How much funding can be received?

The Ontario Forest Biomass Program aims to enhance wood utilization and support the forest bioeconomy by funding projects that involve Indigenous communities, with a focus on economic, social, and environmental benefits. The maximum funding available for Indigenous bioeconomy partnerships projects is up to 80% of total eligible project costs, capped at $250,000, covering activities such as business development, capacity building, and technology innovation.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports the development and enhancement of Ontario's forest bioeconomy, with a particular focus on fostering Indigenous participation and innovation. The eligible projects emphasize economic opportunities, strategic partnerships, and sustainability in the forest sector.

Conducting studies and evaluations to identify or develop economic or business opportunities utilizing forest biomass.
Engaging in strategic, business, human resources, marketing, and financial planning or community economic development planning.
Developing or expanding Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships, or businesses in the bioeconomy.
Facilitating capacity development and training for Indigenous communities.
Creating tools, technology, products, services, and systems supporting the bioeconomy.
Performing engineering design, environmental planning, permitting, or other project design activities.
Developing sites, constructing facilities, and commissioning businesses or expanding operations.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be a business, municipality, Indigenous community, or not-for-profit organization with a project based in Ontario.
The project must aim to expand the use of forest biomass and enhance the forest biomass supply chain within Ontario.
For the Indigenous bioeconomy partnerships stream, applicants must be Indigenous communities, Indigenous not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses (51% or greater control and ownership by an Indigenous community or communities, organization or person(s)).
The project must demonstrate a positive impact on the development of Ontario's bioeconomy in alignment with the objectives of the strategy and FBAP.
Exceptions to certain eligibility requirements may be considered for projects with significant impact to forest biomass usage and supply chains that are strategically important to Ontario’s forest sector.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Forest Biomass Program is targeted towards businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations involved in projects within Ontario that enhance the forest biomass supply chain and utilization. The program aligns with strategic efforts to advance the bioeconomy sector, particularly focusing on underutilized species and enhancing the supply chain through various project initiatives.

Ontario-based businesses involved in forest biomass projects.
Municipalities undertaking initiatives to utilize forest biomass effectively.
Indigenous communities seeking to engage in bioeconomy developments.
Not-for-profit organizations aiming to expand or enhance the biomass supply chain in Ontario.
Entities that have projects impacting the usage and supply chains of forest biomass significantly.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant does not specify particular types of companies or industries that are explicitly ineligible based on status or main activity. However, there are common restrictions related to the nature of costs and business ownership.

Businesses where labour costs are for any person owning 10% or more of the applicant business or organization.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers specific expenses that are incremental to the applicant and directly related to the project, focusing on actual costs incurred for advancing forest biomass initiatives.

Professional, technical, and legal services.
Salaries, wages, and benefits, excluding post-employment benefits like severance.
Planning and design costs.
Training and skills development.
Transportation costs.
Capital costs, including purchase and installation of equipment and machinery.
Rolling stock directly related to the project, such as harvesting equipment, tractors, biomass processing equipment (excluding vehicles such as trucks, vans, cars).
Material costs.
Permits or approvals.
Installation and commissioning costs.
Overhead costs directly related to the project, not exceeding 15% of the total contribution.
Travel, including accommodation, meals, and allowances (based on approved rates).
In-kind contribution of staff time by the applying organization's employees (including permanent and contract employees, not exceeding 10% of the total eligible costs).
Administrative costs directly linked to studies, such as communication costs, printing or photocopying by outside suppliers, and acquisition of documents used exclusively for the study.
Document translation.
Costs related to meetings and public gatherings for communicating the study or collecting feedback, including facility rental and A/V equipment.
Land leases for demonstration plants, not exceeding three years.
Research and development costs, including third-party verification technology readiness level, certification, and standards testing.
Honoraria, ceremonial, and hospitality costs for community engagement events and project meetings.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This program is eligible only for entities that are based in Ontario, Canada, as specified in the program description. Eligible applicants include those looking to expand the use of forest biomass within this specified region.

Ontario, Canada

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Ontario Forest Biomass Program focuses on how well the projects align with the program's objectives and their impact on the forest bioeconomy and regional economies in Ontario.

