Closed
Source change captured:
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
Closed clean energy support for rural and remote communities
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Funding available
$ 50,000,000
Location
Canada
Who can apply
First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities, Indigenous governments, tribal councils, development corporations and other Indigenous organizations
See full eligibility
Overview
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities is a federal program for Indigenous, rural, and remote communities that is fully committed and no longer accepting applications. It was allocated $220 million over 8 years plus an additional $233 million over 5 years to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, and capacity building projects.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 3
Activities funded
- Capacity building activities, including training, skills and curriculum development, energy coordinators, energy planning, workshops, events and engagement
- Energy efficiency projects and demand-side management pilot projects, including building retrofits, heat recovery, efficient lighting, controls and sensors
- Project planning activities such as feasibility studies, resource assessment, design and engineering, environmental assessments and stakeholder engagement
- Deployment of renewable electricity generation or heating systems, including solar photovoltaics, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass heating, district heating, geothermal, heat pumps, solar thermal, energy storage, grid modernization and distribution system upgrades
- Research, development and demonstration activities, including monitoring and optimization of existing systems, innovative technologies and green hydrogen evaluation
Documents Needed
- Project application form
- Written proposal with a statement of work detailing the proposed project activities
- Detailed budget template
- Letter(s) confirming the partnership
- Application signed by an authorized officer of the applicant organization
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
CERRC applications closed
The CERRC funding opportunities page now says the program is fully committed, no longer accepting applications, and scheduled to officially close on March 31, 2027.
The CERRC funding opportunities page now states that the program is fully committed and is no longer accepting applications under any funding stream. It also adds an official close date of March 31, 2027. The page no longer frames submissions as being waitlisted or kept under ongoing review, so applicants are now directed to treat CERRC as closed for new applications. Contact and form details were unchanged.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities, Indigenous governments, tribal councils, development corporations and other Indigenous organizations
- Legally registered or incorporated Canadian for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
- Provincial, territorial, regional or municipal governments and related organizations
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for employees on the recipient’s payroll, for actual time spent on the project
- Overhead expenditures directly related to the project, such as office operating expenses, limited to 15% of total eligible expenditures
- Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services and fees
- Capital expenditures for equipment and materials, including purchase, installation, testing, commissioning, warranty, diagnostic tools and instruments
- Travel directly required for project delivery, training and workshops, and other project-related costs such as field-testing, printing, translation, construction insurance, licence fees and permits, laboratory and field supplies, facility expenses for seminars and conference room rentals excluding hospitality, data collection services, and, for Indigenous organizations, Indigenous ceremony costs and honoraria
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- The reimbursable portion of Federal and Territorial/Provincial Taxes and in-kind costs are not reimbursable, although they may be included as part of total project costs
- Land purchase
- Financing charges and interest on loans
- Costs incurred prior to project approval
Eligible geographic areas
- Northern remote communities: Northwest Territories, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut and Yukon Territory
Selection criteria
- Preference may be given to projects that align with one or more objectives in Section 2.0.
- Preference may be given to projects that are Indigenous-led or partnered and support UNDRIP.
- Preference may be given to projects that demonstrate clear benefits across technical, economic and social, environmental, or other categories and advance SDGs.
- Preference may be given to shovel-ready deployment or demonstration projects where engineering is complete, permits are in place, and all other funding is secured.
- When necessary, regional and distinction-based distribution may be considered in the assessment process.
Processing and Agreement
- Completed and signed applications that meet the criteria are accepted on a first come, first served basis; the application-received date is when the application is considered complete.
- Regional program officers review the application for completeness and confirm it meets all requirements.
- Eligible projects are assessed individually on program criteria and objectives, with supporting documentation considered where relevant.
- If the reviewers determine that the project and applicant are eligible and meet all requirements, the project is brought for approval.
- Funding recipients must report on environmental, social and economic benefits, activities and expenditures, and financial statements under the contribution agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program Program
What is the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program?
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities is a federal program for Indigenous, rural, and remote communities that is fully committed and no longer accepting applications. It was allocated $220 million over 8 years plus an additional $233 million over 5 years to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, and capacity building projects.
How much funding can be received?
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program program?
To be eligible for the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program program, you must:
The project must support clean energy transition in Indigenous, rural or remote communities.
The project must reduce fossil fuel use for heating and/or electricity.
The project must fit an eligible activity area such as capacity building, energy efficiency, project planning, deployment, or research, development and demonstration.
What expenses are eligible under Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program?
Salaries and benefits for employees on the recipient’s payroll, for actual time spent on the project
Overhead expenditures directly related to the project, such as office operating expenses, limited to 15% of total eligible expenditures
Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services and fees
Capital expenditures for equipment and materials, including purchase, installation, testing, commissioning, warranty, diagnostic tools and instruments
Travel directly required for project delivery, training and workshops, and other project-related costs such as field-testing, printing, translation, construction insurance, licence fees and permits, laboratory and field supplies, facility expenses for seminars and conference room rentals excluding hospitality, data collection services, and, for Indigenous organizations, Indigenous ceremony costs and honoraria
Who can I contact for more information about the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at remoteenergy-energieadistance@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program available?
The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program is a Grant and Funding