Ghost Gear Fund 2026-2029

• Completed Ghost Gear Fund (GGF) Project Proposal application form
• Supporting documents such as letters of support and maps
• Statement, email, or letter of support from Indigenous partners, if the project involves Indigenous partners

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit and charitable organizations, Canadian or international
• Companies, businesses, organizations, or associations, Canadian or international
• Indigenous organizations or communities
• Recognized research, academic, and educational institutions
• Other levels of government and their agencies or Crown corporations, and individuals

Who is not eligible

• Applicants whose project participants are not in good standing with relevant federal and provincial legislation, policy, and regulations may be deemed ineligible.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, wages, other labour expenses, benefits, and insurance
• Professional, contracted, and technical services, including travel, conferences, meetings, printing, publication, training, communications, and office lease or rent
• Costs associated with recycling and/or disposal of marine litter and/or ALDFG, building, construction, and other infrastructure costs
• Purchase, rental, or lease of equipment, vessels, vehicles, supplies, materials, electronic equipment, software, maintenance, monitoring, reporting, audit costs, and appropriate liability insurance
• Administrative overhead up to 15% of total project costs; GST or HST that is not eligible for reimbursement or exemption; other pre-approved costs that directly support fisheries management and sustainability, not to exceed 10% of total eligible costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Activities not listed as eligible under the Ghost Gear Fund are ineligible for funding
• GST or HST that is eligible for reimbursement or exemption must be excluded from GGF expenditures

• Projects that encourage sustainable fishing practices and technologies that reduce gear loss or strengthen gear retrieval practices are preferred.
• Projects that retrieve gear in areas with the highest gear loss rates reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada or known interactions with species at risk are preferred.
• Projects that facilitate the long-term management and responsible disposal of end-of-life fishing gear and ghost gear are preferred.
• Projects that clearly demonstrate Indigenous leadership or partnership in planning, development, or implementation are preferred.
• Applications are assessed on the geographic location of the work, overall quality and feasibility, detailed work plans, reasonable costs, project team experience, methods for achieving objectives and measuring success, and the potential for ongoing actions beyond the project timeframe.

• Complete the project proposal using the application form.
• Submit the application electronically by email to DFO.GGFund-Fonddesef.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
• Submit the application by Monday, June 29, 2026 at 23:59 PDT.

• Upon submission, applicants receive a project number by email.
• The project number must be included in the subject line of inquiries and communications regarding the proposal, and in all written communications and reports if the project is approved.
• Completed applications are reviewed after the call for proposals closes, and incomplete proposals are not considered for funding.
• All eligible applicants receive an email confirmation of receipt and an official funding decision notification letter.
• Successful applicants proceed to funding agreement negotiations, and no funding is guaranteed until a contribution agreement is signed by both parties.
• Any expenditures incurred before the contribution or grant agreement is signed are at the applicant’s risk.

• A project number is issued after submission and must be included in the subject line of inquiries and communications regarding the proposal, and in written communications and reports if the project is approved.
• Communication with applicants about proposal status is prohibited during the project review and selection phase until final administrative approvals have been granted.
• Applicants are encouraged to integrate the principles of the Buy Canadian Policy in their proposals.