Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund

• Projects with annual costs exceeding $250,000 are not eligible for funding.
• The maximum duration of funding is limited to three years.

• The applicant must be a Canadian organization, such as an Indigenous organization, non-profit, charitable group, academic institution, industry association, small business with fewer than 500 employees, or a municipal/local administration or their agency.
• The project must address the prevention, detection, or management of aquatic invasive species.
• The applicant's activities must align with eligible project types, such as awareness, early detection, rapid response, small-scale intervention, or research related to aquatic invasive species.
• The proposal must demonstrate alignment with the program's objectives and national or regional priorities.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous organizations, councils, and communities
• Non-profit organizations
• Charitable organizations
• Academic and research institutions
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses with fewer than 500 employees)
• Industry associations
• Municipal or local administrations and their agencies

Who is not eligible

• Individuals (not businesses or organizations)
• Non-Canadian organizations
• Provincial and territorial governments
• Federal government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations

Eligible expenses

• Expenses related to awareness and education activities, including materials and training sessions on aquatic invasive species prevention.
• Costs for rapid detection and sampling, such as DNA sampling materials, field equipment, and use of boats, drones, or underwater cameras.
• Expenses associated with small-scale intervention following new invasions, including planning, coordination, and containment or removal of invasive species (manual, mechanical, trapping, or netting methods).
• Costs for establishing and operating boat cleaning stations and removing biofouling from boats and port structures.
• Expenses for applying anti-fouling paint on relevant structures.
• Expenditures related to short-term control and management of invasive species at an established site, including removal or containment.
• Research costs aimed at developing prevention, detection, identification, intervention, and control tools specific to aquatic invasive species.

Eligible geographic areas

• Gulf Region (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island)
• Maritimes Region (Nova Scotia)
• Newfoundland and Labrador Region
• Ontario and Prairie Region (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan)
• Québec Region
• Pacific Region (British Columbia and Yukon)

• Project aligns with national and regional priorities of the program.
• Project is well-planned, clearly articulated, and feasible (ability to begin and complete the project successfully).
• Environmental benefits resulting from the project.
• Project involves multiple partners.
• Potential for long-term impact after funding ends.

• An official contribution agreement must be signed before any funds are disbursed.
• Notifications concerning funding decisions will be sent to all applicants no later than December 14, 2023.
• Applicants may request feedback on rejected proposals from regional programme coordinators.
• Selected projects must be implemented no later than April 1, 2024.