Current Funding Opportunities

Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate

The Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate webpage includes a box titled “Funding for Indigenous Peoples.”

Indigenous Climate Funding

The link found above via the “Find funding program” button takes the user to the Indigenous Climate Funding webpage. Through this webpage, the user can filter through the various funding programs by distinction, type of program, ongoing intake, and topic.

ClimateWest’s Adaptation in Action Program

Description: ClimateWest has launched the Adaptation in Action Program, a call for projects that advance climate resilience and adaptation in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. ClimateWest is inviting proposals for projects that build resilience to our changing climate through the development of tools, products, or services.

Project activities and products could include videos, art, reports, briefs, guides, training manuals, webinars, workshops, meetings, courses, research, creation of new climate data or summaries of existing climate data, presentations, workbooks, podcasts, or other similar types of projects.

Find out more about the Adaptation in Action Program in this blog or on the ClimateWest website.

  • Funding available: $300,000 with up to $50,000 per project (cost-shared projects are preferred).
  • Application deadline: February 20, 2024.
  • Project duration: must be completed within two years (i.e. on or before March 31, 2026).
  • Open to: Indigenous communities & organizations, non-profit organizations, municipalities, research centres, businesses, other organizations, partnerships assembled for the project.

If you have any questions, please email admin@climatewest.ca.

The 2023 Wildfire Training Fund Call for Applications

Natural Resources Canada has launched a national open Call for Applications. The 2023 Wildfire Training Fund Call for Applications is accepting applications from December 8, 2023 until February 1, 2024.

About the Fund

Under the Fighting and Managing Wildfire in a Changing Climate program (FMWCC), the Training Fund provides $28 million over five years starting in 2022-23. The objective of this fund is to train 1,000 new community-based firefighters, to reduce the risk from wildfire and support community-based capacity.

Starting in 2022-23, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) launched a 2-year Wildfire Training Pilot to inform the design of the full launch of the Wildfire Training Fund. This pilot initiative supported projects from Indigenous organizations and communities to:

  • increase firefighting capacity; and
  • build community capacity to mitigate, prepare, and respond to wildfires in remote and Indigenous communities experiencing more frequent and more extreme wildfires.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit the program website.

(Information from NRCan program website).

The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) Program

The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program is excited to announce opportunities for new projects under the Indigenous Funding Stream and the reopening of the Capacity Building Stream. Please visit the program website to apply and register for an upcoming webinar below.

Upcoming decision dates for the ongoing Tree Planting Stream and the Indigenous Funding Stream:

  • Apply by January 18, 2024, for a decision by July 2024
  • Apply by May 16, 2024, for a decision by November 2024
  • Apply by September 19, 2024, for a decision by March 2025

Capacity Building Application Deadline: Apply by November 30, 2023, for a decision by May 2024.

Indigenous Funding Stream (IFS)

Following extensive engagement and co-development with various regional and national Indigenous governments and organizations, the IFS will deliver $500 million of funding using a distinctions-based approach for First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Unaffiliated governments and organizations.

Indigenous governments/communities/organizations interested in tree planting and/or capacity building projects can apply through the following three (3) options: Prepare to Plant and Tree Planting (Indigenous Small-scale Planting and Indigenous Mass Planting):

Prepare to Plant * Tree Planting
Indigenous Small-scale * Indigenous Mass
Average # of trees per year in which planting occurs 0-49,999 50,000-199,999 200,000+
Maximum funding per year $5 million $65 million $65 million
Latest date for projects to be completed 2 years, or March 31, 2027 March 31, 2031 March 31, 2031

* A limited number of projects will be approved on an annual basis for the Prepare to Plant and Indigenous Small-Scale funding options

All projects in the IFS will allow capacity building activities such as training, planning, feasibility studies, seed collection, and nursery infrastructure to support planting.

Capacity Building Stream

The Capacity Building Stream seeks to support non-profit organizations focusing on activities that build and transfer knowledge, expertise and experience related to planting and managing trees and forests. The program will prioritize projects that demonstrate that funded activities will directly support future 2BT planting activities.

