Apply for funding
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Step 1. Overview
The AERF will make investments in coastal and upstream inland communities to support contributions towards aquatic restoration efforts that address impacts on Canadian coastal and marine environments.
The fund is intended for medium to large projects along Canada’s coasts, ranging from a $200,000 to $1 million per year funding request, for a maximum of 4 years. However, requests as low as $50,000 will be considered if they’re of strategic value.
The fund will prioritize Indigenous led projects, as well as projects that clearly demonstrate the inclusion of Indigenous partners (i.e., as part of the development, design, and implementation processes). Preference will also be given to projects that engage a broad number of partners overall, and that address program priorities.
Step 2. Who can apply
Eligible groups under the fund include:
- non-profit organizations, including non-governmental environment organizations
- community based organizations
- Indigenous organizations, such as:
- tribal councils
- Indigenous communities
- Indigenous conservation groups
- governments of self-governing First Nations
- academic researchers or institutions
Step 3. Eligible activities and expenses
The fund supports a range of activities linked to coastal and upstream inland restoration activities or plan development, including:
- pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
- rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating aquatic habitat
- activities that align and/or support restoration plans
- skills development and technical training
- monitoring and reporting
- phytoremediation as part of a larger aquatic habitat restoration project
- construction, and project design activities
- removal or disposal of derelict physical structures
- removal of debris and aquatic invasive species related to in-water restoration
- maintenance of previously restored areas
- outreach and education efforts aligned with minimizing human impact on aquatic environments
Expenses
Eligible expenses under the fund are limited to:
- professional and technical services
- training fees and material
- construction and related costs
- purchase or rental of machinery and equipment
- maintenance and repair
- materials and supplies
- rental of facilities
- salaries and wages and employer mandatory benefits
- honorariums and ceremonial costs
- travel based on National Joint Council Directives, including:
- meals
- allowances
- accommodation
- hosting of conferences, workshops and meetings
- hospitality and related expenses in compliance with the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures
- to further distribute funding to an agency or a third party
- administrative overhead up to 10% of the overall program funding amount
- any GST/HST that's not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency, and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces
Ineligible activities and expenses
The following activities and expenses are considered ineligible:
- activities that solely support anthropogenic impacts on non-aquatic environments
- stocking, unless directly associated with aquatic restoration (e.g., seeding for artificial reefs, or shoreline stabilization)
- activities that lend themselves to the development of new commercial and recreational fisheries’ habitats
- regulatory requirements, such as offsetting projects
- decontamination of sites as the principle focus of a project (e.g., capping)
- training unrelated to the aquatic restoration project
- removal/recovery of host ghost debris or ghost netting (or other detritus cleaning) or aquatic invasive species, as the principle focus of a project
- construction of a replacement boat launch, pier, fishing platform, etc.
- shoreline restoration, not associated to fish habitat restoration
Step 4. How to apply
To apply for funding:
- complete the proposal form below
- submit the form to your respective regional office by November 28, 2022
Please submit your questions and proposals to the following address:
By email
National headquarters
Provincial and territorial offices
- Alberta: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- British Columbia: DFO.PAC.AERF-FREA.PAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Manitoba: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- New Brunswick: DFO.GLF.AERF-FREA.GLF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Newfoundland and Labrador: DFO.NL.AERF-FREA.NL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Northwest Territories: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Nova Scotia: DFO.MAR.AERF-FREA.MAR.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Nunavut: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Ontario: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Prince Edward Island: DFO.GLF.AERF-FREA.GLF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Québec: DFO.QUE.AERF-QUE.FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Saskatchewan: DFO.AERF-FREA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Yukon: DFO.PAC.AERF-FREA.PAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
How long it will take to process your application
We'll acknowledge the receipt of your application within 5 business days.
You'll be notified on the success or rejection of your application within 13 business days of the funding decision.
If you're a successful applicant, your first payment will be processed within 30 business days of:
- signing the contribution agreement or
- receiving a fully completed report
Under normal circumstances, we'll meet the service standard 90% of the time.
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