Closed
Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA)
Supports aquatic habitat conservation, restoration, and improvement projects
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : December 5, 2025
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Aquatic Habitat Quality Improvement (AQHA) program provides financial support covering up to 75% of eligible project costs to conserve, restore, or improve aquatic habitats for fish species of interest, with a focus on increasing wildlife productivity and biodiversity. Eligible activities include habitat planning and diagnostics, restoration works, knowledge transfer, and implementation of best management practices for aquatic environments.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : December 5, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Animal Protection
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects aiming to conserve, enhance, or restore the habitat of fish species important for recreational fishing.
- Studies to diagnose aquatic habitat issues and develop recommendations for habitat improvement or restoration.
- Implementation of habitat enhancement or restoration work, such as improving spawning areas or removing obstacles to fish migration.
- Initiatives to restore original biodiversity, particularly projects addressing invasive fish species and supporting brook trout populations through approved methods.
- Knowledge transfer activities, including educating stakeholders or users on protecting and restoring aquatic habitats through workshops, guides, or demonstration sites.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Legally constituted public organizations engaged in wildlife habitat conservation and enhancement
- Legally constituted private organizations engaged in wildlife habitat conservation and enhancement
- Local or regional organizations involved in conservation or management of aquatic habitats
- Non-profit organizations dedicated to the stewardship or restoration of aquatic environments
- Municipal organizations involved in habitat conservation within Quebec
Who is not eligible
- Individuals (private persons) cannot apply.
- Businesses and organizations not legally constituted are not eligible.
- Organizations based on or seeking to conduct projects on federal lands or in fishing ponds are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and regular benefits related to project coordination, supervision, execution, and follow-up, including travel expenses.
- Fees for specialists and expert consultants.
- Administrative and office expenses (e.g., office rent, supplies, photocopying, phone, postage, accounting), up to 10% of total eligible expenses.
- Rental or depreciation costs for computer equipment during the project, with annual depreciation up to 33% of equipment value (over three years from purchase date).
- Purchase of materials, tools, and light equipment, as well as rental costs for machinery or equipment necessary for project completion.
- Transportation costs and equipment installation directly related to project execution.
- Expenses to accelerate the recolonization of a species in a newly enhanced habitat, limited to 10% of the total project value.
- In-kind contributions such as volunteer work, equipment loans, or material donations, calculated at rates equal to or below regional standards.
Eligible geographic areas
- Province of Quebec (excluding federal lands and fishing ponds)
- Nordic territory of Quebec (north of the 49th parallel, the St. Lawrence River, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence) for specific funding streams
Additional information
- The program gives priority to projects eligible for specific funds, such as those for Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and northern wildlife.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact a program manager prior to submitting their application to validate project relevance and eligibility.
- The project promoter is required to sign a protocol agreeing to the terms of the funding and must provide annual follow-up and maintenance reports for habitat developments funded by the Foundation for three years following completion.
- Site inspections may take place during the three years after project completion to ensure proper maintenance of supported developments.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA)?
The Aquatic Habitat Quality Improvement (AQHA) program provides financial support covering up to 75% of eligible project costs to conserve, restore, or improve aquatic habitats for fish species of interest, with a focus on increasing wildlife productivity and biodiversity. Eligible activities include habitat planning and diagnostics, restoration works, knowledge transfer, and implementation of best management practices for aquatic environments.
How much funding can be received?
Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 5, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) program?
To be eligible for the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) program, you must:
The applicant must be a legally constituted public or private organization involved in wildlife habitat conservation, enhancement, and management.
Individuals are not eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA)?
Projects aiming to conserve, enhance, or restore the habitat of fish species important for recreational fishing.
Studies to diagnose aquatic habitat issues and develop recommendations for habitat improvement or restoration.
Implementation of habitat enhancement or restoration work, such as improving spawning areas or removing obstacles to fish migration.
Initiatives to restore original biodiversity, particularly projects addressing invasive fish species and supporting brook trout populations through approved methods.
Knowledge transfer activities, including educating stakeholders or users on protecting and restoring aquatic habitats through workshops, guides, or demonstration sites.
Who can I contact for more information about the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA)?
You can contact Quebec Wildlife Foundation (FFQ) by email at alexandre.rasiulis@fondationdelafaune.qc.ca or by phone at 4186447926.
Where is the Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) available?
The Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA) program is available the province of Quebec.
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