Rural Innovation Fund (RIF)
Last Update: July 25, 2025
ON, Canada
Supports rural Northwestern Ontario communities adopting innovative solutions
Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $10,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
Status
Closed
Overview of the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program
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.
Eligible projects & activities
- 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 criteria of the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program
- 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 to the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) program
1
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
2
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
3
Develop project proposal
- Outline your proposed innovative approach to address the identified gap
- Detail eligible activities, such as feasibility studies or project planning
4
Assemble documentation
- Gather all required supporting documents as needed by the fund
- Ensure all sections of the application are complete
5
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.
Contact Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
chathura@nwoinnovation.ca
1-807-768-6682
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