Forest Biomass Program
by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Also known as: FBP
Ontario's Forest Biomass Program funds projects that expand forest biomass use across four streams: Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships (up to 80% / $250K), Exploring Biomass Pathways feasibility work (50-80% / $100K-$130K), Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing (up to 50% / $5M, TRL 5+), and Modernization of existing mills (up to 35% / $10M). Businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profits are eligible. Next intake deadline: October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST, apply via forestbiomass@ontario.ca.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $10,000,000 By stream: Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships (IBP) up to 80% of eligible costs to $250,000; Exploring Biomass Pathways (EBP) 50-80% (varies by partners) to $100,000-$130,000; Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing (IBM) up to 50% to $5,000,000; Modernization (MOD) up to 35% to $10,000,000 per project
Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.
ontario.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
up to 80% of total eligible project costs ... $250,000 per project ... up to 50% of total eligible project costs ... $5 million per project ... up to 35% of total eligible project costs ... $10 million per project
- Instrument
- Grant (non-repayable)
- Status
- Closing soon closes Oct 15, 2026 (14 days left)
- Your share
- Total stacked government funding caps by stream: IBP up to 100% of eligible costs; EBP 70-100% depending on partner involvement; IBM and MOD capped at 75% total government funding and cannot stack with other provincial programs, applicant covers the remainder (at least 50% of costs on IBM and 65% on MOD from the province's own contribution limits).
ontario.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- Who qualifies
- Businesses Municipalities and local boards Indigenous organizations and communities Nonprofits and charities
- businesses
- municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Indigenous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
- not-for-profit organizations
- Ontario-based project that expands the use of forest biomass or enhances the forest biomass supply chain
- IBM stream requires minimum Technology Readiness Level 5 (Demonstration)
- MOD stream is for existing forest product facilities scaling up woody biomass use
ontario.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- 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.
When can you apply?
Remaining published intake deadline: October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST (April 15, 2026 deadline has passed)
| Cycle | Opens | Closes | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 deadline Deadline located automatically on the funder's page. Confirm with the funder before planning around it. |
- | Oct 15, 2026 | Closing soon | ontario.ca · Unconfirmed as of Aug 25, 2026; confirm with funder · Auto-checked against official source |
How do you apply?
- Review the stream-specific guidelines (IBP, EBP, IBM, MOD)
- Prepare the application for your stream
- Submit to forestbiomass@ontario.ca by an intake deadline
ontario.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Can you combine this with other funding?
- NOHFC Invest North, Investment: Grow, IBM and MOD stream projects cannot stack with other provincial programs (NOHFC included) and total government funding is capped at 75% of eligible costs; IBP allows stacking to 100% and EBP to 70-100% depending on partners.
- Investments in Forest Industry Transformation, Federal funding such as IFIT can be combined within the stream's total-government-funding cap (75% for IBM/MOD, higher for IBP/EBP), confirm the combination with the program office before applying.
Common questions
When is the next Forest Biomass Program deadline?
October 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST is the remaining published intake deadline. Applications go to forestbiomass@ontario.ca.
Which stream fits a sawmill adding biomass capacity?
The Modernization (MOD) stream, it helps existing forest product facilities scale up woody biomass use, covering up to 35% of eligible costs to a maximum $10 million per project.
Can Indigenous communities get higher cost coverage?
Yes. The Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships stream covers up to 80% of eligible costs to $250,000, for studies, planning, capacity development and facility construction, and allows stacking with other government funding to 100% of costs.
Can I combine this with NOHFC funding?
Not on the IBM or Modernization streams, those cannot stack with other provincial programs and cap total government funding at 75%. The IBP and EBP streams allow more stacking (up to 100% and 70-100% respectively).
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.
-
Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program
Intake closed same funder (MNRF); both for small business, expansion; forestry — Up to $3,000,000
-
Indigenous Forestry Initiative
Next intake not announced both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and nonprofits & charities; forestry — Up to $45,000
-
Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Next intake not announced both for municipalities & local services boards and nonprofits & charities; capital — $150,000 – $500,000,000
-
Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant
Next intake not announced both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and municipalities & local services boards; capital — Up to $60,000
Notes on this record
Launched May 2023 under Ontario's Forest Biomass Action Plan; over $17M committed to 41 projects since launch, with a further $60M investment announced (reported, industry press, not yet reflected on the program page). Delivered by MNRF (natural resources ministry).
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: