Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program

• 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

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

• 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.

• 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.