Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) program

Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) program is sponsored by Federal Government (administered through the Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Northern Ontario defence fund now open to applications - Northern Ontario Business Northern Ontario defence fund now open to applications Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities program aimed at helping companies pivot operations Lindsay Kelly | Northern Ontario Business Northern Ontario companies entering the defence industry can now apply for funding to help cover costs associated with specialized certifications, consulting services, equipment upgrades, and more.

Launched in July with nearly $1 million in federal funding, the Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) program is being administered through the Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound, but companies operating across Northern Ontario are eligible to apply.

Jennifer Nickerson, the Business Centre’s executive director, said the program targets companies that have been proactive in industry engagement, demonstrating some readiness to participate in the defence sector. “If they’re just in the exploratory phase, they’re probably not quite ready for this program,” Nickerson said.

Eligible companies may have already engaged in discussions with Tier 1 and Tier 2 defence suppliers, or maybe they’ve been attending defence-related tradeshows, Nickerson said. A company may have begun earning special certifications to qualify to bid on contracts, or they’ve begun testing a product or technology that has defence applications.

In some cases, companies will qualify as a “dual use” case, wherein the company is already producing a product or service for, say, the mining industry, but it could be easily applicable in defence. “So maybe they just need some additional certification, or maybe they need to tweak a piece of equipment in order to modify something to be able to be applicable to the defence industry,” Nickerson said.

“That's what that means, that demonstrated readiness, the proactivity into this space already. ” NODO targets four specific areas of focus: specialized and advanced manufacturing, including aerospace and space-tech; digital systems, including AI, secure cloud and quantum computing; sensors, cybersecurity, and data-driven systems; and in-service support and supply chain-enabling services.

“It's really direct services in the defence industry and what the federal government has identified as their priorities for businesses playing in the defence space,” Nickerson said. Small and medium-sized businesses operating in Northern Ontario are eligible to apply.

They must be an established, for-profit business with no more than 499 employees, and they have to demonstrate a clear value proposition for the defence industry. Non-profits, charities, educational institutions, and public-sector organizations are not eligible.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, and each proposal will be vetted by a steering committee comprised of representatives from the economic development departments from each of the major cities — North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timmins. “They know their businesses in their towns and cities the best,” Nickerson said.

“So they're going to be our best champions to really get the word out to those businesses. They're already working with them and know who can take advantage of this program. ” Successful applicants can receive up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $50,000, per business.

Nickerson said there will be a quick turnaround on requests. Projects must be completed within six months of funding approval or by February 2028, whichever occurs first. Because it’s a reimbursement program, successful applicants will have to pay for the cost of the project up front and will later be compensated, she added.

NODO is designed to work in tandem with another northern-specific program: the Northern Ontario Road to Defence (NORD) program, which received funding earlier this year. That program, which is run through the economic development arm of the City of North Bay, provides educational and networking opportunities to create awareness around the opportunities in the defence sector.

Its signature event was the Northern Ontario Road to Defence conference , which took place in April. But NORD is also hosting webinars over the next three years covering topics including how to source government bids, how to prepare your business to serve the defence sector, and how to pitch to contractors.

It’s also organizing delegations to two major defence trade shows this year — CANSEC , which took place in Ottawa May 27-28, and the Best Defence Conference , which takes place in London, Ont. , Oct. 20-21 — and for the next three years.

It’s great preparation for companies before actually entering the sector, Nickerson said. “They're getting that defence-ready piece through that,” she said, and ‘[through our program] now they can apply to actually get funding to help move those projects forward so they can start playing in the defence base.

” The amount of funding each successful applicant receives through NODO will largely depend on what they’re asking for help with, Nickerson said, but she estimates the program will be able to provide funding to about 18 to 20 companies.

She had already had lots of early interest after the July launch, but her team, including project coordinator Uphar Singh , continues to host information sessions across the North to spread the word, and will continue to do so for any group that’s interested. Nickerson said companies looking to learn more can also visit the NODO website where a complete information package is available.

“We strongly encourage they go through that before they apply,” she said. How did this story make you feel? This has been shared 0 times Get your daily Sudbury news briefing Algoma Steel plans maintenance shutdown Feds, province resolve environmental charges against Algoma Steel Algoma Steel says beam mill plan remains real, despite submarine contract setback