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).

Funding Amount

IFIT’s Capital Investment Projects Stream funds up to a maximum $10M per project, while the Studies Stream provides grants of $100K-$500K.

Eligible Applicants

For-profit businesses and organizations of all sizes operating in the forestry sector in Canada are eligible to apply.

Eligible Activities

Capital costs, salaries, professional services, materials and supplies, and other project costs associated with transformative projects are supported by IFIT.

Deadline to Apply

Both streams are closed with no mention of further intakes.

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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

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

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

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program

Program Deadline

Both streams are closed with no mention of further intakes.

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