Open
Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)
Supports Indigenous communities in business and fisheries development
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2026
- Closing date : July 31, 2026
Location
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Overview
The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) provides funding—covering up to 90% of eligible position salaries—to support Indigenous communities in hiring qualified staff and developing business management skills for sustainable commercial fisheries. Eligible activities include hiring key fisheries business personnel, business and technical assistance, governance design, and support for business plan implementation aligned with community development goals.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2026
- Closing date : July 31, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and implementation of a Business Development Plan for a commercial fishing enterprise (CFE).
- Hiring qualified staff to support CFE business operations (e.g., Fisheries Director, Coordinator, Bookkeeper, or Fisheries Management System Coordinator).
- Undertaking business and technical assistance projects to strengthen CFE operations.
- Designing or improving governance and management practices to support sustainable fisheries operations.
- Implementing capacity building initiatives that promote long-term sustainability and economic growth of communal commercial fishing activities.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy (Peskotomuhkati) First Nations communities in the Gaspé region of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia affected by the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision
Who is not eligible
- No specific information is provided regarding companies or industries that are not eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) grant.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, wages, and related costs for positions supporting business operations, such as Fisheries Director, Fisheries Coordinator, Assistant Fisheries Coordinator, Bookkeeper, or Fisheries Management System (FMS) Coordinator.
- Business and technical assistance related to enterprise development.
- Support for governance design and enhancement of management practices.
- Accounting and accountability measures, including enterprise risk management.
- Communications related to business development activities.
- Travel costs directly associated with business operations development.
- Administrative expenses required to implement the Business Development Plan.
Eligible geographic areas
- Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) First Nations in the Gaspé region of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia affected by the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision
Selection criteria
- Alignment of proposed activities with the CFE’s Business Development Plan.
- Clarity and completeness of the application and supporting business case, including a detailed work plan and budget information.
- Support and verification of the application by the Business Development Team (BDT).
- Inclusion of a letter of support from the Chief or a Band Council Resolution.
- Demonstrated capacity to complete proposed activities within the fiscal year.
How to apply
- Step 1: Collaborate with the Business Development Team (BDT)
- Work with BDT member(s) to develop your Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) Business Development Plan.
- Develop a workplan and supporting business case, including a description of the activities, deliverables, and breakdown of funding requested.
- Ensure all activities in the application align with your Business Development Plan, capacity building, and sustainability objectives.
- Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
- Complete the AICFI Capacity Building (Business Development) Application Form.
- Attach all supporting materials, including:
- A copy of the current CFE Business Development Plan.
- Business Development Plan implementation workplan.
- Detailed budget information, indicating expenses and funding sources.
- A letter of support signed by your Chief or a Band Council Resolution (BCR).
- Step 3: Submit the Application
- Send your completed application form and all supporting documents to the AICFI Program Authority at the specified email: AICFI-IPCIA.XNCR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
- Step 4: Application Assessment and Verification
- DFO refers the application to the BDT Leader to confirm their involvement and support in the development and implementation of the Business Development Plan.
- The AICFI Program Authority reviews the application for completeness and verifies the funding request is in line with notional funding guidelines.
- Step 5: Approval and Contribution Agreement
- Once both the BDT and AICFI Program Authority verify and approve the application, a Contribution Agreement is developed.
- The Chief of the First Nation and DFO must ratify the agreement before funding is released.
Additional information
- Support from the Business Development Team (BDT) is provided at no cost to the applicant.
- All information provided in the application and supporting documentation, as well as collaboration with the BDT, will be kept confidential by the Program Authority.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible in the fiscal year, as notional funding may be re-allocated after July 31.
- A letter of support from the Chief or Band Council Resolution must be included with the application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) Program
What is the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) provides funding—covering up to 90% of eligible position salaries—to support Indigenous communities in hiring qualified staff and developing business management skills for sustainable commercial fisheries. Eligible activities include hiring key fisheries business personnel, business and technical assistance, governance design, and support for business plan implementation aligned with community development goals.
How much funding can be received?
Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is July 31, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program?
To be eligible for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program, you must:
Available exclusively to the 35 Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Peskotomuhkati First Nations in the Gaspé region of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia affected by the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision.
Application must be supported by an active CFE Business Development Plan and a letter of support from the Chief or a Band Council Resolution.
What expenses are eligible under Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
Development and implementation of a Business Development Plan for a commercial fishing enterprise (CFE).
Hiring qualified staff to support CFE business operations (e.g., Fisheries Director, Coordinator, Bookkeeper, or Fisheries Management System Coordinator).
Undertaking business and technical assistance projects to strengthen CFE operations.
Designing or improving governance and management practices to support sustainable fisheries operations.
Implementing capacity building initiatives that promote long-term sustainability and economic growth of communal commercial fishing activities.
Who can I contact for more information about the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)?
You can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by email at AICFI-IPCIA.XNCR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Where is the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) available?
The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development) program is available Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island.