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FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects - Ontario - Canada
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FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects

Funding for Northern Ontario pivot projects that improve productivity, diversify markets or strengthen supply chains in response to tariff impacts.
Offered by
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
Official source: fednor.canada.ca
Funding available
$ 20,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Northern Ontario.

See full eligibility

Overview

Regional Tariff Response Initiative supports incorporated SMEs in Northern Ontario affected by tariffs with up to 50% reimbursement for non-repayable contributions to a maximum of $1 million, or up to 75% for repayable contributions over $1 million. Eligible projects include digitization and automation investments, market development and expansion, and supply chain optimization.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 20,000,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Non-profit
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • 5 employees minimum
Audience
  • All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next Steps

1
Determine your project

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Activities funded

  • Productivity improvements and process modernization.
  • Equipment and technology adoption, including automation and digitization.
  • Market diversification and export development.
  • Supply chain resilience and other activities that increase competitiveness and reduce trade-related risks.

Documents Needed

  • Incorporation documents, amendments and ownership information; biographies of key management and project team members.
  • The most recent financial statements and those for the two previous years, as requested by FedNor.
  • Evidence of tariff impacts.
  • Project schedule and detailed cost forecast.
  • Forecasted financial statements for the three years following project completion, as requested by FedNor.

Sources and recorded changes

Source change captured
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Record updated

A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.

RTRI FAQ adds eligibility, funding, and timing rules

The RTRI FAQ now sets out who can apply, what documents are needed, how funding is capped, and the project and liquidity timelines.

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative FAQ now confirms key applicant rules: incorporated for-profit businesses in Northern Ontario with at least $1 million in annual revenue in one of the last two fiscal years, with limited not-for-profit eligibility and no not-for-profit liquidity support. It also adds application and project details, including required supporting documents, no duplication of funding for the same costs, project start dates up to 12 months before application, completion by March 31, 2029, and liquidity support available for up to 12 months ending no later than March 31, 2028. The FAQ also sets new funding terms for pivot projects, including non-repayable contributions of up to $1 million at up to 50% of total project costs, repayable contributions above $1 million at up to 75% of total project costs, and a maximum of $20 million under RTRI including liquidity support.

Official page

Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Program guide

Frequently asked questions - Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Application portal

Detailed application - Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated for-profit businesses located and operating in Northern Ontario.
  • Not-for-profit organizations in Northern Ontario whose primary focus is to support businesses.
  • Businesses in all tariff-impacted sectors.

Who is not eligible

  • Governments (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous governments and their agencies) and Crown corporations.
  • Businesses that are unable to demonstrate direct or indirect tariff exposure.

Eligible expenses

  • New, incremental costs directly related to the pivot project, including activities that improve productivity, competitiveness, supply chain resilience, market diversification or long-term growth.
  • Confirm the proposed cost categories and their eligibility with FedNor when preparing the application.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • In-kind contributions, cash from forecasted revenue and requests to support ongoing operating costs cannot be included in a pivot project budget.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Northern Ontario

Selection criteria

  • Applications are assessed based on program criteria.
  • Demonstrated need is part of the assessment.
  • The business’s proposed response to tariff impacts is assessed.
  • The review includes the business case, financial projections, and any issues that may impact the project's success.

How to apply

  • Review the program information and applicant guide.
  • Discuss your project with a FedNor program officer.
  • Submit the one-phase application through the FedNor self-service portal, including the business case, financial information, budget and supporting documents.
  • Retain the submission confirmation and application number.

Processing and Agreement

  • All applications will be assessed as they are received.
  • The review includes the business case and financial projections, and the identification of any issues that may impact the project's success.
  • Completing an application does not guarantee funding approval.
  • Approval depends on funding availability.
  • If the application is successfully submitted, the portal provides a Confirmation page and an Application number.

Additional information

  • Applicants are encouraged to consider Canadian materials and content where such materials and content are competitive and available.
  • Information on equity-deserving groups is voluntary, confidential, and is not used to assess or score applications.
  • Information provided to FedNor is treated in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Contacts

1-877-333-6673
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Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects Program

What is the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects?

Regional Tariff Response Initiative supports incorporated SMEs in Northern Ontario affected by tariffs with up to 50% reimbursement for non-repayable contributions to a maximum of $1 million, or up to 75% for repayable contributions over $1 million. Eligible projects include digitization and automation investments, market development and expansion, and supply chain optimization.

How much funding can be received?

FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects program?

To be eligible for the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects program, you must: Businesses must be incorporated for-profit and located and operating in Northern Ontario. Businesses must have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the last two fiscal years. Businesses must have been viable prior to March 21, 2025. Applicants must demonstrate they have been affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures or countervailing duties. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible in Northern Ontario when their primary focus is to support businesses.

What expenses are eligible under FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects?

New, incremental costs directly related to the pivot project, including activities that improve productivity, competitiveness, supply chain resilience, market diversification or long-term growth. Confirm the proposed cost categories and their eligibility with FedNor when preparing the application.

Who can I contact for more information about the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects?

You can contact Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) or by phone at 1-877-333-6673.

Where is the FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects available?

The FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern Ontario — Pivot projects program is available the province of Ontario.