Alignment with program objectives: Projects must align with and support the objectives of the relevant program stream.
Project outcomes: Clarity and attainability of the outcomes to be achieved through project implementation.
Sector and cluster priorities: Importance to Ontario’s broader forest bioeconomy and positive impact on enhancing competitive advantage of Ontario’s forest biomass supply chain.
Regional impact: Projects should positively impact regional economies, enhance long-term use of underutilized forest resources, and produce social/economic benefits beyond the applicant’s immediate operations.
Carbon emissions reduction: Projects are expected to contribute to the reduction of Ontario’s carbon emissions.
Addressing regional disparities: Priority is given to projects that address economic imbalances in communities or regions below the provincial economic average.
Incrementality: The degree to which government support is necessary for the implementation scope and scale of the project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Pre-Application Consultation
Contact the program representatives to discuss your project idea.
Ensure alignment with the program objectives and eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Prepare Application
Review the program guidelines to understand requirements.
Collect necessary supporting documentation.
Complete the application form with detailed project information.
Step 3: Submit Application
Ensure the application is complete and all required documents are attached.
Email the completed application form and supporting documents to forestbiomass@ontario.ca.
Step 4: Acknowledgement of Receipt
Wait for confirmation of receipt from the program administrators.
Verify all information submitted is correct upon receiving confirmation.
Step 5: Application Review
Program administrators will review for completeness and eligibility.
Be responsive to any requests for additional information during the review process.
Step 6: Await Evaluation Results
Applications are evaluated based on set criteria outlined in the program guide.
Successful applicants are notified and may proceed with agreeing to the funding terms.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The ministry is bound by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which may subject any information provided in the application to disclosure.
Approved projects may be the subject of public announcements.
Applicants should not incur any costs predicated on receiving funding until a funding agreement is approved and executed.
This is a competitive program with a limited budget, and the ministry does not guarantee funding to all applicants nor the total amount requested.
No contractual relationship exists between the applicant and the province until a funding agreement is executed.

grant_single_labels|contact

forestbiomass@ontario.ca

Apply to this program

Empowering Ontario’s Forest Bioeconomy with Targeted Funding

The Ontario Forest Biomass Program is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing wood utilization and promoting sustainable development in the province's forest sector. By providing financial support, it seeks to facilitate innovative projects that incorporate forest biomass to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Understanding the Ontario Forest Biomass Program and Its Strategic Vision

The Ontario Forest Biomass Program is a cornerstone of Ontario’s commitment to advancing its forest bioeconomy, aligning with both the provincial Forest Biomass Action Plan and the broader Sustainable Growth Forest Sector Strategy. This program not only underscores Ontario’s dedication to sustainable forest management but also enhances the province's role in the burgeoning global circular green economy. A significant aspect of the program is its emphasis on innovation, diversification, and modernization within Ontario’s forest sector, encouraging new uses and technological advancements in forest biomass and bio-products.

The program supports a variety of projects through four distinct streams, each targeting specific aspects of the forest bioeconomy. Notably, the Indigenous bioeconomy partnerships stream is designed to foster increased participation of Indigenous communities in these economic opportunities, which aligns with Ontario's broader goals of inclusive engagement and shared prosperity. Projects within this stream are expected to demonstrate a positive impact on the bioeconomy, from developing new business ventures to fostering community-level economic development and capacity building.

Eligibility for funding under this program is expanded to include businesses, municipalities, and Indigenous communities across Ontario. These entities can submit their applications biannually, thus providing multiple opportunities each year to secure funding and implement projects that have the potential to transform the forest biomass supply chain. The emphasis is placed not only on increasing the usage of underutilized forest resources but also on ensuring that these initiatives contribute positively to regional economies and employment opportunities, ultimately enhancing the sector's sustainability and economic viability through a robust supply chain.

Funding under the program is structured as a conditional contribution, requiring recipients to demonstrate the achievement of specific project milestones and the incurrence of eligible expenses. With provisions for up to 80% project cost coverage in the Indigenous bioeconomy partnerships stream, the program alleviates financial burdens, allowing for greater flexibility in pursuing innovative projects. Additionally, the ability to stack funding with other government sources up to 100% ensures that comprehensive financial backing is in place for impactful projects.

A strategic and rigorous evaluation process underscores the funding disbursement, integrating factors such as alignment with program objectives, regional and economic impacts, innovation potential, and environmental benefits. This ensures that projects not only contribute to the economic and social landscape of the geography they inhabit but also encompass environmental sustainability and resource optimization, crucial to reducing carbon emissions and advancing Ontario's climate change goals. Furthermore, priority is given to projects that contribute to reducing regional disparities, ensuring that less economically advantaged regions receive the benefits of forest bioeconomy development.

Through this program, Ontario strengthens its forest bioeconomy’s resilience, positioning the province as a leader in sustainable forestry practices and innovation. This initiative is vital for stakeholders aiming to capitalize on the economic potentials of forest biomass while contributing to environmental conservation and reducing carbon footprints. By aligning with the objectives outlined in both the strategy and FBAP, beneficiaries not only help meet Ontario’s economic goals but also advance global sustainability initiatives.