Opening Soon
Source verified July 23, 2026
Financial support for northern initiatives
Supports northern projects that strengthen communities
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: June 21, 2026Latest change: The grant page now shows a new application window for financial assistance, replacing the earlier deadline.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 21, 2026
Latest change: The grant page now shows a new application window for financial assistance, replacing the earlier deadline.
Application period updated
The application timeline changed from an earlier deadline of January 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. to a new application period running from August 19, 2026 to September 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The application instructions and required documents remain the same in substance, but the submission section now reflects the updated window for sending applications for financial assistance.
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Opening Soon
Opened August 15, 2026
Location
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec, Canada
Overview
Le Fonds d’initiatives nordiques soutient des projets dans le territoire québécois au nord du 49e parallèle, portés par des organismes, entreprises et collectivités admissibles. Il appuie notamment les services à la population, la conservation de l’environnement, la recherche, la formation et les infrastructures de développement social.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
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
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Public services
- Environmental conservation and climate change mitigation
- Socio-economic diversification
- Support for research and dissemination of knowledge from the northern territory
- Knowledge acquisition projects or studies
- Education and worker training projects
- Symposiums, specialty shows, conventions, conferences, and networking events
- Social development infrastructure
Documents Needed
- Financial assistance application form completed, signed and dated
- Copy of the applicant organization’s most recent financial report
- Copy of the resolution by the board of directors authorizing the applicant to submit projects and sign agreements
- Written evidence of the search for complementarity
- Letters of commitment from project partners, when applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated non-profit organizations
- Cooperatives whose activities are similar to those of a non-profit organization
- Mutual organizations whose activities are similar to those of a non-profit organization
- Band councils of Indigenous communities and Indigenous communities
- Northern village corporations, northern villages, and Inuit landholding corporations
Who is not eligible
- Projects of individual persons
- Projects from organizations registered with the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA)
- Projects from applicants who have failed to meet their obligations after formal notice regarding previous financial assistance in the two years before the application
- Municipal infrastructure
- Festivals
Eligible expenses
- Operating costs necessary for project completion, including wages and other remuneration and one-off rent payments
- Cost of purchasing or leasing materials and equipment
- Cost of producing plans and studies
- Professional fees
- Administrative expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Recurring expenditures
- Representation expenses, donations and sponsorships
- Expenses related to the purchase of any motor vehicle that can be registered
- Expenditures incurred before the project is submitted
- Expenses planned after March 31, 2028
Eligible geographic areas
- Québec's northern territory, north of the 49th parallel, north of the St. Lawrence and north of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Selection criteria
- Eligible projects are assessed by a selection committee using the program’s analysis criteria and the sustainable development criteria in Appendix B.
- For projects using a wooden or hybrid main structure, the professional responsible for the plans and specifications must certify that the project will be carried out with such a structure.
- A comparative assessment of greenhouse gas emissions using the Gestimat tool is required at the preliminary stage and, if accepted, at the completed-project stage.
How to apply
- Consult the application guide first.
- Complete the financial assistance application form.
- Submit the completed, signed, and dated form with the required documents by email or by mail to the Société du Plan Nord.
Processing and Agreement
- If the project is selected, it will be subject to a financial assistance agreement with the Société du Plan Nord.
- The agreement will specify payment terms and conditions for granting financial assistance.
- For each payment, an activity and utilization report must be submitted according to the deadlines set out in the funding agreement.
- The final report must include the project description, project and activity costs, funding sources and amounts, jobs created if applicable, supporting documents for eligible expenses, and a report on project benefits according to sustainable development criteria.
Additional information
- The Fund is part of the Société du Plan Nord’s financial tools and is tied to the 2023-2028 period.
- Projects submitted by recognized educational institutions must respond to needs identified by local organizations.
- For projects falling under a
- Applications are accepted from August 19 to September 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. government department or body’s purview, the Société du Plan Nord will request a notice of relevance from the appropriate authority.
- Contributions in kind are accepted, subject to a justifying rationale.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Financial support for northern initiatives Program
What is the Financial support for northern initiatives?
Le Fonds d’initiatives nordiques soutient des projets dans le territoire québécois au nord du 49e parallèle, portés par des organismes, entreprises et collectivités admissibles. Il appuie notamment les services à la population, la conservation de l’environnement, la recherche, la formation et les infrastructures de développement social.
How much funding can be received?
Financial support for northern initiatives Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Financial support for northern initiatives program?
To be eligible for the Financial support for northern initiatives program, you must:
The project must take place in Québec's northern territory or benefit communities or businesses located there.
The applicant must show that additional funding was sought from local or regional government and from a relevant Québec or Canada department or agency.
The project must fit one of the eligible project categories.
What expenses are eligible under Financial support for northern initiatives?
Public services
Environmental conservation and climate change mitigation
Socio-economic diversification
Support for research and dissemination of knowledge from the northern territory
Knowledge acquisition projects or studies
Education and worker training projects
Symposiums, specialty shows, conventions, conferences, and networking events
Social development infrastructure
Who can I contact for more information about the Financial support for northern initiatives?
You can contact Government of Québec by email at fin@spn.gouv.qc.ca.
Where is the Financial support for northern initiatives available?
The Financial support for northern initiatives program is available Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec.
Is the Financial support for northern initiatives a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Financial support for northern initiatives is a Grant and Funding