Closed
Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education
Funding for EV test drives and charging education outreach programs
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : February 24, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Natural Resources Canada will soon open a call for proposals to fund national or underserved-region outreach and education projects that measurably increase public, industry, and local government knowledge and confidence in light-duty EV charging, charging infrastructure, and EV ownership and operation (maximum funding amount not specified). Eligible activities include hands-on outreach campaigns and events such as EV test drives with charging demonstrations, experiential charging education (including winter/cold-weather experiences), and the development of educational resources and training for enablers like fleet managers, municipal planners, utilities, educators, and first responders.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : February 24, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- EV test-drive campaigns paired with hands-on charging demonstrations for the general public and commercial drivers (including winter/cold-weather test drives where relevant).
- Outreach campaigns that deliver hands-on learning to improve knowledge and confidence in light-duty EV charging, charging infrastructure, ownership and operation.
- Events and experiential programs such as test-drive/trial programs, mobile showcases, and ambassador or mentorship programs, including in underserved regions/communities.
- Development of resources and education for “enablers” (e.g., corporate decision-makers, fleet managers, municipal planners/governments, EV salespeople, utilities, schoolteachers, first responders) focused on EV charging and charging infrastructure deployment.
- Interactive educational activities for enablers on EV charging infrastructure policy and practical deployment topics (e.g., permitting and purchasing) and on EV ownership/operation.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Electricity or gas utilities
- Private sector companies
- Industry associations
- Research associations
- Standards development organizations
Who is not eligible
- Softwood lumber companies, and companies that are vertically integrated with softwood lumber companies.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (projects must be national in reach).
- Underserved regions of Canada, including: Territories.
- Underserved regions of Canada, including: Prairie Provinces.
- Underserved regions of Canada, including: Atlantic Canada.
- Underserved regions of Canada, including: Rural areas in Canada.
- Underserved regions of Canada, including: Marginalized or racialized urban communities in Canada.
Additional information
- A call for proposals is expected to open in the coming weeks.
- Successful projects are anticipated to start in spring 2026 and end no later than September 30, 2027.
- Projects may begin after receiving a Letter of Conditional Approval from NRCan (before signing the contribution agreement), but any costs incurred before the agreement is signed are not eligible for NRCan reimbursement.
- NRCan service standards include assessing applications and issuing an approval/rejection notification within 100 days of the call for proposal deadline (under normal circumstances).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education?
Natural Resources Canada will soon open a call for proposals to fund national or underserved-region outreach and education projects that measurably increase public, industry, and local government knowledge and confidence in light-duty EV charging, charging infrastructure, and EV ownership and operation (maximum funding amount not specified). Eligible activities include hands-on outreach campaigns and events such as EV test drives with charging demonstrations, experiential charging education (including winter/cold-weather experiences), and the development of educational resources and training for enablers like fleet managers, municipal planners, utilities, educators, and first responders.
Who is eligible for the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education program?
To be eligible for the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education program, you must:
Be a legal entity incorporated/registered in Canada (for-profit or not-for-profit), or an international legal entity incorporated/registered abroad.
Project must be national in reach or focused on an underserved Canadian region.
Softwood lumber companies (and vertically integrated with them) are not eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education?
EV test-drive campaigns paired with hands-on charging demonstrations for the general public and commercial drivers (including winter/cold-weather test drives where relevant).
Outreach campaigns that deliver hands-on learning to improve knowledge and confidence in light-duty EV charging, charging infrastructure, ownership and operation.
Events and experiential programs such as test-drive/trial programs, mobile showcases, and ambassador or mentorship programs, including in underserved regions/communities.
Development of resources and education for “enablers” (e.g., corporate decision-makers, fleet managers, municipal planners/governments, EV salespeople, utilities, schoolteachers, first responders) focused on EV charging and charging infrastructure deployment.
Interactive educational activities for enablers on EV charging infrastructure policy and practical deployment topics (e.g., permitting and purchasing) and on EV ownership/operation.
Who can I contact for more information about the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at awareness-projects.projets-de-sensibilisation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education available?
The Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education program is available across Canada.
Is the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education?
Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education is funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)