About the program

The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) provides funding for strategic investments in the forest sector that:

  • improve productivity and innovation
  • enhance competitiveness
  • support new market access
  • provide benefits to Ontario’s broader forest sector
  • strengthen regional economies

Support is available under two project categories – business projects and collaboration projects.

This page is a brief overview of the FSIIP. Find complete eligibility and application information in the FSIIP program guidelines.

Eligibility

Business projects

Support is available for projects with at least $3 million in eligible costs undertaken by for-profit manufacturers and processors of wood and forest biomass across Ontario, including:

  • saw mills
  • pulp and paper mills
  • secondary wood manufacturers
  • bio-economy projects

Harvesting and resource extraction projects are not eligible for funding.

Collaboration projects

Support is available for Ontario-based projects with at least $3 million in eligible costs undertaken through a collaboration of:

  • forest sector for-profit businesses
  • not-for-profit research organizations
  • forest industry associations
  • academia

Eligible collaborations should develop, diversify and transform Ontario’s forest sector through innovation in technology, process and/or products.

A minimum of three partners are required (including at least one Ontario-based for-profit forestry/wood products company).

Funding amounts

Business projects

You can receive funding support of up to 30% of eligible costs in the form of a performance-based loan (of which, up to 50% may be forgivable).

Grants of up to 15% of eligible costs may be considered in exceptional situations at the discretion of the province.

Stacking with other provincial funding programs is not allowed. Stacking with other government support (for example, federal or municipal) is allowed to a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs.

Collaboration projects

You can receive funding support of up to 30% of eligible costs in the form of a grant to a maximum of $3 million.

Stacking with other government funding programs (for example, federal, provincial and municipal) is allowed to a maximum of 75% of eligible project costs.

Selection process

To be selected for funding, projects must:

  • demonstrate strong alignment with the program’s objectives, which are to:
    • enhance productivity and competitiveness
    • increase innovation
    • create greater market access for Ontario firms
    • improve the competitiveness of Ontario’s broader forest sector
    • strengthen regional economies
  • demonstrate need for government financial support to complete the project and have sufficient funding to complete the project (when combined with proposed support from FSIIP).
  • pass a two-stage project evaluation process:
    • Stage I: project overview to determine whether project meets eligibility criteria and assessment of how well the project aligns with the objectives of the program
    • Stage II: competitive, rounds-based project evaluation process, including financial and technical due diligence

Funding is approved through a competitive rounds-based process. Although a project may meet all program objectives and criteria, there is no guarantee it will be approved, as there may be other projects submitted that more effectively meet program objectives and criteria.

How to apply

FSIIP will follow an open, competitive rounds-based application process.

Stage I

Submissions will be accepted continually, but only those received by the current Stage I deadline will be considered to move on to the upcoming round of evaluations. However, Stage I applications that do not meet the current deadline will be considered in the next round.

To apply, login to Transfer Payment Ontario and complete the Stage I Eligibility Checklist and Application Form.

Stage II

Applicants who have successfully passed Stage I should submit a fully completed Stage II Business Plan and all required supplemental documents by the Stage II deadline. All required information must be provided. Please note that incomplete or missing information may result in your application being declined or deferred to a following round.

Complete eligibility and application information is available in the FSIIP program guidelines.

If you have any further questions, or require assistance, please contact us.

Deadlines

Round 15

    • Stage I: June 16, 2023
    • Stage II: July 24, 2023
  • Round 16

    • Stage I: September 15, 2023
    • Stage II: October 23, 2023
  • Round 17

    • Stage I: December 15, 2023
    • Stage II: January 24, 2024
  • Round 18

    • Stage I: March 15, 2024
    • Stage II: April 23, 2024

Round 19

    • Stage I: June 21, 2024
    • Stage II: July 29, 2024
  • Round 20

    • Stage I: September 20, 2024
    • Stage II: October 28, 2024
  • Round 21

    • Stage I: December 20, 2024
    • Stage II: January 29, 2025
  • Round 22

    • Stage I: March 21, 2025
    • Stage II: April 29, 2025

Contact us

For information regarding the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program please contact the Business Development Branch by: