Open
Source verified August 10, 2026
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit
Northern economic development support
Funding available
$ 6,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, Canada
Overview
IDEANorth supports registered organizations, businesses, and public or private organizations in the territories to advance economic development across Canada’s North. It funds sector development, business scale-up and productivity, small-scale economic infrastructure, and pre-construction studies for large-scale infrastructure.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 6,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research and planning, including development of sectoral strategies to guide investments.
- Building capacity of organizations through research, expert support, and assistance with development or translation of training materials.
- Product commercialization, market development and expansion; and development of innovative products and services, including the development and adaptation of clean technologies.
- Technology demonstration, adoption, adaptation and piloting of innovative products, services or processes that contribute to economic development.
- Planning, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies; geotechnical and other engineering designs and studies; and construction or expansion of multi-user economic infrastructure.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- A registered organization, Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
- Social enterprises, businesses, other levels of government, and other non-federal entities, public or private.
- Applicants must have an interest in economic development in the North.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, such as technical, environmental, legal, project management and business services.
- Incremental salaries and benefits directly attributable to the project.
- Space and equipment rentals or purchases.
- Project feasibility studies; research fees such as surveys, data acquisition and research studies; and capital purchases/acquisitions.
- Travel, including meals and accommodations; shipping costs; and translation services.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Economic development costs that would be incurred in the absence of IDEANorth.
- Payment for services that would normally be provided without charge.
- Costs of direct skills training or education courses for individuals, of the sort normally offered through learning institutions or apprenticeship programs.
- Wage subsidies for persons receiving training through course work or on the job.
- Core expenses and recoverable taxes (i.e., GST).
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.
Selection criteria
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
Here are the steps to submit an application for the IDEANorth grant:
- Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
- Thoroughly read the IDEANorth program guidelines to understand eligibility requirements and funding priorities.
- Step 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.
- Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Access and complete the IDEANorth application form, ensuring all sections are filled out accurately.
- Step 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.
Processing and Agreement
- Funding will be administered and paid according to the specific contribution agreement between CanNor and the recipient.
- Payments may be made based on documented claims for eligible expenditures incurred and paid, the achievement of pre-determined performance expectations or milestones, or advance payments when essential and specifically provided for in the funding agreement.
- Claims for payments will be certified by officials designated by the Minister as per the requirements of the Financial Administration Act.
- When payments are made based on pre-determined performance expectations or milestones, or advances are made based on recipient cash flows, a final accounting of all project expenditures will be required.
- Progress and financial reports will be required from recipients, at a minimum, on an annual basis, and a final report will be required at the conclusion of a project.
Additional information
- IDEANorth is delivered directly through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit Program
What is the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit?
IDEANorth supports registered organizations, businesses, and public or private organizations in the territories to advance economic development across Canada’s North. It funds sector development, business scale-up and productivity, small-scale economic infrastructure, and pre-construction studies for large-scale infrastructure.
How much funding can be received?
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit Funds up to $6,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program?
To be eligible for the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program, you must:
Registered organizations, Indigenous or non-Indigenous
Social enterprises, businesses, other levels of government, and other non-federal entities, public or private
Interest in economic development in the North
What expenses are eligible under Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit?
Research and planning, including development of sectoral strategies to guide investments.
Building capacity of organizations through research, expert support, and assistance with development or translation of training materials.
Product commercialization, market development and expansion; and development of innovative products and services, including the development and adaptation of clean technologies.
Technology demonstration, adoption, adaptation and piloting of innovative products, services or processes that contribute to economic development.
Planning, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies; geotechnical and other engineering designs and studies; and construction or expansion of multi-user economic infrastructure.
Who can I contact for more information about the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit?
You can contact Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) by email at operations@cannor.gc.ca.
Where is the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit available?
The Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit program is available the province of Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon.
Is the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit is a Grant and Funding