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EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada - Canada
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Source verified September 17, 2026

EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada

Funding for freshwater innovation across Canada
Offered by
Canada Water Agency (CWA)
Official source: canada.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: September 17, 2026
Latest change: EcoAction Stream 2 is open again, with an application deadline of September 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST and updated funding, eligibility, and application instructions.
View change
EcoAction Stream 2 reopened with new deadline and updated rules
EcoAction Stream 2 is now open for applications, with a deadline of September 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST. The funding period also shifted so projects must begin in fiscal year 2027/28 and be completed by March 31, 2029. The page now adds Canadian-supplier prioritization guidance and a consent-to-share option during submission, while removing two previously listed ineligible activities. It also states that requests over $200,000 will not be considered during eligibility review.
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 200,000
Deadline
September 23, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Not-for-profit organizations

See full eligibility

Overview

EcoAction Stream 2 provides funding of up to $200,000 for freshwater sustainability and innovation projects in Canada. It supports innovative technologies, circular economy solutions, and freshwater data and knowledge initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 200,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 25,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • 100 employees maximum
Audience
  • All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Research
  • Environment
  • Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
  • General public
  • Indigenous peoples
  • Rural / Remote communities
  • Nonprofits / charities
  • Academia / students
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • National

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Activities funded

  • Developing, testing, or demonstrating innovative freshwater tools, technologies, and techniques that can be applied in multiple regions across Canada
  • Scaling up or transferring proven freshwater tools, technologies, and techniques to other locations or regions across Canada
  • Freshwater-related studies or projects that improve circular economy opportunities and enhance climate resilience, local economic growth, or value-chain efficiencies
  • Improving freshwater data accessibility, usability, or interoperability to support decision-making and stewardship
  • Projects that integrate diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives, to inform freshwater stewardship and decision-making

Documents Needed

  • Project application submitted through GCEMS
  • Project Budget describing matching funds, including cash or in-kind sources and collaborations
  • Identification of any required permits or authorizations in the application
  • Project work plan including the timeline for obtaining approvals if permits or authorizations have not yet been obtained

Official resources

Official page

Eco Action Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Municipal and local governments
  • Research, academic, and educational institutions
  • For-profit small businesses and companies with fewer than 100 employees
  • Indigenous organizations, governments, and authorities

Who is not eligible

  • Organizations outside Canada
  • Projects already underway or completed before the agreement is signed
  • Projects focused on brackish water or saltwater activities
  • Projects that are mainly for beautification, lobbying, or fundraising
  • Ongoing core organizational activities

Eligible expenses

  • Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
  • Contractors and management or professional service costs, including accounting, monitoring, communications, translation, audit, and legal fees
  • Hospitality, travel, venues or conference expenses, and costs associated with Indigenous participation, ceremonies, and honoraria for Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers
  • Materials and supplies; printing, production and distribution; equipment purchases or rentals; and vehicle rental and operational costs
  • Land securement costs and a reasonable share of overhead or administrative costs directly attributed to the project, up to 15%

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Projects that do not address at least one Stream 2 objective, are already underway, are outside Canada, or are implemented and completed before a contribution agreement is signed
  • Brackish water or saltwater activities, projects focused primarily on sampling or data collection, and planning without a direct-action component and measurable results
  • Ongoing core organizational activities, annual or regular organizational events or campaigns, attending general conferences, recreational purposes, or projects designed only to beautify an area
  • Projects required by law or mandated by a level of government, political lobbying, advocacy or fundraising activities, and capital or operating costs of municipal infrastructure projects
  • Capital asset purchases over $10,000 with a useful life of more than one year, infrastructure construction except natural infrastructure, decontamination of sites, land acquisition, vehicle purchase, incentives or rebates, and further disbursement of funds to a third-party recipient

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Selection criteria

  • Quality and completeness of the application
  • Scientific and technical feasibility, including methodology
  • Program priorities and criteria considered in the project evaluation and approval process
  • Priority may be given to projects that prioritize Canadian suppliers, materials, or content

How to apply

  • Use GCEMS to create and submit the project application.
  • Complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow time to resolve any errors.
  • Submit the application by the deadline, or it will not be considered.

Processing and Agreement

  • Completed applications undergo a three-stage review: administrative eligibility review, technical review, and Application Review Committee review.
  • All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, are notified in writing.
  • Approved applicants are contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement.
  • Each Contribution Agreement must include written confirmation of all funding sources, a summary of project design, delivery, progress evaluations and anticipated results, and a budget forecast before it can be signed.
  • Approved recipients must report throughout the project, payments are based on project cashflow and reporting, and the final payment is held back by a minimum of 10% until the final report is submitted and approved by CWA.

Additional information

  • Projects can be single-year or multi-year.
  • Funding applications are merit-based and competitive.
  • At least one performance indicator must be identified.
  • The current application period is closed.

Contacts

EcoActionStream2-EcoActionVolet2@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada Program

What is the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada?

EcoAction Stream 2 provides funding of up to $200,000 for freshwater sustainability and innovation projects in Canada. It supports innovative technologies, circular economy solutions, and freshwater data and knowledge initiatives.

How much funding can be received?

EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is September 23, 2026.

Who is eligible for the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada program?

To be eligible for the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada program, you must: Must address a program objective Must show measurable results Must be implemented in Canada

What expenses are eligible under EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada?

Developing, testing, or demonstrating innovative freshwater tools, technologies, and techniques that can be applied in multiple regions across Canada Scaling up or transferring proven freshwater tools, technologies, and techniques to other locations or regions across Canada Freshwater-related studies or projects that improve circular economy opportunities and enhance climate resilience, local economic growth, or value-chain efficiencies Improving freshwater data accessibility, usability, or interoperability to support decision-making and stewardship Projects that integrate diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives, to inform freshwater stewardship and decision-making

Who can I contact for more information about the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada?

You can contact Canada Water Agency (CWA) by email at EcoActionStream2-EcoActionVolet2@cwa-aec.gc.ca.

Where is the EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada available?

The EcoAction — Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada program is available across Canada.