Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk
Supports recovery of aquatic species at risk
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Domestic not-for-profit organizations, including charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations
See full eligibility
Overview
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk supports Canadian applicants working to recover aquatic species at risk across Canada, with an approximate annual national budget of $4M. Funding can support habitat restoration, human impact mitigation, surveys and monitoring, evaluation, and targeted outreach that advances recovery and partnerships.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
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
- Habitat improvement, including restoration, enhancement and management of SAR habitat, removing or preventing the spread of exotics or invasive species, and implementing beneficial management practices or water use guidelines
- Human impact mitigation, including preventing damage to SAR habitats, preventing harm to SAR, and using modified or new technology to prevent accidental harm
- Program planning and development, including developing conservation strategies, use guidelines and best practices, and planning stewardship programs and target audience engagement strategies
- Surveys, inventories and monitoring, when part of a larger stewardship project to be implemented within the next 2 years
- Project and program evaluation; targeted outreach that leads to direct SAR recovery action
Documents Needed
- Application Form
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Domestic not-for-profit organizations, including charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations
- Domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities, including Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, District councils, Chiefs councils and Tribal councils, Indigenous research, academic and educational institutions, and Indigenous for-profit organizations
- Domestic research, academic and educational institutions, and Canadian individuals
- Domestic for-profit organizations, such as small businesses with less than 500 employees, companies, corporations, and industry associations
- Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors' and youth groups, and service clubs, as well as provincial, territorial, municipal and local governments and their agencies
Who is not eligible
- Federal departments
- Federal agencies
- Federal Crown corporations
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and wages, employer mandatory benefits, professional and technical services, training, and training materials
- Construction and related costs, purchase or rental of machinery and equipment, maintenance and repair, purchase or rental of vehicles, materials and supplies
- Printing and publishing; telecommunications, communications/network, data communication, image/video communications services; postage, parcel post, courier services; rental of facilities
- Travel, including accommodation, meals and allowances based on the National Joint Council Directive on Travel; insurance expenses related to activities under the Agreement; conferences, workshops and meetings; monitoring and reporting; hospitality costs in compliance with the applicable directive
- Further distribution of funding to an agency or a third party; ceremonial costs for eligible Indigenous recipients; honoraria for Elders or Indigenous knowledge holders; non-reimbursable GST/HST and PST; administrative overhead up to 10%
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- The creation of promotional merchandise such as hats or mugs
- Scientific research activities
- Captive breeding, captive rearing, fish hatcheries, aquaculture activities, and extirpated species reintroductions
- The development of federal SAR recovery strategies or action plans, including the identification of critical habitat
- Any other expenses not specifically approved in writing by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans or the Minister's delegate
Eligible geographic areas
- Estuary and gulf of St. Lawrence; St. Lawrence Lowlands, in particular the Richelieu River watershed
- Lake St. Clair and contributing watersheds; Lake Erie and contributing watersheds; Lake Ontario and contributing watersheds; Lake Huron and contributing watersheds; Lakes and contributing watersheds of Upper (western) St. Lawrence River
- Peace/Slave/Athabasca River Basin; North and South Saskatchewan River basin; Southern Prairie Region, including Milk River, St. Mary River, and Qu'Appelle River; Winnipeg/Red/Assiniboine River Basin; East Slopes Rocky Mountains
- Foxe Basin, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait; Mackenzie River tributaries and Peel River System; Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf; Queen Maud Gulf to Lancaster Sound; Baffin Bay and Davis Strait
Selection criteria
- Technical merit
- Alignment with program priorities and expected results
- Capacity and past performance of the proponent to execute stewardship projects
- Projects that address at least 1 regional priority are prioritized for funding
How to apply
- If desired, submit an Expression of Interest by email to the appropriate HSP Regional Coordinator.
- Complete the Application Form.
- Submit the completed application by email to the appropriate HSP Regional Coordinator.
Processing and Agreement
- Each proposal is evaluated by regional and national DFO staff after eligibility requirements are verified
- Applicants should receive a notification of successful submission within five working days of submitting the application
- DFO is aiming to send notification of funding decisions by April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions about the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk Program
What is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk?
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk supports Canadian applicants working to recover aquatic species at risk across Canada, with an approximate annual national budget of $4M. Funding can support habitat restoration, human impact mitigation, surveys and monitoring, evaluation, and targeted outreach that advances recovery and partnerships.
Who is eligible for the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk program?
To be eligible for the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk program, you must:
The project must target aquatic species at risk listed under SARA or assessed by COSEWIC.
Project activities must directly benefit aquatic species at risk.
Activities must take place in freshwater and marine areas across Canada.
What expenses are eligible under Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk?
Habitat improvement, including restoration, enhancement and management of SAR habitat, removing or preventing the spread of exotics or invasive species, and implementing beneficial management practices or water use guidelines
Human impact mitigation, including preventing damage to SAR habitats, preventing harm to SAR, and using modified or new technology to prevent accidental harm
Program planning and development, including developing conservation strategies, use guidelines and best practices, and planning stewardship programs and target audience engagement strategies
Surveys, inventories and monitoring, when part of a larger stewardship project to be implemented within the next 2 years
Project and program evaluation; targeted outreach that leads to direct SAR recovery action
Who can I contact for more information about the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk?
You can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Where is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk available?
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk program is available across Canada.
Is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk?
Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk is funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)