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Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) - Contribution Stream New!

Program Category: Clean Energy, Environment
Program Sub-Category: Renewable Energy, Mapping, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Development, Monitoring
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Status: Open

Funder

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Funder Organization Type

  • Federal Government

The objective of the Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) is to advance reconciliation in the forest sector, by supporting Indigenous-identified priorities to accelerate Indigenous awareness, influence, inclusion, and leadership in the Sector. The IFI provides financial support to Indigenous-inclusion and Indigenous-led activities in the forest sector, in areas of focus including:

  • Gathering, developing, use, and protection of Indigenous knowledge and science;
  • Indigenous leadership and participation in forest stewardship; and
  • The identification, consideration, and pursuit of economic development opportunities.

Eligible Community

  • Indigenous communities and governments such as:

     

    • Band and tribal councils

    • Governments of self-governing First Nations

       

  • Local governments of Inuit communities
  • Métis organizations
  • National and regional Indigenous organizations

Required Community Contribution

No community contribution required

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Yes

The maximum level (stacking limit) of Total Government Assistance (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible expenditures) will not exceed 100% of eligible project costs.

Professional Input Required

No

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligible project activities:

  • Studies, plans, evaluations, assessments or related activities to identify or developeconomic or business opportunities;
  • Identification of opportunities, application and development of agreements or licenses;
  • Strategic, business, human resources, marketing and financial planning or communityplanning, including development or expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships orbusinesses;
  • Capacity development and training;
  • Development of tools, technology, products, services and systems;
  • Engineering design, environmental planning and permitting or other project designactivities for forest resource development;
  • Site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up andexpansion operations;
  • Other types of activity – provide details on how these activities support increased Indigenous participation and economic development in the forest sector;
  • Capital funding - capital requests will require a business plan and other relevant supportingdocuments (capital includes purchase of equipment and machinery, business start-up orexpansion costs (including supplies, fuel and fuel storage), site development infrastructuredirectly related to the project and costs to acquire ownership in new or existing businessesor to license or acquire intellectual property).

Other Eligible Applicants

Indigenous-owned Businesses
Businesses / For-profit
Indigenous Organizations
Academic Institutions

  • Indigenous (50% or greater ownership by Indigenous peoples) for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, businesses, joint ventures
  • Non-Indigenous not-for-profit entities working with an Indigenous partner
  • Provincial, territorial, municipal, and regional governments working with an Indigenous partner organization
  • Academic institutions and research associations working with an Indigenous partner organization

Type of Funding

  • Non-repayable Contribution

Range of Funding Available per Project

  • Under $100 000
  • From $100 000 to $1 000 000
  • Over $1 000 000

Description of Funding

  • Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) contribution funding is available to support Indigenous-led activities related to Indigenous Knowledge and science, stewardship and economic development in the forest sector. The IFI makes non-repayable contributions targeting investments that accrue broader benefits to communities, including cultural, social, environmental and economic impacts.
  • The IFI is capable of funding 100% of projects (or allows 100% stacking in total government assistance, including federal, provincial, regional, and municipal sources), but encourages community and partner investments in Indigenous-led projects. Please be aware that the IFI has a limited budget. While NRCan may consider large contributions, efforts will be undertaken to ensure a range of projects (in size and scope of activities) can be supported.
  • Applicants seeking capital funding are encouraged to indicate planned sources (including other funding programs, providers of debt and equity or capital partners) for the balance of capital expenditure, to ensure shared risk mitigation. If requesting more than $100,000 in capital funding, NRCan should not be the source of more than 25% of your total capital costs.
  • The Program can fund both capacity projects (such as planning), and capital investments.
  • The IFI was renewed in 2026 in the amount of $13 million over three years.

Percentage of Project Funded

  • IFI funds up to 100% of capacity development projects.
  • IFI funds up to 25% of capital projects.

Eligible Costs

Engineering
Design
Planning
Capital Costs
Community Engagement
Equipment/Material Purchase
Capacity Building for the Community
Training

Eligible expenditures include costs that support your project:

  1. Honoraria (where the individual Eligible Recipient is not already in receipt of salary or other form of stipend to attend the event(s)), ceremonial costs, and hospitality costs (including cultural gifts and prizes) for community engagement events and project meetings;
  2. Costs of salaries, wages and benefits, excluding post-employment benefits such as severance;
  3. Costs for training and skills development, including wages, stipends, or other forms of financial transfers to non-salaried trainees and students, and fees paid to trainers and training organizations (including academic tuition) and related costs (including living expenses, child care, and other costs while in training and in transit to training);
  4. Professional, legal and technical services; such as, but not limited to research, consulting, legal advice, engineering, trades, and laboratory services;
  5. Travel costs, including accommodation, meals, and allowances (based on National Joint Council rates);
  6. Communications and media services; such as, but not limited to communications development, translation, editing, publication and printing;
  7. Rental of facilities, transportation, and equipment;
  8. Laboratory, scientific, field, and personal safety equipment and supplies;
  9. Capital costs, including equipment and machinery, business start-up or expansion costs (including supplies, fuel and fuel storage), site development infrastructure directly related to the project and costs to acquire business assets or to license or acquire intellectual property;
  10. Overhead costs, provided that they are directly related to the conduct of the project and can be attributed to it, up to 15% of NRCan’s total contribution; and
  11. GST/PST/HST, net of any tax rebate to which the Eligible Recipient is entitled.

Reporting Requirements

Progress reports and final reports

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

6 months for applications received to the IFI.

Examples of IFI funded activities include:Preparing plans/assessments that cultivate economic opportunities in forestry; Training and skills development to support forestry projects; Planning for businesses, including startup or expansion; Developing forestry related tools, technology, products, and services; launching or expanding forest sector businesses.

 

IFI Funded Projects