RTRI through FedNor: Tariff Funding for Northern Ontario Businesses
A tariff can leave a sound business short of cash for wages and rent, and facing trade-related risk it did not have before. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a national initiative, delivered by FedNor in Northern Ontario, that offers liquidity assistance and Pivot Project funding to tariff-impacted SMEs and not-for-profits.
It provides non-repayable funding up to $3 million combined (liquidity plus non-repayable pivot funding), or up to $20 million total when repayable pivot funding is included. The program is open, with continuous intake through the FedNor self-service portal and no fixed application deadline.
What is RTRI through FedNor?
RTRI through FedNor is the Northern Ontario delivery of a national initiative. It is a federal program that targets businesses with a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue that are facing tariff-related liquidity pressures or seeking to boost competitiveness and reduce trade-related risk.
Liquidity assistance goes toward salaries and wages, rent or lease, utilities, business insurance and property taxes. Pivot Project funding goes toward productivity improvements, equipment and technology adoption, market diversification and supply chain resilience.
RTRI through FedNor at a glance
| Detail | Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedNor |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $100K – $3M |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Ontario (ON) |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | Continuous intake through the FedNor self-service portal — no fixed application deadline; liquidity assistance projects must end by March 31, 2028 and Pivot Projects by March 31, 2029. |
| What it funds | Productivity / Automation / Equipment, AI Adoption / Integration, Commercialization / Market Launch |
| Industries | All sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Software & IT, Clean Tech, Equipment Manufacturing |
| Company stage | Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Milestone |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | Moderate |
How much funding is available?
Non-repayable funding is capped at $3 million combined, which counts liquidity assistance plus non-repayable pivot funding. When repayable pivot funding is included, the total funding maximum is $20 million.
Funding is paid by milestone. The program covers only part of your eligible costs, so your company contributes the rest.
- Liquidity assistance: up to $2 million non-repayable, up to 50% of eligible costs, for a maximum of 12 months, ending no later than March 31, 2028.
- Pivot Projects, non-repayable: up to $1 million (up to 50% of eligible costs) for local or regional benefit projects.
- Pivot Projects, repayable: repayable funding over $1 million (up to 75% of eligible costs) for larger transformative projects.
- Combined limits: a non-repayable maximum of $3 million, and a total funding maximum of $20 million including repayable support.
Who is eligible?
The applicant
- Your company must be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in Northern Ontario, or an eligible not-for-profit supporting businesses.
- You need a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of the last two fiscal years.
- Your business must have been viable prior to March 21, 2025.
- Governments, Crown corporations, and businesses unable to demonstrate tariff exposure are ineligible.
Tariff impact
- You must demonstrate tariff impact via Section 232 or Section 338 exposure, supply chain exposure, 25%+ of revenue from goods exported to the U.S., or cost increases or revenue loss from tariffs.
Eligible costs and timing
- Eligible liquidity costs: salaries and wages, rent or lease, utilities, business insurance and property taxes.
- Eligible pivot costs: productivity improvements, equipment and technology adoption, market diversification and supply chain resilience.
- Pivot projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
When and how to apply
RTRI through FedNor is open. Intake is continuous through the FedNor self-service portal, and there is no fixed application deadline.
The fixed dates are on the project side. Liquidity assistance projects must end by March 31, 2028, and Pivot Projects by March 31, 2029.
The status of Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedNor in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is RTRI through FedNor right for you?
RTRI through FedNor suits growth, expansion and established-stage businesses in Northern Ontario with a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue that can demonstrate tariff impact, along with eligible not-for-profits supporting businesses. Watch the cost-share: the program covers up to 50% of eligible costs for non-repayable support and up to 75% for repayable pivot funding, and pivot funding over $1 million is repayable. Competition is moderate.
Next steps: look up Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — FedNor in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 13, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.