eventual demonstration or commercialization of an innovative technology or product development.
![Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eligible-Expenses.png)
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program
Program Deadline
Both streams are closed with no mention of further intakes.
![Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Program-Deadline.png)