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Grant funding under the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk

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Overview of grant funding under the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk

Beginning in October 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is pleased to offer grant funding under the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR). DFO recognizes the importance of consultation and engagement with Indigenous Peoples in advancing listing decisions and in planning for species recovery. The perspectives and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples provide important insights into the potential impacts of decisions made when managing aquatic species at risk. CNFASAR grant funding will provide accessible and timely support to Indigenous Peoples to participate in consultation and engagement activities related to aquatic species at risk under consideration for listing, and/or recovery document preparation, under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

SARA is the legislative basis for the Government of Canada’s strategy for the protection of wildlife species at risk. Wildlife species that are listed under Schedule 1 of SARA as extirpated, endangered, threatened, or special concern as a result of human activity are managed through measures such as prohibitions and recovery planning.

Expected outcomes

In SARA listing decisions and recovery planning for aquatic species at risk, the CNFASAR grant program will help to:

Enhanced Indigenous engagement allows the Government of Canada to better understand the impacts of management decisions and potential recovery options for aquatic species at risk. By actively including and integrating Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives in the protection and recovery of aquatic species at risk, the CNFASAR grant seeks to uphold the rights and interests of Indigenous communities.

Eligible applicants

You may be eligible for CNFASAR grant funding if you:

Eligible activities

Grant funding is intended to support activities relevant to:

Eligible expenses

The general categories of eligible expenses under CNFASAR grant funding include:

Note:

The CNFASAR grant cannot be applied retroactively. Activities and expenses that have already been undertaken prior to grant approval cannot be reimbursed.

How to apply

Interested parties should contact their designated DFO regional coordinator.

To facilitate timely provision of funding, applicants should submit their grant requests soon after receiving a consultation or engagement notification letter from DFO to initiate the application process.

After contacting the DFO regional coordinator, an application form must be completed and submitted. All sections of the application form must be completed in order for the application to be processed by DFO. Application forms should be sent via email to the DFO regional coordinator.

Applications for funding will be processed in the order in which they are received. If the information you provide is incomplete or insufficient, you may delay the processing of your application or cause it to be rejected. Activities eligible for funding must be completed by March 31, 2026. Once an application is processed, applicants will be notified via email of the result. Submitted a grant application does not guarantee receipt of the requested amount. DFO reserves the right to refuse or partially grant the requested grants, following the analysis of the files presented or the funding still available.

Approved applications will receive a letter of approval prior to funds being issued. Activities and expenses can be undertaken from the date of receipt of the approval letter.

Note that information provided to DFO will be treated in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. These laws govern, protect, and limit the collection, use, and disclosure of personal, financial, and technical information by federal government departments and agencies.

Get the application form
Get the application guide

Funding amounts

Preference will be given to applications requesting under $15,000. Funding requests should be relative to the depth and complexity of the activities being undertaken.

Applications greater than $15,000 may also be accepted if the proposed expenses are relevant to supporting collaborations of multiple Indigenous communities or organizations and/or complex consultation or engagement activities.

Contact us

For more information or to initiate an application process, please contact your designated DFO regional coordinator:

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