Forest industry transformation funding available

July 7, 2011, Ottawa – The Government of
Canada has officially launched the second and last call for proposals under the
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program. The IFIT program
aims to support Canada’s forest sector in becoming more economically
competitive and environmentally sustainable through targeted investments in
advanced technologies. The second and
final call for proposals will run until 5:00 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, September
28, 2011.

“While traditional forest products will
continue to play an important role in the future, the commercialization and
implementation of innovative technologies will lead to a more diversified
product mix with higher value,” says the Honourable Joe Oliver, minister of
natural resources.

The $100-million IFIT program was announced
in the 2010 budget and runs until March 31, 2014. It is open to companies that
produce forest products and own existing manufacturing facilities in Canada.
Under the second call for proposals, highly innovative projects that
significantly advance forest sector technology in Canada could be eligible for
IFIT funding and may be submitted for consideration. The first call for
proposals took place in the fall of 2010, with the selected projects to be
announced at a later date.

Learning how to apply for funding under the
IFIT program at forest-transformation.nrcan.gc.ca.