Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario — Pivot projects

The Southern Ontario RTRI pivot project stream supports tariff-affected businesses in improving productivity, diversifying markets and strengthening supply chains. Business projects with local or regional benefits may receive non-repayable contributions up to $1 million covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Larger transformative business projects may receive interest-free repayable contributions over $1 million covering up to 75% of eligible costs. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.

• Externally prepared financial statements for the last two fiscal years, preferably audited or reviewed, including the balance sheet, income statement, cash-flow statement and notes.
• Most recent interim financial statements; these may be prepared internally.
• Incorporation documents and information about ownership, management and the project team.
• Biographies of key management and project team members and a detailed project schedule.
• Evidence of tariff impacts, a project budget, financing sources and measurable results.
• Where relevant, a business plan, letters of support and not-for-profit financial projections, organizational chart and work plan.

• Degree to which the company or sector is impacted by tariffs
• Degree to which the project supports new or expanded initiatives and helps boost productivity, catalyze growth, or diversify markets
• Expected results of the project
• Quality of the project plan and budget, including project readiness, ability to repay, and managerial, technical, operational, and financial capacity
• Degree of risk and mitigation measures, quality of Intellectual Property strategies for IP-intensive projects, and the breadth, representation, and diversity of projects considered for funding

• Gather the mandatory and supporting documents for your application.
• Download the appropriate Application for Funding to your computer and save it.
• Open the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 or later, not in a web browser.
• Review the application guide and complete the application form.
• Use the Add Attachments button to include all necessary attachments.
• Ensure the submitter is authorized to bind the applicant, then submit the application and keep the confirmation message for your records.

• You will receive an email acknowledging the time and date of your application.
• Any activities and related costs incurred before a formal decision is made are at the applicant’s own risk.
• If approved, you must confirm all matching funding sources and sign a contribution agreement within 30 calendar days of being notified.
• Funding is reimbursed based on approved costs incurred and claimed throughout the project’s duration.
• If approved, FedDev Ontario may request additional documentation for the contribution agreement, including insurance coverage, conflict of interest, financial management, project expenditures, performance measurement and reporting, and recipients must submit project performance reports and statements.

• FedDev Ontario may consult external experts during the assessment process and share applicant information with them.
• Any confidential or proprietary information should be clearly marked as such.
• Information submitted is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
• FedDev Ontario may modify these guidelines at any time without notice and may waive certain requirements on an exceptional basis.