Please note that there is a limited pool of funding to support capacity building projects and applications are not guaranteed funding. This stream will close once funding is exhausted, and re-open once funding becomes available again.

Applications can only be submitted online through the 2BT Portal after October 30. In the meantime, please prepare your application offline using the “Working Copy of the Capacity Building Application Form” that can be found by clicking the “apply” button on the program website . Following October 30, the draft responses can be copied into the online application form and submitted anytime before November 30.

Upcoming Webinars

Upcoming webinars will provide information on the types of projects eligible for funding and how to submit your project idea.

To register for upcoming webinars please click on the link:

Date (2023) Time (EST) Stream (Language) Link to Register
October 24, 2023 11:30-1:00pm Indigenous Funding Stream (EN) Registration link
November 1, 2023 1:00-2:30pm Capacity Building stream (EN) Registration link
November 1, 2023 3:00-4:00pm Online 2BT Portal (EN/FR) Registration link
November 2, 2023 1:00-2:30pm Capacity Building stream (FR) Registration link
November 3, 2023 1:00-2:30pm Indigenous Funding Stream (EN) Registration link
November 8, 2023 1:00-2:30pm Indigenous Funding Stream (EN) Q&A only Registration link
November 9, 2023 1:00-2:30pm Indigenous Funding Stream (FR) Registration link

Questions?

For specific questions about the IFS, please email the 2BT program IFS team. All other inquiries and requests for additional information should go to the 2BT general mailbox.

Request a copy of the program’s Frequently Asked Questions document and learn more about upcoming webinars by emailing our FAQ inbox.

(Source of information: 2 Billion Trees Program – shared by NRCAN.)

NRCan’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (2022-2027)

Description: The call for proposals is open for the 2022 to 2027 period.

About the Climate Change Adaptation Program

NRCan’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (2022–2027) helps to position Canada’s regions and sectors to adapt to a changing climate. The Program aims to:

  1. Support decision-makers in identifying and implementing adaptation actions;
  2. Enhance adaptation knowledge and skills among Canada’s workforce; and
  3. Increase access to climate change adaptation tools and resources.

The Program is soliciting proposals for cost-shared projects that will make important contributions to advancing adaptation progress in Canada. Up to $15 million in funding may be awarded through this Call for Proposals.

We welcome proposals for projects that address climate change adaptation on the following topics (see the Applicant Guide for more information):

  • Adaptation skills
  • Economics
  • Emerging issues
  • Natural resource sectors

Projects requesting less than $150,000 of NRCan funding will not be considered through this Call for Proposals.

Note: The Government of Canada may fund up to 60% of the total project costs, with the exception of projects led by Indigenous organizations, governments or communities or by Territorial governments, where NRCan may fund up to 100% of the total project costs.

Eligibility

This Call for Proposals is open to individuals and organizations that are incorporated or registered in Canada, including:

  • Academic institutions;
  • Non-governmental organizations;
  • Industry, research, and professional associations;
  • Companies and businesses;
  • Indigenous communities or governments;
  • Community, regional and national Indigenous organizations; and
  • Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies.

How to Apply

Visit Climate Change Adaptation Program website for more information on how to apply.

Upcoming Information Sessions

The Program will host two virtual information sessions to provide information about the competitive process of this Call for Proposals and to answer questions from applicants:

Looking for More Information?

Visit the Climate Change Adaptation Program website for more information.

(Information Source: Natural Resources Canada)

Emergency Management FireSmart Program

Description: The call for proposals is open for the 2023 to 2024 period. Proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until funding is exhausted.

