BC Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP)

Program Description

Non-repayable contributions from Forestry Innovation Investment covering up to 100% of the incremental costs of designing and constructing buildings that demonstrate emerging or new mass timber or mass timber-hybrid systems in British Columbia, to a maximum of $500,000 per project. The program pays for what mass timber costs OVER a conventional build — design, engineering, code alternative solutions, testing, virtual design, monitoring — and explicitly not for the mass timber products themselves. Eligible buildings must meet minimum heights by type, and the proponent must fund the majority of the total project cost. Four intakes have run since 2020, funding 24 demonstration buildings and eight research projects with over $11.1 million. The fourth intake's results were announced in September 2025 and no fifth intake is currently posted.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible applicants are: for-profit organizations registered in British Columbia (for example owners and developers); not-for-profit organizations incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation or society formed under an Act of Canada or the Province of BC and in good standing under the relevant Act; British Columbia local governments (municipalities and regional districts); and First Nations governments and organizations
• Applications submitted as part of a consortium are encouraged, but the lead applicant must be one of the eligible applicant types
• The building must be in British Columbia
• The main structural building system must be mass timber or mass timber-hybrid — for example mass timber with light wood frame, concrete or steel
• The building must meet minimum heights by type: residential 5+ storeys; mixed-use commercial 3+ storeys; institutional 2+ storeys; industrial 2+ storeys. Other heights may be considered if the applicant can clearly explain how the building is uniquely innovative
• The project must support an eligible activity — incremental mass timber design, code analysis and alternative solutions, design-concept validation and product or system testing, research on mass timber systems, virtual design and 3D modelling, GHG emission mitigation documentation, incremental construction fees such as site fire safety and moisture protection, or monitoring of critical components
• The application must demonstrate the need for incremental funding support and how the funding will advance the project in the immediate term
• The proponent must commit to contributing the majority of the total project cost, and must provide evidence of funds and/or in-kind support for their share
• The proponent must demonstrate access to the funding required to complete the project, and must clearly identify any other Government of British Columbia, federal or other government contributions received or applied for
• Total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of the total eligible incremental project costs being funded through the MTDP
• The application must be complete and provide enough information for a proper evaluation
• Applicants without prior mass timber experience are explicitly encouraged to apply
• Eligible costs can only be incurred after the funding agreement has been signed and executed by both parties; a cost counts as incurred once the work is completed and paid