Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Aquaculture Development

• Completed NICFI Aquaculture Development Application Form.
• Financial statements for the last three years.
• Resumés of people involved in project implementation.
• Regulatory approval documents, such as permits and licences.
• Letter of support from an authorized representative.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous groups and communities not eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI)
• Indigenous-owned communal commercial fishing enterprises
• Organizations providing support services related to Indigenous aquaculture development

Who is not eligible

• Organizations eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).
• Companies that are not Indigenous groups, Indigenous communities, or organizations providing related support services.
• Applicants seeking funding for working capital projects or scientific studies.

Eligible expenses

• Expansion or upgrades to existing aquaculture facilities (marine finfish, shellfish, or freshwater/land-based) where expansions or upgrades have already been approved under the aquaculture licence.
• Purchase of equipment, gear, and infrastructure for new or expanded aquaculture operations with required approvals.
• Acquisition of an existing aquaculture operation.
• Development of business plans, including related technical and management advisory costs.
• One-time start-up costs such as administrative expenses, salaries and wages for project management or technical advice, and training.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Working capital projects covering ongoing operating expenses.
• Scientific studies.

Eligible geographic areas

• All areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the fishery, without geographic restriction for eligible Indigenous groups not eligible for AICFI or PICFI.

• Alignment of the project with the community's Business Development Plan.
• Demonstrated potential for revenue and profit generation.
• Creation of employment opportunities, including for Indigenous personnel.
• Capacity-building and training provided to community members.
• Measures to ensure the project's long-term economic sustainability beyond NICFI funding.

• Applications are reviewed by a Third-Party Evaluator for technical, economic, and practical feasibility.
• The Application Review Board reviews the evaluation and makes recommendations on support, funding amount, and conditions.
• DFO makes the final funding decision and sends a Letter of Offer if approved.
• If the applicant accepts, a contribution agreement is prepared and must be ratified before work begins.
• Expenses incurred before the contribution agreement is ratified are at the applicant’s risk and are not guaranteed for reimbursement.

• All applications must include a minimum 10% cash contribution from the applicant toward total project costs.
• Applicants must include a letter of support from an authorized representative, such as a Chief, Executive Director, President, Mayor, or a Band Council Resolution (BCR).
• Confidentiality is maintained for all information provided in the application, including collaboration with the Business Development Team (BDT), even after project approval.
• Application packages require recent financial statements, résumés of key personnel, and regulatory approval documents as attachments.