Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Expansion and Diversification

• Applicants must provide a minimum 10% cash contribution toward the total project cost.
• Detailed budget information is required, outlining complete project costs and sources of financing.
• Multi-year contribution agreements may be available, covering project implementation phases from one to five years.

• The applicant must be an Indigenous group or community not eligible for the Atlantic or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives (AICFI or PICFI), in a region where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the fishery.
• The applicant must have an active Communal Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) Business Development Plan.
• The proposed project must align with and support the CFE’s Business Development Plan, focusing on commercial, local redistributive, or combined fisheries activities.
• The application must include a letter of support from an authorized representative (such as a Leader, Chief, Executive Director, President, Mayor, or Band Council Resolution).
• The applicant must meet a minimum 10% cash contribution toward the total project cost.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous-owned communal commercial fishing enterprises
• Indigenous-owned aquaculture operations
• Indigenous groups or communities managing redistributive or hybrid fisheries enterprises

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations that are eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI).
• Companies or organizations that are eligible for the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).
• Entities not recognized as Indigenous groups or communities.
• Businesses not involved in fisheries or aquaculture sectors managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Eligible expenses

• Upgrades or replacements of vessels.
• Acquisition of additional licences or quotas.
• Purchase of gear and equipment for fishing or fleet operations, including specialized equipment for redistributive fisheries.
• Development or improvement of on-shore facilities such as vessel compounds, gear storage, community freezers, and processing facilities.
• Expenditures related to fisheries-related retail, storage, distribution, and tourism activities.

Eligible geographic areas

• All areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the fishery, excluding those eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).

• Alignment of the project with the applicant’s Business Development Plan.
• Contribution to revenue and profit generation for the community fisheries enterprise.
• Potential for capacity building and employment creation, particularly for Indigenous staff.
• Demonstrated economic sustainability of the project beyond NICFI funding.
• Completeness and quality of the business case, including detailed budget, supporting documents, and estimates of total costs.

• Multi-year contribution agreements are permitted, with project funding potentially spanning one to five years.
• All application information and supporting documentation will be held in strict confidence by the reviewing authorities.
• The Business Development Team (BDT) provides advisory services to applicants at no cost to support project development and application preparation.
• Applications can be submitted at any time, but those received by November 30th are guaranteed review within the current fiscal year.