Open
- Start date: 2026-02-25
- End date: 2026-05-13
Funding description
Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) contribution funding is available to support Indigenous-led activities related to Indigenous Knowledge and science, stewardship and economic development in the forest sector. The IFI makes non-repayable contributions targeting investments that accrue broader benefits to communities, including cultural, social, environmental and economic impacts.
The IFI is capable of funding 100% of projects (or allows 100% stacking in total government assistance, including federal, provincial, regional, and municipal sources), but encourages community and partner investments in Indigenous-led projects. Please be aware that the IFI has a limited budget. While NRCan may consider large contributions, efforts will be undertaken to ensure a range of projects (in size and scope of activities) can be supported.
Applicants seeking capital funding are encouraged to indicate planned sources (including other funding programs, providers of debt and equity or capital partners) for the balance of capital expenditure, to ensure shared risk mitigation. If requesting more than $100,000 in capital funding, NRCan should not be the source of more than 25% of your total capital costs.
Eligibility
Eligible recipients
First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and entities are eligible for contribution funding. This includes:
- Indigenous communities and governments
- Tribal councils
- National and regional Indigenous organizations
- Indigenous organizations, non-profits, partnerships and businesses (50% or greater Indigenous ownership)
Non-Indigenous entities may be eligible when the Indigenous partner identifies a need for external capacity and formally supports the partnership, provided the entity is acting on behalf of one or more endorsing Indigenous partners, such as:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Academic and research associations
- Provincial, territorial, municipal and regional governments
Eligible projects
Below are examples of potential projects that are eligible for funding under the IFI’s contribution stream. It is possible for activities to span across years, in which case a multi-year proposal is encouraged of up to three years.
Engagement and consultation activities
- Engagement and consultation with government, industry and other forest sector stakeholders for the purposes of cultural awareness, exchange, relationship building, information sharing, impact assessments and accommodations, and for engagement and consultation with Indigenous groups potentially impacted by forest sector development
- Capacity development and support to study, engage in, negotiate and undertake other activities in consideration of the issuance of free, prior and informed consent to forest sector development and conservation proposals and related impactful projects, programs, and policies by any level of government, industry, Indigenous groups and others
- Participation in and hosting of events, conferences, workshops, etc., on forest sector development and the natural environment
Knowledge and science activities
- Developing, undertaking, and safeguarding the integrity of Indigenous Knowledge and science, data collections and related agreements and projects with government, academia, not-for-profit research associations and Indigenous individuals and entities
- Advocacy and storytelling, including the development and delivery (in person or remotely) of presentations, reports, videos or other media in one or more languages that convey the journey, experiences and outcomes for the eligible recipient in relation to the project and other matters of relevance to the eligible recipient related to forest sector and the natural environment
- Capacity development and training for Indigenous institutions (e.g. associations) to study, research, advocate, represent and provide services to Indigenous constituencies and members on forest resources development and the natural environment
Planning and decision-making activities
- Strategic collective and community planning and policy development for sustainable forest resource development and conservation
- Studies, plans, research, evaluations, analyses, assessments or related activities to identify issues, opportunities and partnerships in forest sector development and the natural environment
- Strategic project, business, feasibility, engineering, design, human resources, marketing, financial or other planning, due diligence and negotiations for identified opportunities and partnerships in forest sector development and the natural environment, including the preparation of funding applications (to other programs) and partnership agreements
Forest sector development, conservation and workforce diversification activities
- Development of, and training for human resources markets in the forest sector, including institutional, group and individual supports — including for accredited and non-accredited training mentorship and on-the-job training
- Capacity development and training to undertake operational planning, studies, surveys, research and physical work for the sustainable management of forest resources and for emergency management and mitigation of natural environment threats
- Application for, and development of agreements, licenses or permits related to forest sector development and the natural environment
- Development and expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships and businesses related to forest sector development and the natural environment
- Development of tools, technologies, products, services and systems for forest sector development and the natural environment
- Engineering design, environmental planning and permitting and other project design activities for forest sector development
- Site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up and expansion operations
- Exploration, development, manufacturing/transformation and production of forest resources, products including energy, energy efficiency and products/processes that support a transition to net zero carbon balances in operations and markets
Note: Applicants proposing more than one project should submit separate proposals for each project. Do you have a large or complex project in mind? We encourage you contact NRCan’s Indigenous Forestry Liaison Officers in your region to share your project idea, and for advice on how to develop your application.
Over time, business development, skills training and knowledge sharing supported by IFI are expected to help make the forest sector more sustainable and bring lasting benefits to Indigenous communities. Therefore, all contributions, including those to eligible businesses, are non-repayable.
Information about eligible project expenditures can be found in the IFI Applicant Guide. See the email link below, to request the guide.
How to apply
- Off-line Application
- Download the IFI Contribution Application [fillable PDF form]
- Submit completed application forms via the email address mentioned below
- On-line Application
- Submit an online application and upload supplementary documentation through Natural Resources Canada’s E-Services Portal
Note: You only need to apply using one of these methods, not both.
Current Call for Proposals: Apply by May 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)
After you apply
Natural Resources Canada’s network of Regional Liaison Officers is available to answer questions and provide updates on the status of your application. Regional Liaison Officers may also connect you with other federal funding programs, if you are open to pathfinding support, to maximise project success and ensure broader access to alternative resources.
We continue to streamline our selection processes to reduce the time between application submission and funding decisions.
Natural Resources Canada will issue contributions according to yearly program funding levels and will keep unfunded applications for future consideration. You do not need to re-apply.
Contact
To request more information, contact ifi-ifa@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca