Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Harvester Training

• In-class training activities are eligible for 100% funding of tuition costs.
• At-sea mentoring training is funded up to 75% of eligible costs, with the remaining 25% required as a cash contribution from the applicant.
• Funding applies only to tuition-related expenses, including instruction, coordination, teaching materials, and examination fees; travel, accommodation, and student time are not funded.

• The applicant must be one of the 35 Mi’kmaq, Maliseet or Peskotomuhkati First Nations communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or the Gaspé region of Québec, affected by the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision.
• The proposed project must align with the community's training plans and aim to build capacity and support sustainability in commercial fisheries or aquaculture operations.
• The application must include a completed AICFI Harvester Training Application Form and a comprehensive training plan, developed with the support of the Training Advisory Coordinator.
• A letter of support from the community Chief or a Band Council Resolution must be attached to the application.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous commercial fishing enterprises (CFEs) operated by Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Peskotomuhkati First Nations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the Gaspé region of Québec
• Community-owned aquaculture enterprises managed by the above First Nations groups

Who is not eligible

• Companies and organizations that are not among the 35 Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Peskotomuhkati First Nations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the Gaspé region of Québec affected by the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision.

Eligible expenses

• Tuition costs for eligible fisheries and aquaculture training programs.
• Instruction and coordination fees charged by training service providers.
• Costs for teaching materials used in training sessions.
• Transport Canada exam fees and related certification expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Gaspé region of Québec

• Alignment of project objectives with the community’s fisheries training plans and overall capacity building goals.
• Assessment of proposed training providers to ensure methodologies meet industry standards and offer good value for money.
• Completeness and clarity of the submitted application, including a detailed training plan and budget.
• Demonstration of need and justification for the proposed training at this time.
• Availability of required supporting documents, such as a letter of support from the community Chief or Band Council Resolution (BCR).

• All information submitted in the application and supporting documents is treated confidentially by the Program Authority and relevant evaluators.
• Applicants are required to consult with the Training Advisory Coordinator for assistance and review prior to application submission.
• There is no cost to the applicant for the activities conducted by the Training Advisory Coordinator.
• Project expenses incurred before ratification of the Contribution Agreement are done at the applicant’s risk and are not guaranteed for reimbursement.