About the Program

The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond using the 4 pillars of emergency management:

  • mitigation
  • preparedness
  • response
  • recovery

EMAP supports wildland fire non-structural mitigation and preparedness initiatives through the FireSmart funding stream. FireSmart builds skills in First Nations communities to prevent and prepare against wildland fires. Programming involves training First Nations teams in wildfire suppression duties, as well as fuel management and vegetation clearing, which reduces the intensity and spread of wildfires. FireSmart also leverages Indigenous knowledge of the local environment and terrain to improve emergency planning, preparation, and response to wildfires. FireSmart project funding is available for initiatives, such as:

  • wildfire pre-suppression planning
  • wildfire risk assessments
  • fuel reduction, forest thinning, prescribed burning
  • fire breaks
  • wildland fire crew training
  • vegetation management
  • fire mapping
  • FireSmart training, workshops, conferences
  • community and youth engagement

Funding for risk assessments is also available through the First Nations Adapt Program. Fire-related infrastructure projects may be eligible under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program. Consult your ISC regional office emergency management contact for guidance on which program best suits your needs.

In British Columbia, FireSmart funding for First Nations communities is administered through the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS). Please contact FNESS directly for any FireSmart-related projects in BC.

The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) allows for the purchase of low-value equipment for emergency preparedness and mitigation projects through the program’s proposal-based funding streams:

  • Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness
  • FireSmart

Examples of low-value equipment include:

  • firefighter protective gear
  • vegetation management equipment
  • fire suppression tools

To learn more, consult the Low-value equipment purchases under EMAP page.

Who Can Apply

  • First Nations communities
  • Tribal councils
  • Indigenous organizations

Eligible Activities

To be eligible for funding, the proposed project must directly support First Nations located on:

  • a reserve, as defined in s.2(1) of the Indian Act, R.S.C (Revised Statues of Canada 1985, c. (chapter) 1-5
  • lands set aside in Yukon as per Cabinet Directive (Circular No. 27) entitled Procedure for Reserving Land in the Yukon and Northwest Territories (1955)

or

  • lands formerly defined as a reserve of lands set aside which now form part of modern treaty settlement lands

Deadline

Project proposals will be considered on an ongoing basis until the funds are exhausted or until March 31, 2024.

For more information, including how to apply, visit link below:

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1643385529147/1643385549632

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Description: Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund is accepting applications until July 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT).

Eligible projects – include new construction of public infrastructure and/or modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure, including natural infrastructure, that prevent, mitigate or protect against the impacts of climate change, disasters triggered by natural hazards, and extreme weather.

Join one of the webinars for guidance on preparing a strong DMAF application. Infrastructure Canada will provide an overview of the program, its requirements and advice to help applicants navigate the application process.

If you are interested in attending one of the webinars, please visit Infrastructure Canada’s webpage to register. You can also consult the applicant guide for more information.

Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (nrcan.gc.ca)

Description:

The Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) Program aims to increase the economic participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in the development of natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy future.

INRP has $80 million in Contributions funding for projects that:

  • increase the capacity of Indigenous communities to engage in, benefit from, actively participate in and/or capitalize on economic development opportunities in the natural resource sectors;
  • increase the investment and/or collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and other natural resource development stakeholders, including governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • result in benefits to multiple Indigenous communities and/or organizations
  • support community capacity to transition to and participate in projects that contribute to Canada’s net-zero objectives and shift to clean energy (including critical minerals development).

Deadlines: NRCan is accepting an ongoing intake of applications for the INRP program. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.

For a complete list of assessment considerations, please refer to the INRP Program Guide (available on the NRCAN Website).

Please contact Debora Stone at inrp-prna@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca for more information or to discuss your project idea.

Eligible Activities

Examples could include:

  • Studies, plans, evaluations, assessments or related activities to identify or develop economic or business opportunities
  • Strategic, business, human resources, marketing and financial planning or community economic development planning
  • Identification of opportunities, application and development of agreements or licenses
  • Development or expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships or businesses
  • Capacity development and training
  • Development of tools, technology, products, services and systems
  • Engineering design, environmental planning and permitting or other project design activities
  • Site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up and expansion operations

Budget 2022 allocated $100 million over five years starting in 2022-23, to renew and expand the Indigenous Partnerships Office (IPO) and the INRP Program to make it a national natural resource sector-wide program. At least $25 million of this funding is to be dedicated to early engagement and Indigenous communities’ capacity building to support their participation in the Critical Minerals Strategy.

