First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP)

• The applicant must be a First Nations community or organization recognized under the Indian Act.
• Eligible applicants include First Nations communities on reserve and organizations south of the 60° parallel in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, or Atlantic Canada.
• Bands, districts, councils, tribal councils and associations, governments of self-governing First Nations communities and regions, and non-government or voluntary associations (including non-profit corporations working on behalf of or with a First Nations community) are eligible.
• Projects must involve partnership with qualified scientific or academic professionals as specified for the project type.

Who is eligible?

• First Nations communities on reserve (south of the 60° parallel: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada)
• First Nations bands, districts, and councils
• First Nations tribal councils and associations
• Governments of self-governing First Nations communities and regions
• First Nations non-government and voluntary associations and organizations, including non-profit corporations working on behalf of or in partnership with a First Nations community

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations that are not recognized First Nations communities or First Nations organizations under the Indian Act.
• Organizations based in British Columbia (these should apply through the First Nations Health Authority Environmental Contaminants Program instead).
• For-profit businesses not working on behalf of or in partnership with a First Nations community.
• Entities without a partnership with academically qualified scientists as required for project types.

Eligible geographic areas

• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Alberta
• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Manitoba
• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Saskatchewan
• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Ontario
• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Quebec
• First Nations communities on reserve and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel in Atlantic Canada

• Inclusion of scientifically qualified partners appropriate to the project type (e.g., academically trained scientists for primary research; relevant degrees and expertise for knowledge integration and risk communication projects).
• Clear identification, justification, and articulation of the environmental health risk associated with contaminants included in the proposal.

• The deadline to submit a proposal is September 22, 2025, at 11:59 pm Mountain time.
• The program accepts proposals for any environmental contaminants, provided the associated human health risk is clearly justified in the application.
• The scientific or academic partners required must be explicitly identified in the proposal.
• Program staff are available to review and provide feedback on draft proposals before final submission.