Closed
Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream
Funding for innovative Lake Erie phosphorus reduction projects
Last Update: May 12, 2026
Funding available
$ 300,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program provides up to CAD 300,000 per year for projects that reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie. It supports innovative approaches, new technologies, research, monitoring, modelling, and knowledge mobilization within the Lake Erie Canadian watershed.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Demonstration of innovative approaches or technologies to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie
- Research, modelling, and monitoring to fill priority knowledge gaps
- Projects supporting phosphorus recovery and reuse
- Knowledge mobilization activities linked to project results
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form
- Project budget
- Project work plan
- Evaluation plan and performance measures
- Supporting information, including letters of financial or in-kind support if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Conservation authorities
- Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities
- Municipalities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Research, academic, and educational institutions
Who is not eligible
- Provincial government agencies
Eligible expenses
- Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
- Professional and management services, including accounting, monitoring, communications, translation, audit, and legal fees
- Travel, materials and supplies, printing, equipment, vehicle rental, and contractor costs
- A reasonable share of overhead and administrative costs
- Non-reimbursable GST/HST or PST, and other pre-approved project-related incremental expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities related to water quantity issues
- Projects outside the defined geographical area
- Projects focused on increasing production or commercial expansion
- Lobbying or direct influence on any level of government
- Wastewater infrastructure projects
Eligible geographic areas
- Lake Erie Canadian watershed
- Thames River watershed
- Sydenham River watershed
- Leamington tributaries watersheds
Selection criteria
- Innovation and effectiveness in reducing phosphorus loads or filling knowledge gaps
- Quality and relevance of the knowledge mobilization plan
- Project feasibility, work plan clarity, and recipient experience
- Location in a priority area: Thames River, Sydenham River, or Leamington tributaries watersheds
- Value for money and contributions from other sources
How to apply
- Step 1: Access the online system
- Sign in through ECCC’s Single Window using GCKey.
- Add your organization to your profile to access GCEMS.
- Step 2: Complete the application form
- Fill in all required sections of the online application.
- Provide the project summary, work plan, budget, evaluation plan, and supporting information.
- Step 3: Submit online
- Use GCEMS to submit the completed application.
- Ensure all sections are complete before submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed first for administrative completeness and eligibility.
- Eligible proposals are then evaluated against program criteria by ECCC.
- ECCC may consult external advisors, but approval decisions are made by ECCC.
- Applications must be complete to be considered.
Additional information
- Applicants are encouraged to include other funding or in-kind support.
- Letters of financial or in-kind support may be submitted as supporting information.
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Applications are submitted online through ECCC’s Single Window and GCEMS.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Great Lakes FEI: Supporting Community-based ScienceSupports community science for Great Lakes protection
- Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Reducing Releases of Harmful ChemicalsSupports projects reducing harmful chemical releases
- Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Restoring Areas of ConcernSupports restoration projects in Great Lakes Areas of Concern
- Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative: Preventing toxic and nuisance algae — Lake Erie Precision Conservation sub-streamFunding for Lake Erie phosphorus reduction projects
Frequently Asked Questions about the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream Program
What is the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream?
This program provides up to CAD 300,000 per year for projects that reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie. It supports innovative approaches, new technologies, research, monitoring, modelling, and knowledge mobilization within the Lake Erie Canadian watershed.
How much funding can be received?
Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream Funds up to $300,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream program?
To be eligible for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream program, you must:
Project in the Lake Erie Canadian watershed.
Innovative approach or science-based project.
Includes a knowledge mobilization plan.
What expenses are eligible under Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream?
Demonstration of innovative approaches or technologies to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie
Research, modelling, and monitoring to fill priority knowledge gaps
Projects supporting phosphorus recovery and reuse
Knowledge mobilization activities linked to project results
Who can I contact for more information about the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at GreatLakes-GrandsLacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream available?
The Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Funding for preventing toxic and nuisance algae – Lake Erie Innovation Sub-Stream is a Grant and Funding