Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative
The Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI) provides funding to organizations (i.e. “retrofit accelerators”) and other projects that facilitate the development of deep retrofits in commercial, institutional, and mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings in Canada.
Background
In March 2022, the Government of Canada released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) – the first under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. This road map outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
In order to meet its climate targets, the Government of Canada must increase the depth and rate of building retrofits. Retrofits, especially deep retrofits, are complex projects with many moving parts – from project pre-development to financing and project implementation – and involve many players. This complexity generates barriers to the development of deep retrofit projects across Canada.
The objectives of the program are to:
- build capacity for, and address barriers to, deep retrofit project development and implementation;
- facilitate the development of deep retrofit projects in Canada;
- contribute to transforming the buildings sector in support of the Government of Canada’s climate goals.
Funding opportunities
The program is divided into two different application intakes:
Status: Closed
First application intake: support for deep retrofit accelerator organizations
Through this call for applications, which is now closed, the Government of Canada provided financial support for organizations (i.e. “retrofit accelerators”) in their work to convene and coordinate retrofit actors, support building owners through the deep retrofit process, and drive market transformation in a given region or market segment.
For more information about the funding recipients, visit the Retrofit Hub.
Status: Accepting applications until February 12, 2025
Second application intake: support for deep retrofit capacity building activities
Through this call for applications, the Government of Canada seeks to fund capacity building projects that reduce barriers to deep retrofits and support deep retrofit market transformation. The total amount of funding available for this intake is approximately $8 million over two years (2025/26 to 2026/27).
The projects must focus on at least one of the following priorities:
- Developing tools, resources, and/or other capacity building activities to support the Canadian financial sector in efforts to finance deep retrofit projects;
- Developing tools, resources, and/or other capacity building activities to support workforce development and capacity related to deep retrofits;
- Developing tools, resources, and/or other capacity building activities to support the development of deep retrofit business cases (not limited to a specific project or building owner/manager).
We strongly encourage each applicant to carefully review the application guide before submitting an application.
Read the application guide for the second application intake.
Contact us
If you have questions or comments about the program, or to request an application package, email drai-iarm@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
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