Please visit NRCAN Website for more information: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resource-partnerships/22197.

Indigenous Guardians – Canada.ca

Description: Indigenous Guardians funding provides Indigenous Peoples with a greater opportunity to exercise responsibility in stewardship of their traditional lands, waters, and ice. Funding for Guardians initiatives supports Indigenous rights and responsibilities in protecting and conserving ecosystems, developing and maintaining sustainable economies, and continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures.

Eligible Organizations: Indigenous communities, Indigenous Nations, governments, and representative organizations are eligible for funding under Indigenous Guardians.

Application process: An application process will be open for First Nations Guardians Initiatives (Tiers 1, 2 and 3) in 2023-2024 in two streams to provide continuity in funding for existing First Nations Guardians recipients, while providing the opportunity for new or returning applicants to apply.

To learn more, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/indigenous-guardians.html.

Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities

Deadline: None (applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis)

Description: This federal funding focuses on Indigenous, rural, and remote communities using diesel or fossil fuels for heat or power. It supports all project stages and a variety of technology types. Indigenous-owned or led projects, or projects with community partnerships, are prioritized.

Website: Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities

Contact: nrcan.remoteenergy-energieadistance.rncan@canada.ca

Climate Action and Awareness Fund –Advancing Climate Change Science and Technology Request for Proposals

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) has opened a request for proposals (RFP) for Advancing Climate Change Science and Technology Research. The RFP will fund up to $59M for projects that will strengthen Canada’s science capacity to understand, identify, accelerate, and evaluate actions towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Please visit the CAAF website for more information.

Information from: Climate Action and Awareness Fund, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada.

Harvesters Support Grant

Description: The Harvesters Support Grant is a new addition to the Nutrition North Canada program. It was developed in direct collaboration with Indigenous partners to increase their access to traditional foods by reducing the high costs associated with traditional hunting and harvesting. The grant supports the complete range of harvesting activities and traditions, from community decision making to ceremony and celebration of the harvest. It respects the inherent hunting and harvesting rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

It provides $40 million over 5 years, and $8 million per year ongoing, to Indigenous governments and organizations representing eligible Nutrition North Canada communities.

How does the grant work?

The Harvesters Support Grant relies on a distinctions-based design to maximize Indigenous control and decision-making. Because each community has unique harvesting needs and priorities, dedicated grant agreements have been developed to ensure that Indigenous governments and organizations can decide how best to support their own communities. The grant is supporting a wide range of harvesting activities such as:

  • transportation and related capital investments
  • maintenance of equipment
  • harvesting equipment
  • temporary shelter and outdoor clothing
  • safety and rescue equipment
  • training, certification and education
  • traditional knowledge, practices and techniques
  • processing, food preparation and storage such as community freezers
  • maintenance of harvesting sites
  • innovation in harvesting
  • community, research, culture, and food sharing initiatives

There are 2 funding streams:

Stream 1 – Land claim organization and self-government stream

For communities with settled land claims, grant funding is being provided to land claim organizations. These organizations will decide how the grant is spent and how harvesting support programs are administered.

Stream 2 – Communities stream

For communities without a settled land claim, an Indigenous organization representing the community will receive and administer the grant. With input from community leaders, the organization will develop the program within their region.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Harvesters Support Grant, a community must:

  • lack year-round surface transportation (no permanent road, rail or marine access)
  • be reliant on air transportation for more than 8 months each year
  • meet the territorial or provincial definition of a northern community
  • have an airport, post office, or grocery store
  • have a year-round population according to the national census

Eight communities eligible for the retail subsidy are not reliant on air transportation for more than 8 months each year, and are not eligible for the Harvesters Support Grant as a result. These communities are all on the Quebec North Shore:

  • Pakuashipi
  • La Tabatiere
  • Mutton Bay
  • Tête-à-la-Baleine
  • Harrington Harbour
  • Chevery
  • La Romaine
  • Port Menier

Source: Information obtained from Government of Canada website. For more information on this funding opportunity, click here.