Rural Innovation Fund (RIF)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) Funds up to 10000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF)?

Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) is funded by Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre

Q: Who is eligible for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program?

To be eligible for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program, you must: • Business must be located in Northwestern Ontario • Community population must be less than 3,000 people

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF)?

You can contact Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre by email at chathura@nwoinnovation.ca or by phone at 1-807-768-6682.

Q: Where is the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) available?

The Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program.

Last Update: July 25, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports rural Northwestern Ontario communities adopting innovative solutions

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

The Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) provides up to $10,000 to businesses, not-for-profits, and communities in Northwestern Ontario (with populations under 3,000) to implement innovative solutions addressing local gaps. Eligible activities include projects related to housing, food security, energy sustainability, information technology, industry and entrepreneurial capacity, and feasibility studies.

Financing terms and conditions

Provides funding of up to $10,000 to address community-identified gaps.

Activities funded

Projects addressing gaps in community housing.
Initiatives to enhance food security within the community.
Development of energy sustainability solutions.
Implementation of information technology improvements.
Activities aimed at increasing industry or entrepreneurial capacity, including feasibility studies.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 8,300

Upgrading point-of-sale systems for rural independent grocery store

$ 9,200

Training local entrepreneurs with digital marketing skills workshops

$ 7,000

Assessing viability of an on-site composting program for organics

$ 9,300

Launching a feasibility study for expanded seniors’ housing units

$ 9,700

Piloting a community greenhouse to boost year-round food security

$ 9,900

Installing solar panels at a rural fire hall for energy savings

Eligibility

The applicant must be a business, not-for-profit, or community based in Northwestern Ontario.
The applicant must be located in a community with a population of less than 3,000 people.
The project must aim to address identified gaps within the community, such as housing, food security, energy sustainability, information technology, industry capacity, entrepreneurial capacity, or may include feasibility studies.

Who is eligible?

Businesses located in rural and Indigenous communities in Northwestern Ontario (population less than 3,000)
Not-for-profit organizations based in eligible communities
Community organizations from eligible small, rural, and remote communities
Entrepreneurs operating within the specified regions

Eligible expenses

Expenses related to addressing housing gaps.
Costs associated with improving food security.
Expenditures for enhancing energy sustainability.
Information technology-related expenses.
Industry capacity development costs.
Entrepreneurial capacity building expenses.
Costs for conducting feasibility studies.

Eligible geographic areas

Communities in Northwestern Ontario with a population of less than 3,000 people.

How to apply

Verify applicant eligibility

Confirm you are a business, not-for-profit, community, or entrepreneur in Northwestern Ontario
Ensure your community has fewer than 3,000 residents

Identify community gap

Identify a specific gap in your community, such as housing, food security, energy sustainability, information technology, industry capacity, or entrepreneurial capacity
Prepare documentation outlining the need

Develop project proposal

Outline your proposed innovative approach to address the identified gap
Detail eligible activities, such as feasibility studies or project planning

Assemble documentation

Gather all required supporting documents as needed by the fund
Ensure all sections of the application are complete

Submit application

Submit your application and required documents to the Rural Innovation Fund contact
Contact the program advisor for submission details if needed

Additional information

This program is no longer accepting applications.

Contacts

chathura@nwoinnovation.ca

1-807-768-6682

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.