Closed
Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science
Supports community science for Great Lakes protection
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 40,000 - $ 1,000,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- Location
- Canada
Overview
Supports community-based science projects for the Great Lakes, with funding of up to $1,000,000 per project. The program supports citizen engagement, innovative technologies, open data, and decision-making related to Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $1,000,000
- Minimum funding
- $40,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 100%
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Conduct research and development activities
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Train or support volunteers
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Conservation authorities
- Indigenous organizations, governments, communities, associations, and authorities
- Canadian municipal and local governments
- Canadian not-for-profit organizations
- Canadian research, academic, educational, and local community organizations
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Provincial government agencies
Eligible expenses
- Human resources, including salaries and benefits
- Professional and management services, travel, materials, printing, training, database/software, equipment, and vehicle costs
- Reasonable overhead and administrative costs directly linked to project delivery
- Non-reimbursable GST/HST and PST
- Other incremental project costs pre-approved by the Canada Water Agency
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing projects and activities already underway, except possible expansion to a new area or scope
- Projects mainly focused on beach cleanups or litter collection
- Projects mainly focused on capital assets, vehicles, municipal infrastructure, or land acquisition
- Core organizational functions, general conferences, lobbying, advocacy, and fundraising activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian Great Lakes waters
- Great Lakes shorelines, nearshore areas, and offshore areas in Canada
Activities funded
- Community-based science projects for Great Lakes priorities
- Projects using innovative technologies and open data
- Data platform projects that improve access to community science data
- Projects that engage citizens and support decision-making or research
How to apply
- Step 1: Register and access the online system
- Use the Single Window system to access GCEMS.
- Create or use a GCKey and add your organization to your profile.
- Step 2: Complete the online application
- Fill in all nine sections of the application form.
- Provide the project summary, budget, work plan, evaluation plan, and supporting information.
- Step 3: Submit through GCEMS
- Locate the funding opportunity in GCEMS.
- Open the application and submit it online.
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form
- Project budget
- Project work plan
- Evaluation plan and performance measures
- Letters of support or financial/in-kind support, if applicable
Selection criteria
- Project results and alignment with Great Lakes priorities
- Engagement and communication approach
- Feasibility, capacity, and likelihood of success
- Value for money and support from other sources
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in two stages: administrative review and project evaluation.
- Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing.
- If approved in principle, the applicant is contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement.
- Project implementation can begin after formal approval notification, pending any required agreements or contracts.
- Costs incurred after official notification and before the agreement is signed may be considered for reimbursement.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science Program
What is the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science?
Supports community-based science projects for the Great Lakes, with funding of up to $1,000,000 per project. The program supports citizen engagement, innovative technologies, open data, and decision-making related to Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.
How much funding can be received?
Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science program?
To be eligible for the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science program, you must:
Eligible Canadian organization or public body
Great Lakes community-based science project
Project focused on Canadian Great Lakes waters
What expenses are eligible under Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science?
Human resources, including salaries and benefits
Professional and management services, travel, materials, printing, training, database/software, equipment, and vehicle costs
Reasonable overhead and administrative costs directly linked to project delivery
Non-reimbursable GST/HST and PST
Other incremental project costs pre-approved by the Canada Water Agency
Who can I contact for more information about the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at GreatLakes-GrandsLacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca.
Where is the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science available?
The Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science program is available across Canada.
Is the Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science is a Grant and Funding