How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects?

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects is funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Government of Canada

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects

Q: What are Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects's eligibility criterias?

For-profit companies located in Canada that either produce forest products in an existing forest product facility or are/will be new entrants in the forest sector for the purpose of the project. Not-for-profits and industry associations that include an industry collaboration with a demonstrated pathway toward commercial scale activities. Eligible recipients may include clusters, joint ventures, and consortiums, with a designated recipient responsible for managing the project and reporting on results.

Last Update: January 24, 2025

Ottawa, ON

Funding for forest sector studies

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects at a glance

Eligible Funding

Min. $100,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : September 30, 2023
Closing date : June 30, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Government of Canada

Status

Closed

Overview of the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects program

Get funding between $100,000 and $500,000 to complete a study linked to the advancement of innovation in the forest sector, including (but not limited to) engineering studies, market evaluations, prototype fabrication and products trials.

Eligible projects & activities

Eligible projects under the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program aim to advance concepts, technologies, and processes that primarily involve wood fibre or are integrated within forest sector processes. The focus is on studies that promote innovation and efficient use of resources in the forest sector.

Studies advancing a concept, technology, process, or product based on wood fibre.
Research into integrating new technologies within existing forest sector industrial processes.
Feasibility studies for innovative projects focusing on advanced biomaterials and biochemicals.
Studies exploring pulp and paper product diversification opportunities.
Projects investigating next-generation building products using wood-based systems.
Research into advanced biofuels derived from wood fibre.
Studies aimed at improving process efficiency and industrial decarbonization.
Exploratory work on improved fibre utilization from underutilized wood sources.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 300,000

Prototype fabrication of biodegradable packaging

$ 300,000

Implementation of bioenergy carbon capture technology

$ 350,000

Developing sustainable bioproducts from forest waste

$ 250,000

Engineering study to improve forest product processing efficiency

$ 180,000

Market study on low-carbon timber products

$ 275,000

Efficient resource utilization project's forest sector

Eligibility criteria of the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects program

Eligibility for the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) grant requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to their legal status and scope of work in the forest sector.

The applicant must be a legal entity validly incorporated or registered in Canada.
Eligible applicants include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, such as companies, industry associations, and research associations.
Indigenous organizations and groups are eligible to apply.
Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies are also eligible where applicable.

Who is eligible?

IFIT funding is open to the following applicants:- Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as companies, industry associations, and research associations.- Indigenous organizations and groups.- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.

Who is not eligible

This grant program primarily outlines eligibility criteria without detailing specific non-eligible industries or company types. The focus is on the forest sector, but exact exclusions are not stated.

Eligible expenses

The IFIT program includes a range of eligible expenses directly related to the implementation and conduct of a project.

Cost of salaries and benefits for personnel directly involved in the project.
Overhead expenditures directly related and essential to the conduct of the project, up to 1.5% of eligible expenditures.
Professional and technical services, including costs of research, consulting, engineering, trades, and laboratory services.
Travel expenses for transportation, accommodation, and meals based on National Joint Council rates.
Training linked to the project.
Publication, printing, and other media services related to the project.
Data collection services, including processing, analysis, and management.
Licence fees and permits required for the project.
Capital expenses for equipment acquired or constructed exclusively for the project, including informatics hardware and software.
Retrofitting and upgrading of existing capital.
Material and supplies consumed during the project, including those for product trials.
Meeting hospitality and space rental necessary for the project.
Costs associated with environmental assessments.
Technical audits associated with project activities.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located across Canada. Any legal entities registered in Canada, including for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, can apply for the grant.

Companies registered anywhere within Canada.
Organizations located in any provinces or territories across Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects program

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure they align with the program’s targeted innovation priorities and demonstrate potential for impactful outcomes in the Canadian forest sector.

Study Relevance: Applicants should demonstrate clear alignment of the proposed study with an industry need and specify outcomes that define success, including performance metrics.
Implementation Plan: Evaluation considers the clarity of work description, project timing, team expertise, and any risks with mitigation measures.
Knowledge Sharing Plan: Preference is given to studies intending to share findings widely and effectively with the Canadian forest sector within one year of project completion.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Demonstrating a strong approach to improving diversity within corporate structures and supply chains is favored.

How to apply to the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects program

Prepare for EOI

Review the Applicant Guidebook to ensure your project meets all IFIT eligibility criteria.
Download the EOI form from the IFIT website to preview the questions.

Submit EOI

Log in to the NRCan Online Submission Portal using GCKey.
Complete the Expression of Interest form online using the prepared responses.
Save your work frequently and review all entries for accuracy.
Submit the EOI form through the portal by the application deadline.

EOI Evaluation

NRCan reviews EOIs against eligibility criteria.
Await notification regarding EOI results, which could lead to an invitation to submit a Full Project Proposal.

Full Project Proposal (if invited)

Receive instructions from the IFIT program regarding FPP timelines and requirements.
Complete the FPP along with any required annexes, diagrams, and support letters.
Upload and submit the FPP through the NRCan Online Submission Portal.

Project Selection

NRCan evaluates FPPs using an interdisciplinary panel.
Successful projects move to the Due Diligence Assessment phase.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Funding recipients must keep proper accounts and records for at least 5 years after the project completion date and are subject to audit by the Government of Canada.
Intellectual property rights resulting from the projects must vest with the applicant, and they must have adequate rights to exploit them.
A diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plan is required, and ongoing submission of a DEI questionnaire will be mandatory for funded projects.
Funding applications may be affected by the Government of Canada's fiscal year reporting, impacting payment schedules.
Notifications for results of Expression of Interest (EOI) phases are provided to all applicants, and only selected projects advance to the Full Study Proposal (FSP) phase.