An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Partly repayable

INVEST North, Innovation: Industrial Research Chair Program

by Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

Also known as: Innovation – Industrial Research Chair Program · NOHFC IRC Program

NOHFC's Industrial Research Chair program funds Northern Ontario universities, colleges, and not-for-profit research institutions to establish research chairs: 50% of eligible costs up to $1 million as a conditional contribution, for chairs up to five years in duration. A financially contributing, actively involved private-sector partner is mandatory, and the research must target business problem-solving or commercialization. Funding is Board-determined and limited.

Amount
Up to $1,000,000 Up to $1 million as a conditional contribution for the duration of the project; IRCs eligible for funding up to five years. Funding for each project is determined by the NOHFC Board of Directors; limited funding is available. This award range, $1,000,000, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

$1 million as a conditional contribution for the duration of the project ... 50% of eligible costs ... IRCs are eligible for funding up to five years in duration

Instrument
Conditional contribution
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share
NOHFC covers up to 50% of eligible costs; private-sector partners must contribute financially and be actively involved in the research.

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Who qualifies
Colleges, universities and research institutions
  • Northern Ontario universities
  • Northern Ontario colleges
  • research institutions (not-for-profit organizations whose primary activity is scientific research)
  • Must involve a financially contributing, actively involved private-sector partner
  • Project must fit the institution's strategic research plan and focus on business problem solving and/or commercialization

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Northern Ontario universities, colleges, and research institutions (defined as a not-for-profit organization whose primary activity is scientific research...)

Where
Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: eligibleCochrane District: eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): eligibleKenora District: eligibleManitoulin District: eligibleNipissing District: eligibleParry Sound District: eligibleRainy River District: eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): eligibleThunder Bay District: eligibleTimiskaming District: eligible

11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Nonprofits & charities

Common questions

Who can apply for an Industrial Research Chair?

Northern Ontario universities, colleges, and research institutions, defined as not-for-profit organizations whose primary activity is scientific research. Businesses cannot apply directly but must participate as partners.

What does the funding cover?

Chair holder salary and mandatory benefits, laboratory construction or renovation, research equipment (acquisition, operation, maintenance), research materials, and publishing costs, 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $1 million over up to five years.

What costs are excluded?

Compensation for other research team members, indirect operating/administrative costs, professional/technical service fees, travel and meeting costs, and office equipment or furnishings.

Is a private-sector partner required?

Yes, IRCs must involve private-sector partnerships where the partner contributes financially and is actively involved in the research.

Other streams of INVEST North Program

Funders publish these as one program with several streams. The terms differ by stream.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Notes on this record

Aimed at institutions rather than businesses, businesses seeking direct innovation funding should see nohfc-innovation-stream.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

myportal.nohfc.ca