Closed
Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)
Supports Indigenous fisheries business development and capacity building
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : July 31, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative – Capacity Building (Business Development) provides funding to Indigenous groups and communities to develop and implement business development plans for their communal fishing enterprises. Eligible activities include hiring skilled staff, business development support, and technical or governance assistance, with the program focused on building self-sustaining, Indigenous-owned fisheries and aquaculture operations; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : July 31, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and implementation of Business Development Plans for Indigenous-owned commercial fishing enterprises.
- Building organizational and management capacity within fisheries and aquaculture businesses.
- Support for business governance, management practices, and enterprise risk management in fisheries operations.
- Hiring of dedicated personnel to support the business operations of communal fishing enterprises.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-owned communal commercial fishing enterprises
- Indigenous-owned aquaculture operations
Who is not eligible
- Indigenous groups or communities that are eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI).
- Indigenous groups or communities that are eligible for the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, wages, and related costs for dedicated business operations staff (e.g., Fisheries Director, Fisheries Coordinator, Assistant Fisheries Coordinator, Bookkeeper, or Fisheries Management System (FMS) Coordinator).
- Communications expenses related to business development activities.
- Professional services such as business and technical assistance, governance design, management practices consultation, and accounting support.
- Travel costs necessary for the implementation of business development plans.
- Administrative expenses directly related to capacity building and business development activities.
Eligible geographic areas
- All areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the fishery, excluding those eligible for the Atlantic or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives (AICFI or PICFI).
Selection criteria
- Alignment of proposed activities with the Community Fisheries Enterprise (CFE) Business Development Plan.
- Clarity and completeness of the workplan, including deliverables and action plan.
- Detailed and transparent budget information supporting the funding request.
- Support and verification from the Business Development Team (BDT) confirming collaboration and eligibility.
- Letter of support from an authorized representative (e.g., Leader, Chief, Executive Director, President, Mayor, or Band Council Resolution).
How to apply
- Step 1: Engage with Business Development Team (BDT)
- Contact the NICFI Program Authority to be directed to your BDT member.
- Collaborate with your BDT member to develop your Business Development Plan and workplan, ensuring all activities align with the objectives of your communal commercial fishing enterprise (CFE).
- Step 2: Prepare the Application
- Complete the NICFI Capacity Building (Business Development) Application Form.
- Work with the BDT to build a comprehensive workplan, including descriptions of activities, implementation plan, action plan, and detailed budget.
- Obtain a letter of support from your authorized representative (e.g., Leader, Chief, Executive Director, President, Mayor, or Council).
- Step 3: Submit Application Documents
- Submit your completed application form, workplan, detailed budget, and letter of support to the NICFI Program Authority at DFO.NICFI-IPCIN.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by mail to the listed address.
- Step 4: Application Review and Verification
- The Business Development Team Leader confirms their support and verifies alignment with your Business Development Plan.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reviews the application for completeness and eligibility.
- Step 5: Agreement and Ratification
- If approved, a contribution agreement is developed for ratification by the applicant’s authorized representative and DFO.
Additional information
- All information and documentation provided within the application will be treated confidentially by the program authority and involved partners even after project approval.
- Business Development Team (BDT) services are offered at no cost to applicants for assistance throughout the application process.
- Applications can be submitted ahead of the fiscal year to facilitate the timely launch of approved projects.
- A letter of support from an authorized organization representative is mandatory when submitting the application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) Program
What is the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
The Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative – Capacity Building (Business Development) provides funding to Indigenous groups and communities to develop and implement business development plans for their communal fishing enterprises. Eligible activities include hiring skilled staff, business development support, and technical or governance assistance, with the program focused on building self-sustaining, Indigenous-owned fisheries and aquaculture operations; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
Who is eligible for the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program?
To be eligible for the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program, you must:
Indigenous groups or communities not eligible for Atlantic or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives
Located in areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the fishery
Application must align with a CFE Business Development Plan
What expenses are eligible under Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
Development and implementation of Business Development Plans for Indigenous-owned commercial fishing enterprises.
Building organizational and management capacity within fisheries and aquaculture businesses.
Support for business governance, management practices, and enterprise risk management in fisheries operations.
Hiring of dedicated personnel to support the business operations of communal fishing enterprises.
Who can I contact for more information about the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
You can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by email at DFO.NICFI-IPCIN.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Where is the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) available?
The Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program is available across Canada.
Is the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) is funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)