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Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program
Strategic funding for Ontario forest sector projects
Last Update: May 22, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : March 21, 2025
- Closing date : April 29, 2025
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program supports Ontario forest sector businesses and collaborations through strategic funding for productivity, innovation, market access, and regional growth. Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, research and development, training, and market expansion activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : March 21, 2025
- Closing date : April 29, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Productivity improvement projects in Ontario forest sector operations.
- Innovation projects involving new technologies, processes, or products.
- Market expansion projects for new domestic or international sales.
- Collaboration projects to develop, diversify, and transform the forest sector.
Documents Needed
- Stage I Eligibility Checklist and Application Form
- Stage II Business Plan
- Required supplemental documents for Stage II
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit manufacturers and processors of wood and forest biomass
- Sawmills and pulp and paper mills
- Secondary wood manufacturers
- Bio-economy and bio-product businesses
- Forest sector collaborations with research organizations, associations, and academia
Who is not eligible
- Harvesting and hauling companies
- Resource extraction projects
- Restructuring projects
- Mergers and acquisitions
Eligible expenses
- Facility construction, expansion, modification, or upgrades directly related to the project
- Equipment and machinery purchase, upgrade, delivery, and installation
- Project-related computer hardware, software, materials, labour, R&D, and training
- Market expansion costs, including certification, testing, translation, and trade shows
- Eligible travel, legal, accounting, and intellectual property protection fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Harvesting, hauling, and resource extraction projects.
- Restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions.
- Ongoing operating costs, overhead, rent, utilities, and general working capital.
- Interest costs, equipment depreciation, and maintenance.
- Meals, hospitality, memberships, and business plan preparation costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Alignment with productivity, innovation, market access, and competitiveness goals.
- Positive impact on regional economies and Ontario’s broader forest sector.
- Need for government support to complete the project.
- Financial and technical due diligence, including project risk assessment.
- Competitive strength against other projects in the same round.
How to apply
1
Access Transfer Payment Ontario
- Login to the Transfer Payment Ontario portal.
- Access the Stage I Eligibility Checklist and Application Form.
2
Complete Stage I Application
- Complete the Stage I Eligibility Checklist.
- Fill out the Stage I Application Form with detailed project information.
- Submit your Stage I application before the deadline for the desired round.
3
Prepare for Stage II
- If selected, prepare a Stage II Business Plan.
- Gather all required supplemental documents.
4
Submit Stage II Application
- Submit the completed Stage II Business Plan and supplemental documents by the Stage II deadline.
- Ensure all information is complete and accurate to avoid deferral or rejection.
5
Review and Confirmation
- Check for a confirmation of submission for both Stage I and Stage II.
- Contact the Business Development Branch via email or phone for assistance if needed.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a two-stage competitive process.
- Stage I checks eligibility and overall alignment with program objectives.
- Stage II includes detailed evaluation, financial and technical due diligence, and project risk assessment.
- Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement before receiving any payment.
- Funding decisions are competitive and not guaranteed, even if a project meets the criteria.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed in competitive rounds.
- Approved projects must sign a funding agreement before any payment is made.
- Recipients may be subject to annual reporting and audit requirements.
- Approved projects may be publicly announced.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program Program
What is the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program?
The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program supports Ontario forest sector businesses and collaborations through strategic funding for productivity, innovation, market access, and regional growth. Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, research and development, training, and market expansion activities.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was April 29, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program program?
To be eligible for the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program program, you must:
Ontario-registered forest sector business or eligible collaboration
Project aligned with program objectives
At least $3 million in eligible costs
What expenses are eligible under Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program?
Productivity improvement projects in Ontario forest sector operations.
Innovation projects involving new technologies, processes, or products.
Market expansion projects for new domestic or international sales.
Collaboration projects to develop, diversify, and transform the forest sector.
Who can I contact for more information about the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at FSIIP@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-844-573-9017.
Where is the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program available?
The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program is a Grant and Funding