Open
Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program
Last Update: March 18, 2026
Canada
Funding for innovative wood-based multi-unit residential building projects
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program provides non-repayable contributions of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5 million, to support demonstration projects that use innovative wood-based building technologies in multi-unit residential construction. The program aims to accelerate housing construction and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting advanced wood-based products and Modern Methods of Construction.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Research and experimental development
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Conduct research
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : March 4, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
- Multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) using advanced wood-based solutions
- Mixed-use residential buildings with commercial or community space
- Modern Methods of Construction using wood-based products
- Deployment of innovative building technologies and systems
- Use of advanced non-structural bio-products (wood cladding, wood fibre insulation)
- Market rate rental housing, student housing, northern and remote housing
- Transitional and social housing projects
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,394,000
Demonstration of mass timber midrise affordable housing units
$ 1,149,000
Pilot retrofit of a community centre with advanced timber products
$ 900,000
Design and construction of adaptive mass timber daycare facility
$ 1,350,000
Implementation of modular timber townhouses for urban infill project
$ 1,349,000
Demonstration of a pedestrian bridge with mass timber components
$ 1,385,000
Construction of a modular wood-based student residence building
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Project renderings and construction documents
- Project schedule (Gantt chart or equivalent)
- Proof of building permit status
- Site layout
- Class D or Class C cost estimate
- Comparative project cost analysis
- Proof of engagement with off-site manufacturer
Eligibility
- Must be a legal entity incorporated or registered in Canada.
- Project must be for multi-unit residential buildings (MURB) or mixed-use residential buildings.
- Project must incorporate innovative wood-based building solutions or advanced bio-products.
- Must use structural wood products manufactured in Canada.
- Must use wood-based materials prefabricated in an off-site factory.
- Project must be at an advanced stage of design or permitting or be shovel-ready.
- Applicant must agree to knowledge and information sharing.
Who is eligible?
- For-profit organizations (developers, builders)
- Not-for-profit organizations and housing providers
- Indigenous organizations and communities
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments
- Government departments and agencies
- Industry associations, research associations, standards associations
Who is not eligible
- Individuals or unincorporated businesses
- Companies not registered in Canada
- Projects that do not use Canadian-manufactured wood products
- Projects not at advanced design or permitting stage
Eligible expenses
- Research and development for design and code compliance (engineering, testing, modelling)
- Deployment of Modern Methods of Construction (off-site and on-site)
- Standardization of design concepts and prototype development
- Fire safety and moisture management strategies
- Cost of innovative wood-based building technology and bio-products
- Manufacturing and processing of wood-based assemblies
- Development of case studies and knowledge sharing materials
- In situ testing, instrumentation and performance monitoring
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Production or export of softwood lumber products
- Projects not incorporating innovative wood-based solutions
- Projects at early design stage (must be shovel-ready or advanced permitting)
- Non-residential or single-family residential projects
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada-wide - projects located anywhere in Canada
Selection criteria
- Innovation in building solutions and technologies
- Cost effectiveness and replicability
- Technical feasibility
- Business case strength
- Experience and expertise of the team
- Value for investment
- Project timing and readiness
- Benefits to Canadians
How to apply
1
Research program and review guidebook
- Visit the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) funding portal at nrcan-funding-financement-rncan.canada.ca
- Access the GCWood Program section to review eligibility criteria and program objectives
- Download the GCWood Applicant Guidebook 2026 for MURB demonstration projects
2
Prepare supporting documentation
- Gather project renderings and construction documents
- Prepare project schedule (Gantt chart or equivalent)
- Obtain proof of building permit status (municipal receipts or email confirmations)
- Create site layout plan
- Prepare Class D or Class C estimate
- Develop comparative project cost analysis
- Secure proof of engagement with off-site manufacturer
3
Complete application form
- Complete the application form (available as Word document for offline completion)
- Ensure all required fields are filled accurately
- Attach all supporting documentation
- Review application against mandatory eligibility criteria
4
Submit application through funding portal
- Submit application through NRCan Funding Portal before April 27, 2026, 3:00 p.m. EST
- Ensure all documents are uploaded successfully
- Obtain confirmation of submission
5
Wait for application review
- NRCan acknowledges receipt within 5 business days
- Application is reviewed by interdisciplinary panel of experts
- Projects assessed against mandatory and rated criteria
- Funding decision issued within 100 business days of closing date
Processing and Agreement
- Application acknowledgment within 5 business days (95% service standard)
- Funding decision within 100 business days of call closing (90% service standard)
- Review by interdisciplinary expert panel against mandatory and rated criteria
- Due diligence phase for successful projects before funding agreement
- Notification of proposal results (approved or declined)
- Payment within 30 calendar days of receiving compliant invoices
Additional information
- The program is currently accepting applications for MURB demonstration projects until April 27, 2026.
- Projects must use structural wood products manufactured in Canada and be prefabricated off-site.
- Funding is non-repayable (grant contribution).
- Successful projects must share knowledge and information to encourage broader adoption.
Contacts
gcwood-cvbois@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
