Indigenous Forestry Initiative
Also known as: IFI
NRCan's Indigenous Forestry Initiative funds Indigenous-led forest-sector projects. The grant stream is open now (intake 2026-02-25 to 2028-09-01): grants up to $45,000 per project for Indigenous communities and entities holding Section 35 collective rights, forest planning, capacity building, Indigenous Knowledge protection, events and consultations. The larger contribution stream is currently closed. The program was renewed with $16.9M for 2026-2029; awards are competitive against a limited budget.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $45,000 Grant stream, per project; the larger contribution stream is currently closed
Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Grants of up to $45,000 per project are available
- Instrument
- Grant (non-repayable)
- Status
- Next intake not announced watch this page or subscribe to the calendar
- Who qualifies
- Indigenous organizations and communities
- indigenous-community
- indigenous-rights-holding-entity
- National program, all Northern Ontario districts eligible
- Indigenous communities and other entities who hold collective Indigenous and Treaty rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Indigenous communities and other entities who hold collective Indigenous and Treaty rights under Section 35 of the Constitution of Canada (1982)
- 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 District · District Municipality of Muskoka
11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.
How do you apply?
- Confirm the grant intake is open (current window: 2026-02-25 to 2028-09-01)
- Submit proposal (work plan, budget, team capacity)
- Competitive merit-based assessment against the program's limited budget
natural-resources.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Start date: 2026-02-25 ... End date: 2028-09-01
Common questions
What does the IFI grant stream fund?
Gathering, developing and protecting Indigenous Knowledge; capacity for engagement with government and industry; hiring subject matter experts; land use and sustainable forest management planning; and events, workshops, and community consultations on forest sector issues, up to $45,000 per project.
Is the contribution stream open?
No, as of 2026-08-17 the contribution funding stream is closed; only the grant stream (up to $45,000) is accepting applications, until 2028-09-01.
Who can apply?
Indigenous communities and other entities holding collective Indigenous and Treaty rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups. Individual businesses should look at IFI-delivered programs like NADF or Waubetek instead.
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.
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Investments in Forest Industry Transformation
Next intake not announced same funder (NRCan); forestry, federal — Up to $10,000,000
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Creating, Knowing and Sharing
Open both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and nonprofits & charities; federal — Up to $100,000
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Forest Biomass Program
Closing soon both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and nonprofits & charities; forestry — Up to $10,000,000
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Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital
Open, continuous intake both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses; federal — Up to $250,000
Notes on this record
Renewed August 5, 2025 with $16.9M for 2026-2029 ($13M to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities). Since 2017: 241 projects, $48M invested. Program contact: ifi-ifa@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: