Closed
Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program
Funding for forest sector investment and innovation
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
This program supports strategic investments in Ontario’s forest sector. It funds business and collaboration projects that improve productivity, innovation, market access, and competitiveness.
/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
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
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program?
This program supports strategic investments in Ontario’s forest sector. It funds business and collaboration projects that improve productivity, innovation, market access, and competitiveness.
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 aligns with program objectives
Minimum $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