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Source verified August 3, 2026
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund
Energy efficiency support for fisheries
Latest source updateLast Update: August 3, 2026Latest change: The Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program guidelines were updated with new eligibility, application, and funding rules.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 3, 2026
Latest change: The Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program guidelines were updated with new eligibility, application, and funding rules.
FAEEIF Program Guidelines Updated
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program guidelines were revised to add a new eligibility condition that invoices and purchase orders must be dated on or after the notification of award. The guidelines also narrowed solar PV eligibility by excluding systems under 100 kW DC and now requiring storage, while updating the Study Path, stacking and in-kind treatment, maximum amounts, and review criteria. The application package requirements were expanded to include proof of financial capacity, and the process now includes steering committee review with updated Study Path criteria. The source page that changed is the program guidelines document, not the main program landing page.
Funding available
$ 350,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Who can apply
An aquaculture business in Nova Scotia holding a valid licence and lease from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and in good standing with the relevant regulatory authority
See full eligibility
Overview
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund supports eligible commercial fisheries and aquaculture applicants in Nova Scotia through non-repayable, claims-based contributions to reduce energy use and climate impacts. It funds electrification, renewable energy, operational efficiency, and studies that enable future projects.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase operational productivity
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Supporting the transition to the use of electric vessels, support vehicles, and charging infrastructure (including associated energy storage)
- Supporting adoption of renewables such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biofuel
- Implementation of technical improvements in facilities such as equipment/system purchases or retrofits that result in energy reduction as compared to an established baseline
- Support studies that involve a seafood sector partner and help develop future energy efficiency projects in the Nova Scotia seafood sector
Documents Needed
- Incorporation documents
- Supplier quotes for the project
- Relevant operating permits and licensing
- Any other documents required to determine how the project meets fund objectives
- Business Plan for requests > $100K
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- An aquaculture business in Nova Scotia holding a valid licence and lease from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and in good standing with the relevant regulatory authority
- A commercial fish harvester or business operating in Nova Scotia, holding a valid licence from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and in good standing with the relevant regulatory authority
- A fish buying or processing business registered and licensed in Nova Scotia and in good standing, holding a valid licence from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
- A business or organization registered in Nova Scotia that directly supports the commercial fisheries and aquaculture industries
Who is not eligible
- Businesses outside Nova Scotia
- Applicants that are not the end user of the project
- Ongoing, initiated, or already implemented projects
Eligible expenses
- Costs directly related to the implementation of the project (e.g., equipment, materials, and labour)
- Professional services directly required for project execution (e.g., engineering or consulting fees)
- Costs associated with project evaluation, monitoring, and reporting
- Permitting, regulatory, and certification expenses necessary for the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Base Case project cost (i.e. project expenses that are not directly associated with or necessary for the energy-efficient upgrade component(s) of the project)
- General operational or administrative business expenses that are not directly tied to the project
- Fines, penalties, or legal fees
- Costs incurred prior to the approval of the funding agreement
- Solar PV systems less than 100 kW DC are not eligible to receive FAEEIF funding
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Selection criteria
- Evaluation of first-year GHG emissions reduction per funding dollar spent relative to other applications received in the same funding path; for the Study Path, if no first-year GHG savings exist, potential or enabling GHG savings will be considered.
- Innovation: Consideration provided for first adopters of new technologies or methods in the Nova Scotia fishing industry.
- Co-Benefits and Long-Term Impact to the sector and/or community, including cost effective implementation of innovative technology, knowledge transfer, job creation, economic growth, and labour market impacts.
- Applications should demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Organizational capacity, project budget, and work plan, including due diligence with Transport Canada, marine safety compliance, insurance requirements, data logging, reasonable justification for going electric or hybrid, exposure to other vessels, site assessment with potential kWh savings, demand response, and a competitive target of $140-$170/tCO2e.
How to apply
- Submit the application form for the selected funding path and mandatory inclusions via email to faeeif@efficiencyns.ca in advance of the application deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Efficiency Nova Scotia, and additional information may be requested.
- Each application is reviewed and scored by the FAEEIF team and reviewed by the FAEEIF Steering Committee, and top-scored projects are reviewed against expected fund outcomes before funding recommendations are presented to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for approval.
- An Energy Manager will contact the successful applicant to advise on the next steps, and if the application is successful, a claim form will be provided.
- The client executes the project, keeps FAEEIF informed of progress, and submits the claim form for incentive payment when the project is finished.
- FAEEIF performs quality assurance to ensure project completion meets the required criteria, payment is sent to the successful applicant, and projects must be completed and claims submitted prior to the project completion date noted on the Claim Form. Extensions may be granted at Efficiency Nova Scotia’s discretion upon written request as noted on the Claim Form.
Additional information
- Successful applicants must participate in a Net Zero Roadmap survey and provide operational energy data as a condition to receive their FAEEIF funding.
- Funding will be limited to one project per applicant organization per round of funding.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund Program
What is the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund?
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund supports eligible commercial fisheries and aquaculture applicants in Nova Scotia through non-repayable, claims-based contributions to reduce energy use and climate impacts. It funds electrification, renewable energy, operational efficiency, and studies that enable future projects.
How much funding can be received?
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $350,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program, you must:
Be the end user of the proposed project
Have legal capacity to operate in Nova Scotia
Be in good standing with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board and other provincial and federal regulatory bodies
What expenses are eligible under Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund?
Supporting the transition to the use of electric vessels, support vehicles, and charging infrastructure (including associated energy storage)
Supporting adoption of renewables such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biofuel
Implementation of technical improvements in facilities such as equipment/system purchases or retrofits that result in energy reduction as compared to an established baseline
Support studies that involve a seafood sector partner and help develop future energy efficiency projects in the Nova Scotia seafood sector
Who can I contact for more information about the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund?
You can contact Efficiency Nova Scotia by email at faeeif@efficiencyns.ca or by phone at 18779996035.
Where is the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund available?
The Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund is a Grant and Funding