Investments in Forest Industry Transformation
Also known as: IFIT · IFIT Program
IFIT is NRCan's flagship fund for transforming forest sector facilities, first-in-kind projects in bioproducts, biochemicals, pulp and paper modernization, next-gen biofuels, mass timber, and decarbonization. Reported at up to $10 million per project covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Renewed in 2026 as part of a $500-million federal forest sector package, with new emphasis on housing and mass timber. The February 2026 call closed April 27, 2026; join NRCan's IFIT mailing list for the next window.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $10,000,000
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- Instrument
- Conditional contribution
- Status
- Next intake not announced watch this page or subscribe to the calendar
- Who qualifies
- For profit forest sector companies, forest sector firms adopting transformational technologies
- Canada-wide federal program, all Northern Ontario districts eligible
- Project categories: advanced wood-based building solutions, biomaterials and biochemicals, pulp and paper modernization, next-generation biofuels, advanced decarbonization
- 2026 renewal adds forest bioproducts, plastics-substituting pulp and paper products, mass timber/prefabrication for housing
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Repayment structure
Historically delivered as contributions for first-in-kind capital projects; repayability terms for the 2026 renewal were not published on the pages verified
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Uncertain: confirm with funder
Application process
- Join the IFIT mailing list (ifit-itif@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca), call windows are announced there
- Submit Expression of Interest during an open call for proposals
- Invited full project proposal
- Contribution agreement with NRCan
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending
Common questions
Can I apply to IFIT right now?
Not as of August 17, 2026, the official page lists the Capital Investment Project Stream as closed, and the February 2026 national call is reported to have closed April 27, 2026. IFIT runs periodic calls; join the mailing list (ifit-itif@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca) to hear when the next window opens.
How much does IFIT contribute?
Secondary sources consistently report up to $10 million per project at up to 50% of eligible costs (reported, the official page did not publish amounts when we verified; confirm in the next call's applicant guide).
What changed with the 2026 renewal?
IFIT was renewed inside a $500-million federal package (announced February 25, 2026) alongside GCWood, the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, and GloFor. It now explicitly funds forest bioproducts, plastics-substituting pulp and paper products, improved fibre usage, and scaling mass timber and prefabrication for housing construction.
Is a Northern Ontario mill eligible?
Yes, IFIT is Canada-wide and targets existing forest sector firms adopting transformational technologies or diversifying product streams, which fits Northern Ontario pulp, paper, and sawmill operations. Projects historically needed to be first-in-kind or early-adoption technology, not routine capital replacement.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: