Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario

Who is eligible?

• For-profit businesses located and operating in southern Ontario
• Indigenous businesses (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) in southern Ontario
• Businesses in the steel industry (production, processing, fabrication of steel and iron products)
• Businesses in the automotive industry (including supply chain companies related to vehicles, metals, plastics, rubber, and electronics)
• Other businesses in sectors directly impacted by U.S. and China tariffs or related trade disruptions

Who is not eligible

• Businesses operating without a physical address in southern Ontario (such as those based in P.O. boxes, co-working spaces, or home-based operations).
• Applicants currently with an active project or application to another FedDev Ontario program; only one application at a time is permitted.
• Businesses operating as non-profit organizations (only for-profit businesses are eligible).
• Companies with fewer than 5 full-time equivalent employees in southern Ontario or more than 500 full-time equivalent employees overall.

Eligible expenses

• Purchase and installation of equipment, machinery, or software directly related to the project.
• Renovation, site, or leasehold improvements directly connected to installing specialized project assets (excluding land or building purchases).
• Salaries and benefits for incremental employees working specifically on the project (labour costs must be incurred in Canada).
• Fees paid to professional and technical personnel, consultants, engineers, or contractors directly related to project activities (excluding costs for application preparation).
• Costs for marketing and outreach activities relevant to the project, such as promoting project activities and demonstration of products, processes, or services (excluding hospitality and entertainment).
• Training sessions, course materials, external trainers, and other costs related to skills development specific to the project.
• Direct materials used for the completion of project activities, including configuring and testing production systems, prototypes, and product testing (excluding raw materials for regular operations or inventory).

Eligible geographic areas

• Southern Ontario

• Degree to which the company and/or sector is impacted by tariffs.
• Extent to which the project supports new or expanded initiatives and helps boost productivity, catalyze growth, and/or diversify markets.
• Clarity and quality of the project plan and budget, including project readiness and applicant’s managerial, technical, operational, and financial capacity.
• Expected results of the project and potential economic benefits.
• Degree of risk associated with the project and effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.

• Step 1: Complete the Self-Screening Tool
  • Access and complete the online self-screening tool to determine program eligibility before starting your application.
• Step 2: Gather Mandatory and Supporting Documents
  • Collect mandatory documents: last 2 years of annual financial statements (prepared externally), most recent interim financial statement, financial projections for next 3–5 years, articles of incorporation/amendments, biographies of key management and technical staff, company structure diagram, work plan or project schedule, and the supplementary application form.
  • Prepare additional documents if relevant: IP strategy (for IP-intensive projects), technical documentation for your technology, and evidence of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, if applicable.
• Step 3: Download Application Forms
  • Download the Application for Funding (For-Profit Applicants) and RTRI Supplemental Form to your computer.
  • Ensure you have the correct form types for business applicants.
• Step 4: Complete the Application Forms
  • Open the forms using Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 10 or later).
  • Follow the Application Guide for detailed instructions on filling out each section of the funding application.
  • Complete all sections carefully, addressing all required questions.
• Step 5: Attach Supplementary Documents
  • Use the “Add Attachments” feature in the application form to upload all required supporting documents.
• Step 6: Submit the Application
  • Ensure the person submitting the application is authorized to legally bind the company.
  • Click the “Submit” button to send the completed application and attachments to FedDev Ontario.
  • Retain a copy of the application and confirmation message for your records.
• Step 7: Post-Submission
  • Receive an email notification confirming the time and date of your application submission.
  • If you do not receive confirmation, contact FedDev Ontario at their provided phone number.
• Step 8: Additional Documentation (if approved)
  • Should your project be approved, be prepared to provide further documentation for contribution agreement requirements, such as insurance, conflict of interest statement, and detailed performance and financial information.

• Applicants are required to submit externally prepared financial statements for the previous two fiscal years, as well as interim statements for the most recent fiscal year.
• Certification confirming the authority of the signatory and compliance with Canadian laws is mandatory as part of the application process.
• If funding is approved, recipient names, awarded amounts, and project descriptions will be made publicly available.
• Applicants should be aware that receiving financial assistance may have tax implications and are encouraged to seek professional advice on this matter.