Demonstration project stream

Open

Start date: 2026-02-25
End date: 2026-04-27

As part of its 2026 renewal, GCWood will allocate its demonstration funding to projects that directly support the government’s commitment of doubling Canada's current housing starts over the next decade. This includes funding for demonstration projects that deploy Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) using innovative wood-based products, building systems, and technologies in the design and construction of multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). The primary objective of the refocused GCWood program is to increase the supply of MURBs across Canada that use domestically manufactured wood-based building products and are cost-effective, quick to construct, and replicable.

Funding priorities

The program will prioritize project proposals that:

offer a high volume of residential units
deploy MMC resulting in quicker and more cost-effective construction
use building designs that can be scaled or replicated by the developer, builder or owner and their design teams
include Canadian manufactured wood-based products and advanced bio-based products

Please see below for an overview of the application process and requirements for GCWood demonstration projects.

Eligibility

Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients are legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as developers, builders, and not-for-profit housing providers; Indigenous organizations and communities; and provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies.

Eligible projects

GCWood will fund eligible design, approval, and construction activities associated with projects for multi-unit residential (e.g., apartments, condominiums, purpose-built rental housing) and mixed-use residential (e.g., developments combining housing with commercial, office, community space) buildings. Construction projects related to market rate rental housing, student housing, northern and remote housing, transitional and social housing, and mixed-use buildings with residential components will be considered for funding.

To be considered for funding, projects must incorporate one or more of the following elements:

deployment of innovative building solutions using wood-based products such as, but not limited to:
- building technologies, systems and design concepts
- MMC elements that improve productivity, quality, cost effectiveness and efficiency, including innovative off-site and on-site processes and products
use of advanced non-structural bio-products (e.g., wood-based cladding, wood fibre insulation)

Projects that do not fall within these categories will not be eligible under this solicitation process. Due to program timelines, projects must also be at an advanced stage of design or permitting or be shovel-ready to be considered for funding. The applicant will be asked to provide details and support documents proving the status of their project.

Please note that for the purposes of this intake process, MMC refers to any innovative building method that improves how buildings are designed and constructed. It includes both off-site approaches like prefabricated panels and modular units, and on-site innovations like digital tools, robotics, and faster assembly methods. A detailed list of MMC elements is available in the applicant guidebook.

Eligible activities

The costs associated with the following project design and construction activities are eligible to receive funding (for a full list of eligible activities and expenditures, please consult section 2.3.3 of the applicant guidebook):

Design development, permitting, and construction drawings, including, but not limited to:

Research and development to support the design and approval of the system, technology or bio-product and that demonstrate code compliance (e.g., fire, seismic, acoustics, building envelope, connections, durability), including engineering design, testing and numerical modelling
Deployment of MMC on-site and off-site, including efforts associated with streamlining the construction process to lower costs, reduce timelines and minimize construction risks and other uncertainties
Standardization of the design concept (i.e., preapproved engineering solutions), including the development of prototypes targeting future replicability and scalability
Development and implementation of construction fire safety and moisture management strategies or plans associated with the design concept, system, technology or bio-product

Construction and post-construction related activities, including but not limited to:

Cost of innovative wood-based building technology/system and bio-product
Cost of the manufacturing and processing of wood-based assemblies
The design and implementation of case studies that include performance data, as well as sharing the results to encourage broader adoption; related eligible costs include the creation of digital and paper documents, like fact sheets, lessons learned, guidance materials, cost analyses, protocols, procedures, instruction manuals, etc.
In situ testing, instrumentation and monitoring of structure performance associated with the innovative building system and/or technology and bio-based products

Please note that any costs associated with the production or export of softwood lumber products are not eligible for funding under this program.

Funding

Amount payable

The maximum amount payable by the GCWood program is up to 50% of a project’s eligible costs up to a total of $5 million. There are no restrictions on the number of application submissions an eligible recipient may undertake at one time.

Stacking provisions

Prior to signing a contribution agreement, recipients will be required to disclose all expected sources of funding applicable to the proposed project, including contributions from other federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, as well as private sector sources.

Total government funding (federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of the total project cost.

How to apply and key dates

Download the GCWood Applicant Guidebook 2026 for MURB demonstration projects

Applications must be submitted through the NRCan Funding Portal. For more information, please consult the GCWood Frequently asked questions.

Review the application form and guidebook which are both accessible through the funding portal. The application form is available as a Word document that can be filled out offline.
Complete and submit the application form, with supporting documentation via the funding portal.

Current Call for Proposals: Apply by April 27, 2026, 3:00 p.m. EST

Supporting documentation

As part of the application package, applicants must completely fill out the application form and include the following supporting documentation:

project renderings and construction documents
project schedule (Gantt chart or equivalent)
proof of building permit status (municipal receipts or email confirmations)
site layout
Class D or Class C estimate
comparative project cost
proof of engagement and commitment to the off-site manufacturer

Additional documents that may be requested if/when available, include:

Business plan/development strategy (if available)
Letters of support from all partners
Results from studies or testing
Organizational chart
Proof of development permit status (municipal receipts or email confirmations)
Proof of (re-)zoning permit status (municipal receipts or email confirmations)
Shop drawings and prefabricated elements documentation

Information sessions

The program will host public online information sessions for the current Call for Proposals for MURB demonstration projects, in both English and French.

English session: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 1 p.m. EST
Register for the English session

French session: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. EST
Register for the French Session

If you are unable to attend, the webinar slides and script will be made available on the Green Construction Through Wood (GCWood) Program web page after the sessions.

After you apply

Application review process

Assessment : Each application that meets the mandatory criteria will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel of experts.
Project selection: GCWood will notify applicants of their proposal result. Successful projects will move on to the due diligence phase.

Assessment process

Projects will be assessed based on the mandatory and rated criteria listed below. A full description of criteria can be found in the applicant guidebook.

Mandatory criteria:

Eligibility of the applicant
Eligibility of the project and proposed activities
Use of structural wood products manufactured in Canada
Use of wood-based materials prefabricated in an off-site factory
Construction project type
Project location
Agreement to knowledge and information sharing
Commitment to duty to consult

Rated criteria:

Innovation
Cost effectiveness and replicability
Technical feasibility
Business case
Experience and expertise
Value for investment
Timing or project readiness
Benefits to Canadians

Service standard

A service standard is a public commitment to measure the level of performance that clients can expect under normal circumstances. NRCan is committed to adhering to the following three service standards to increase transparency, to clarify expectations and to focus on service:

acknowledge receipt of the application and/or proposal

NRCan will acknowledge receipt of an application and/or a proposal within five business days of receiving it. NRCan aims to meet this standard 95% of the time.

provide a funding decision

NRCan will issue an official written notification of the funding decision within 100 business days of the closing date of the call for proposals, or within 100 business days of receiving the proposal for which there is a continuous intake process. NRCan aims to meet this standard 90% of the time.

issue payment

NRCan will issue payments within 30 calendar days of receiving invoices if all the conditions in the Contribution Agreement are met. NRCan aims to meet this standard 90% of the time.

Note: Achieving these service standards is a shared responsibility and depends on the documentation being completed and submitted in a timely manner. It is important that applicants provide timely responses to questions.

Natural Resources Canada’s Service Standards for Transfer Payment Programs

Contact us

Email gcwood-cvbois@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca for more information or to join our mailing list to receive program updates.

For more information on other measures available to support the forestry sector and its workers or for guidance in navigating the multiple funding opportunities, please visit Support for forest sector employers and workers.

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