How much funding can be received?

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.

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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.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$300,000

Implementation of bioenergy carbon capture technology

$300,000

Prototype fabrication of biodegradable packaging

$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

grant_single_labels|admissibility

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

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.

grant_single_labels|criteria

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.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to apply for the IFIT grant through the Expression of Interest (EOI) process:

Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: Project Selection
NRCan evaluates FPPs using an interdisciplinary panel.
Successful projects move to the Due Diligence Assessment phase.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

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.

grant_single_labels|documents

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Studies projects

grant_single_labels|contact

ifit-itif@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Driving Innovation in the Canadian Forest Sector

The Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program provides financial backing for capital projects and studies aimed at implementing advanced technologies and sustainable practices in the forest sector. This initiative supports efforts to improve environmental performance, diversify markets, and enhance the competitive edge of Canada’s forest industry.

Unlocking the Potential of the Forest Industry Transformation Program

The Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program is a pivotal initiative committed to enhancing the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of the Canadian forest industry through technological advancement and process innovation. Established in 2010, IFIT bridges the crucial gap between product development and commercialization, thereby catalyzing the transition toward a low-carbon economy by supporting projects that focus on innovative and transformative technologies. This program is essential for fostering the integration of advanced biomaterials, biochemicals, next-generation building products, and the diversification of pulp and paper productions, among other industry innovations.

Delivered by Natural Resources Canada, IFIT is structured into two main streams: capital investment projects, which can receive non-repayable contributions of up to $10 million, and studies, which can receive up to $1 million. These financial aids are designed to encourage the adoption of first-in-kind technologies and promote market diversification within the forest sector. In its mission to mitigate the environmental impact of the industry, IFIT also nurtures projects geared toward bioenergy carbon capture and enhanced process efficiencies that reflect the Canadian government's commitment to decarbonization.

Investments facilitated by IFIT are not merely financial aids but are strategic moves ensuring the thriving of forest-reliant communities across Canada. The program has historically secured thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, by financing innovations that convert traditional wood usage into renewable energy sources and bioproducts. The emphasis is placed on projects that integrate existing industrial processes with new, resource-efficient technologies, encouraging a circular economy approach that maximizes the value of wood while reducing waste.

Furthermore, the program plays a significant role in tackling climate change by incentivizing projects that align with Canada’s eco-friendly ambitions. By offering financial support and technical guidance, IFIT enables participating firms to navigate the high-risk space of technological shifts necessary to comply with global climate imperatives. Through this collaborative effort, the program assists in mitigating industrial greenhouse gas emissions and propelling the Canadian forest industry as a leader in sustainable practices.

Eligible applicants for IFIT include a wide range of stakeholders such as for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous groups, and various governmental bodies. These entities are encouraged to harness IFIT’s support in propelling forward-thinking projects that promise robust environmental and economic returns. The dual-phase application process comprising an Expression of Interest and a Full Project Proposal ensures a meticulously thorough evaluation of submissions, fostering fairness and transparency in the allocation of funds.

In conclusion, the IFIT program symbolizes a robust opportunity for the forest sector to innovate and lead by incorporating sustainability into its core operations. By facilitating advanced research and development projects, the program not only fuels market growth but also reinforces Canada's global standing as a vanguard of eco-friendly industrial practices. Business leaders and organizations vested in the forest industry are thus encouraged to capitalize on IFIT's offerings to drive significant transformations that yield long-term benefits for both the economy and the environment.