Apply for funding from the Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust

The Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is a $50 million fund focused on accelerating new opportunities within the Nova Scotia Forestry Sector to enhance environmental, social and economic values and adoption of new ecological forestry practices.

Apply for funding from the Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Trust. The trust provides funding to accelerate or enhance production, utilization and ecological sustainability of forestry and biological resources in Nova Scotia.

The trust supports projects that help:

  • develop new high value products
  • develop or enhance business models, processes or services
  • create new inclusive economic growth opportunities in forestry
  • create new ecological services, including carbon sequestration

The trust also helps eligible individuals access training or retraining to work in the forestry and biological resources sectors in Nova Scotia (when training isn’t covered by provincial programming).

Eligibility

You’re eligible to apply if you’re:

  • an individual who:
    • is employed in the Nova Scotia forestry sector, or has been at any time in the past 2 years before applying
    • has applied to an approved educational program to train or retrain for work in the forestry or biological resources sector
  • recognized post-secondary institution or research institution in Nova Scotia engaged in applied research in support of the forestry or biological resources sectors
  • a not-for-profit organization (including societies, registered charities and non-profit co-operatives) in Nova Scotia with an objective to advance the forestry or biological resources sector
  • a community interest corporation in Nova Scotia:
    • that has a purpose that benefits the forestry or biological resources sectors
    • that agrees to reinvest at least 90% of its net profits annually for the next 5 years into the forestry or biological resources sector
  • a qualified incubator, accelerator or makerspace in Nova Scotia that works with entrepreneurs in the forestry or biological resources sector
  • a sole proprietorship, incorporated enterprise, or partnership:
    • that is active in the forestry or biological resources sector seeking to develop new products, or new or enhanced processes or services
    • whose head office and principal place of business is in Nova Scotia

Application deadlines

Individuals applying for training or retraining funding can apply at any time.

The Trust is currently accepting new applications.

Evaluation criteria for organizations

The trustees will consider these criteria when reviewing your proposal:

  • whether your project meets the trust’s purposes, contributes to improved social and economic outcomes, and supports inclusive economic growth in the forestry and biological resources sectors
  • how your project contributes to creating new knowledge in the forestry and biological resources sectors
  • how much incremental benefit your project creates with funding from the trust, including potential to leverage further investment from non-provincial sources
  • how your project considers new and innovative ways of doing things across the forestry sector
  • how your project builds upon partnerships and collaborations among institutions, government departments and agencies, the forestry sector, foundations, and other private sector organizations to advance the trust’s purposes
  • what impact your project will have on the forestry and biological resources sectors in Nova Scotia
  • how you will evaluate the success of your project
  • how your project will comply with all applicable laws, including Canada’s trade obligations set out in conventions, agreements, or otherwise, and Nova Scotia’s existing exemption in relation to softwood lumber
  • how your project builds upon an eco-forestry model in private woodlots in Nova Scotia by engaging or incenting private wood-lot owners to participate in eco-forestry, builds efficiencies or cuts costs in the operating model, and encourages creativity in the use of equipment

How to apply

  1. Review the Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust Application and Proposal Guidelines (PDF 100 kB).

  2. Complete the application form.

  3. Submit your application by email or USB drive. Paper applications will not be accepted.
    • By email: Send completed applications and supporting documents to .

      By USB drive: Deliver your application and supporting documents on a USB drive to the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust by registered mail, courier or in person.

      USB drives must be password protected. Send the password to .

      Mail the USB drive to:

      Department of Economic Development
      1809 Barrington Street (CIBC Building),
      Suite M103
      Halifax, NS B3J 3K8

How long it takes

You’ll get a confirmation that your application was received within 2 business days of applying.

Cost

There is no cost to apply.

Before you start

When applying, make sure you have information about:

  • total cost of proposed project
  • financial and in-kind funding sources
  • risks that can impact the project’s success
  • how the proposed project will contribute towards the purpose of the Trust
  • how you’ll measure success and monitor progress
  • long-term benefits this project will have for the forest and biological resources sector in Nova Scotia
  • proven leadership, and financial and human resources required for the project

About the trust

Funding from the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is available to companies, organizations and post-secondary institutions working and researching in the forestry and biological resources sectors.

The trust was announced in February 2020. A 3-member trustee board will oversee spending decisions of a $50 million trust fund that will continue to advance the transition and development of Nova Scotia’s forestry sector.

The trustees are:

  • Rosalind Penfound -  former vice president, Organizational Development at Nova Scotia Community College and former deputy minister of several provincial government departments
  • Douglas Hall – director of the advisory board of Southwest Properties, director of Stanfield's and former managing director at RBC Capital Markets
  • David Saxton – retired partner from Grant Thornton LLP

Administrative support will be provided by the Department of Economic Development.