Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) - Harvester Training

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous-owned communal commercial fishing enterprises
• Indigenous aquaculture operations
• Indigenous groups and communities interested in commercial fisheries and aquaculture

Who is not eligible

• Companies and organizations eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI).
• Companies and organizations eligible for the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).

Eligible expenses

• Tuition costs for approved fisheries and aquaculture training courses.
• Training service provider costs related to instruction and coordination.
• Teaching materials required for the training.
• Transport Canada exam fees and related expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Indigenous groups and communities in areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the fishery, excluding those eligible for the Atlantic or Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives.

• Alignment of the proposed training activities with the CFE’s training plan and overall goal of capacity building and sustainability in commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations.
• Completeness and clarity of the application, including all required documentation (training plan, supporting letter, detailed budget, etc.).
• Assessment and approval of the proposed training provider and training methodology by the Training Advisor to ensure adherence to industry standards and value for money.
• Demonstration that other sources of funding have been sought prior to applying for NICFI Indigenous Harvester Training support.

• Step 1: Develop Training Plan with Training Advisor
  • Contact the NICFI Program Authority to be connected with a Training Advisor.
  • Work collaboratively with the Training Advisor to develop or update your community fisheries or aquaculture training plan, aligned with your Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) objectives.
• Step 2: Complete Application Form
  • Download and complete the NICFI Indigenous Harvester Training Application Form.
  • Ensure the application form is filled accurately with all required project details and financial information.
• Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documentation
  • Attach the completed fisheries training plan to the application.
  • Obtain and attach a supporting letter signed by your community’s authorized representative (e.g., Chief, Executive Director, President, or Mayor).
  • If applying for at-sea mentoring funding, ensure evidence of the required 25% cash contribution is included.
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Send the completed application package by mail or email to the NICFI Program Authority at: Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Directorate, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 300 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R5 or DFO.NICFI-IPCIN.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
• Step 5: Application Review and Follow-up
  • The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reviews the proposal and may collaborate with your community or Training Advisor to clarify aspects of the proposed training.
• Step 6: Contribution Agreement
  • If the proposal is approved, DFO drafts a Contribution Agreement for ratification by both the applicant’s authorized representative and DFO.
  • Note that only expenses incurred after the Contribution Agreement is signed are eligible for reimbursement.

• A Training Advisor is available to assist with developing or updating fisheries and aquaculture training plans at no cost to the applicant.
• The list of eligible training courses is clearly defined and subject to approval by the Training Advisor.
• All applicant information and documentation are treated with strict confidentiality by the program authority, even after project approval.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek other funding sources before applying to the program.