Closed
Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
Supports projects improving Fraser River Basin water quality and ecosystem health
Last Update: January 7, 2026
Funding available
$ 200,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative provides up to $200,000 per project to support partner-led projects that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin. Eligible activities include advancing science and knowledge (including monitoring tied to trend analysis or integrated planning), collaboration and engagement, and on-the-ground actions to reduce nutrients, contaminants, and/or sediments.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
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
- Conduct projects in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health by advancing science and knowledge on nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments (for example, monitoring and analysis that supports trend analysis and/or an integrated watershed planning process).
- Undertake research or analysis to address knowledge gaps on nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments, including impacts of wildfires or cumulative land-use disturbance.
- Deliver Indigenous-led initiatives that support knowledge sharing for freshwater stewardship (for example, storytelling, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, including bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems).
- Run collaboration and engagement initiatives that build partnerships and support joint priority-setting and strategy development to improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health (for example, multi-partner assessments, state of ecosystem reporting, or action plans).
- Implement on-the-ground actions that reduce nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments (for example, beneficial management practices or actions identified through a watershed sustainability plan, watershed strategy, or water management policy).
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations (charities, volunteer organizations, professional associations, NGOs)
- Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, communities, and associations
- Coalitions and networks of organizations
- Research, academic, and educational institutions
- For-profit organizations (small businesses with fewer than 100 employees)
Who is not eligible
- Federal government organizations.
- Provincial or territorial government organizations.
- For-profit companies with 100 or more employees.
Eligible expenses
- Project staff salaries and benefits.
- Professional and management services (e.g., accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, legal fees).
- Travel, hospitality, and venue/conference costs directly required to deliver the project (per Treasury Board directives), including Indigenous ceremonial offerings used during meetings or ceremonies (e.g., traditional medicines, cultural foods, tea, sacred plants).
- Costs for Indigenous participation or ceremonies.
- Honoraria for Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to participation activities (including translation/interpretation, leading opening/closing ceremonies or prayers, sharing Traditional Knowledge and protocols, demonstrating traditional art and practices).
- Materials and supplies.
- Printing, production, and distribution.
- Equipment and capital assets (purchase or rental).
- Vehicle rental and operating costs.
- Contractor fees for work required to carry out project activities.
- Overhead/administrative costs directly tied to project delivery (up to 20%).
- Non-reimbursable GST/HST and non-reimbursable PST.
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).
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).
Additional information
- The current application submission period is closed; future calls may be offered.
- Projects that are not funded may be re-submitted in a future call for applications.
- Unsuccessful applications are not retained for future use.
- Approved projects require ongoing reporting during delivery and a final report at project completion; a minimum 10% holdback is released after the final report is submitted and approved.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. 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 Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative provides up to $200,000 per project to support partner-led projects that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin. Eligible activities include advancing science and knowledge (including monitoring tied to trend analysis or integrated planning), collaboration and engagement, and on-the-ground actions to reduce nutrients, contaminants, and/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:
Canadian-based organization (including for-profit with fewer than 100 employees).
Project implemented in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin (British Columbia).
Federal and provincial/territorial governments are not eligible recipients.
What expenses are eligible under Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
Conduct projects in the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin that improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health by advancing science and knowledge on nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments (for example, monitoring and analysis that supports trend analysis and/or an integrated watershed planning process).
Undertake research or analysis to address knowledge gaps on nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments, including impacts of wildfires or cumulative land-use disturbance.
Deliver Indigenous-led initiatives that support knowledge sharing for freshwater stewardship (for example, storytelling, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, including bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems).
Run collaboration and engagement initiatives that build partnerships and support joint priority-setting and strategy development to improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health (for example, multi-partner assessments, state of ecosystem reporting, or action plans).
Implement on-the-ground actions that reduce nutrients, contaminants and/or sediments (for example, beneficial management practices or actions identified through a watershed sustainability plan, watershed strategy, or water management policy).
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