Closed
Source verified October 2, 2026
Ecosystem Services Grant Program
Supports ecosystem services conservation in Alberta
Get notified when Ecosystem Services Grant Program reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: September 23, 2026Latest change: The Ecosystem Services Grant Program now lists an additional program guide and adds new exclusions for certain land and funding situations.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 23, 2026
Latest change: The Ecosystem Services Grant Program now lists an additional program guide and adds new exclusions for certain land and funding situations.
Program guide updated with new exclusions
An additional program guide is now listed for the Ecosystem Services Grant Program, indicating updated guidance is available for applicants. The program’s eligibility information also adds exclusions for projects on municipal, provincial Crown, and federal land, excludes retention payments for land already under conservation easement, and excludes improvement payments when the landowner has already received other funding for that project.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
September 16, 2027
Opened June 1, 2027
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program offers grant funding to eligible non-profit organizations, NGOs, and municipalities in Alberta to support direct payments to landowners for conserving and enhancing natural assets through ecosystem services programs. The program funds activities such as habitat agreements, conservation initiatives, wetland stewardship, best management practices, and restoration projects, with no perpetual land agreements required; the specific maximum funding amount is not specified in the program guide.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
Target groups
- General public
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 3
Activities funded
- Retaining intact native habitat.
- Improving intact native habitat.
- Restoring disturbed or cultivated lands.
- Enhancing ecosystem services on disturbed or cultivated lands.
Documents Needed
- Ecosystem Services Grant Program Grant Application form
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered non-profit organizations
- Non-governmental organizations registered under a government act
- Municipalities
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations or companies
- Projects on municipal land, provincial Crown land, or federal land
- Retention payments for land that is already conserved, including land with a conservation easement
- Projects that a landowner has already received other funding for
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Salary and benefits of existing staff that are fully funded by other sources.
- Expenditures or costs that are not approved, expenses incurred outside of the grant term, or expenses for a proposal where delivery of an ecosystem services program is not the primary outcome.
- The Ecosystem Services Grant Program will not provide funding for provisioning services.
- Projects on municipal land, provincial Crown land, or Federal land, payments to private landowners outside of Alberta, retention payments for land already conserved, and landowner payments for a project that has already received other funding.
- Purchase of equipment or fleet, education or outreach not tied to a specific approved ecosystem services program, donations to other organizations, Goods and Services Tax (GST) refundable portion, Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) payments, and individual capital asset purchases exceeding $5,000.
Selection criteria
- Fit with the Ecosystem Development Partnerships Program objectives and intended outcomes.
How to apply
- Review the program guide carefully before submitting an application.
- Download a copy of the grant application form to complete it.
- Complete and submit the Ecosystem Services Grant Program Grant Application Form to ESGP@gov.ab.ca no later than 11:59pm (MDT) on September 15.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed and evaluated by Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers to determine fit with the program objectives and intended outcomes.
- Successful applicants will be invited to submit a Full Proposal and assigned a Project Advisor.
- Applicants may be requested to present their proposed project and/or provide additional information throughout the review.
Additional information
- Grant recipients must quantify ecosystem services using ecosystem services indicators.
- Grant recipients will receive the program funds at the start of the grant term.
- By the end of the grant term, all landowners who will be paid with grant funds must be enrolled.
- Grant recipients may apply in future grant intakes to expand their program or fund subsequent agreements with enrolled landowners whose terms have expired.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ecosystem Services Grant Program Program
What is the Ecosystem Services Grant Program?
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program offers grant funding to eligible non-profit organizations, NGOs, and municipalities in Alberta to support direct payments to landowners for conserving and enhancing natural assets through ecosystem services programs. The program funds activities such as habitat agreements, conservation initiatives, wetland stewardship, best management practices, and restoration projects, with no perpetual land agreements required; the specific maximum funding amount is not specified in the program guide.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 16, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program, you must:
The applicant must be a registered non-profit organization, a registered non-governmental organization, or a municipality.
The program must be delivered in Alberta.
The application must show how the program will enroll natural assets and quantify ecosystem services.
What expenses are eligible under Ecosystem Services Grant Program?
Retaining intact native habitat.
Improving intact native habitat.
Restoring disturbed or cultivated lands.
Enhancing ecosystem services on disturbed or cultivated lands.
Who can I contact for more information about the Ecosystem Services Grant Program?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at ESGP@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the Ecosystem Services Grant Program available?
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Ecosystem Services Grant Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Ecosystem Services Grant Program is a Grant and Funding