Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit
Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Funding for economic development in Northern Canada
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Government of Canada
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Program status
Open
Overview of the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program
Get funding for projects related to innovation, economic growth and diversification, and capacity development.
Eligible projects & activities
Eligible projects for the IDEANorth grant focus on supporting economic diversification and foundational growth within Northern Canadian territories. These activities aim to enhance economic infrastructure and sector development, ultimately benefiting local communities.
- Investments in small-scale infrastructure to support local community services and business expansion.
- Support for early-stage large-scale infrastructure projects to facilitate economic growth.
- Initiatives aimed at business scale-up and productivity enhancement to stimulate local economies.
- Projects that foster innovation and development within various economic sectors.
- Capacity-building projects to enhance the skills and participation of Northerners in economic activities.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Upgrading a local community center to expand social services
$ 165,000
Launching an urban green space initiative for environmental and community benefits
$ 175,000
Establishing a technology incubator to support startup growth
$ 240,000
Developing a new renewable energy facility to boost local economy
$ 160,000
Building a new artisan craft market to boost local tourism and economic growth
$ 220,000
Expanding a hydroponic farming facility to increase productivity and community outreach
Eligibility criteria of the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program
The IDEANorth grant eligibility criteria focus on supporting businesses and organizations with a strong emphasis on equitable access and territorial economic development engagement.
- The applicant should be a business or a public or private organization.
- There is a focus on ensuring equitable access to funding for underrepresented groups such as Indigenous people, women, and youth.
- Priority is given to applicants demonstrating proven capacity to deliver projects in the North.
- Applicants must show interest or engagement in territorial economic development.
Who is eligible?
This program supports businesses and other public or private organizations with an emphasis on ensuring equitable access to funding to underrepresented groups such as Indigenous people, women, and youth. Investments will help strengthen existing economic sectors and develop new economic sectors with the goal of enhancing and diversifying economic activity throughout the territories.
Eligible expenses
The IDEANorth grant supports projects and activities that aim to boost economic growth and diversify sectors in Canada's North through targeted investments. These initiatives focus on infrastructure development, business productivity, and innovation to bolster the regional economy.
- Economic growth projects focused on developing existing and new economic sectors.
- Business scale-up initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and innovation.
- Projects involving small-scale economic infrastructure development to extend community and business services.
- Early-stage support for large-scale foundational economic infrastructure projects.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to organizations operating within specific geographical areas in Canada's North. The eligibility is focused on businesses and entities functioning within the territories aligned with the program's economic goals.
- Organizations based in the Canadian territories.
Eligibility criteria of the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program
IDEANorth grant has specific evaluation and selection criteria to identify suitable recipients:
- Applicants must demonstrate proven capacity to deliver projects in the North.
- Preference will be given to applicants showing interest in territorial economic development.
How to apply to the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program
1
Review Program Guidelines
Thoroughly read the IDEANorth program guidelines to understand eligibility requirements and funding priorities.
2
Prepare Application
- Draft a comprehensive project proposal that aligns with IDEANorth priorities.
- Gather necessary documentation to support the application, such as evidence of capacity and project details.
3
Complete Application Form
Access and complete the IDEANorth application form, ensuring all sections are filled out accurately.
4
Submit Application
- Email the completed application form and supporting documents to Operations@cannor.gc.ca.
- Alternatively, contact one of CanNor's regional offices for application submission instructions.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The IDEANorth program builds on previous economic development initiatives to enhance alignment with broader opportunities.
- IDEANorth directly supports foundational and small-scale economic infrastructure projects, alongside promoting business scale-up and productivity.
- Program delivery is facilitated through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Contact Government of Canada
operations@cannor.gc.ca
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