Closed
Source verified August 2, 2026
Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
Supports projects improving Fraser River Basin water quality and ecosystem health
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Latest source updateLast Update: May 14, 2026Latest change: The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative now says the next call for applications is planned for late Summer/early Fall 2026, with funding starting April 1, 2027.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 14, 2026
Latest change: The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative now says the next call for applications is planned for late Summer/early Fall 2026, with funding starting April 1, 2027.
Fraser River FEI timeline updated
The grant page now includes a planned next call for applications in late Summer/early Fall 2026 and confirms that funding would start on April 1, 2027. The notice also still says the current application period is closed, while the contact email remains available for inquiries.
Funding available
$ 200,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative provides up to $200,000 per project to support Canadian-based organizations in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin. It funds projects that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health through science and knowledge, collaboration and engagement, and actions that reduce nutrients, contaminants, or sediments.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 100 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
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
- Measuring, monitoring, and/or analysis of indicators of aquatic ecosystem changes or health that inform trends over time and/or identification of priorities through an integrated planning process.
- Addressing knowledge, data, or research gaps on the impacts of wildfires or other stressors related to nutrient, contaminant, sediment transport, or cumulative impacts of land use changes or disturbance.
- Indigenous-led efforts that enable knowledge sharing and foster a more holistic understanding, including storytelling, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Facilitating or enabling knowledge sharing and multi-partner collaborative processes that identify priorities and develop strategies at various scales.
- Implementation of beneficial management practices that reduce the negative impacts of nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments in aquatic ecosystems, and implementing actions identified through a water sustainability plan, watershed strategy, water management policy, or other similar collaboratively-developed mechanism.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian-based organizations.
- Not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations.
- Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, communities, and associations.
- Research, academic and educational institutions; regional, municipal and local governments; and local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs.
- For-profit organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
Who is not eligible
- Federal government organizations.
- Provincial or territorial government organizations.
Eligible expenses
- Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits.
- Management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, and legal fees.
- Hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses that are attributed directly to carrying out the project, including Indigenous ceremonial offerings, costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony, and honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities.
- Materials and supplies costs; printing, production, and distribution costs; equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental; vehicle rental and operation costs; and contractors required to perform activities related to the project.
- A reasonable share (20% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery; any GST/HST not reimbursable by the Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Standalone monitoring or data collection (must be part of a broader trend analysis or an integrated planning process).
- Single-issue “action” activities such as stream clean-ups, attending conferences, training, workshops, or meetings.
- Infrastructure capital or operating costs (e.g., dikes, sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds).
- Land purchase or land securement costs.
- Lobbyist fees.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin (British Columbia).
Selection criteria
- Demonstrates strong linkages to the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative priorities.
- Builds partnerships through collaboration with other organizations; leverages financial and in-kind resources.
- Is scientifically and/or technically sound.
- Project management capacity and financial management capacity.
- Indigenous-led efforts and/or Knowledge Systems; builds on/integrates existing research and Knowledge/Indigenous Knowledge; communication of results and knowledge.
How to apply
- Submit your project proposal using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s online application system.
- Register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin your application.
- Complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve any errors.
Processing and Agreement
- Program staff conduct an administrative review to confirm the application is complete and eligible (incomplete or ineligible applications are not considered further).
- Highly technical projects may undergo a technical review by subject-matter experts to assess scientific and technical feasibility (including methodology).
- An Application Review Committee evaluates eligible applications against the program priorities, performance indicators, and evaluation criteria.
- All applicants are notified of the decision in writing by email (successful and unsuccessful).
- If approved, the Canada Water Agency negotiates a Contribution Agreement and requires ongoing reporting; payments are tied to approved reports, with a final report required to release the final payment (minimum 10% holdback).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Program
What is the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative provides up to $200,000 per project to support Canadian-based organizations in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin. It funds projects that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health through science and knowledge, collaboration and engagement, and actions that reduce nutrients, contaminants, or sediments.
How much funding can be received?
Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program, you must:
The applicant must be a Canadian-based organization.
The project must be implemented within the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin.
The project must address water quality and aquatic ecosystem health through at least one program priority: Advancing Science and Knowledge, Collaboration and Engagement, or Taking Action to reduce Nutrients, Contaminants and/or Sediments.
What expenses are eligible under Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
Measuring, monitoring, and/or analysis of indicators of aquatic ecosystem changes or health that inform trends over time and/or identification of priorities through an integrated planning process.
Addressing knowledge, data, or research gaps on the impacts of wildfires or other stressors related to nutrient, contaminant, sediment transport, or cumulative impacts of land use changes or disturbance.
Indigenous-led efforts that enable knowledge sharing and foster a more holistic understanding, including storytelling, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Facilitating or enabling knowledge sharing and multi-partner collaborative processes that identify priorities and develop strategies at various scales.
Implementation of beneficial management practices that reduce the negative impacts of nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments in aquatic ecosystems, and implementing actions identified through a water sustainability plan, watershed strategy, water management policy, or other similar collaboratively-developed mechanism.
Who can I contact for more information about the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
You can contact Canada Water Agency (CWA) by email at Fraser@cwa-aec.gc.ca.
Where is the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative available?
The Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is a Grant and Funding