Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based Science

• Completed online application form
• Project budget
• Project work plan
• Evaluation plan and performance measures
• Letters of support or financial/in-kind support, if applicable

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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.