Closed
Source verified July 30, 2026
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
Supports stewardship for vulnerable species
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 100,000
Deadline
November 13, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk supports projects submitted by Canadians that directly contribute to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk and help prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern. Eligible work includes habitat protection, habitat improvement, and species and habitat threat abatement.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
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 protection and securement
- Habitat improvement
- Species and habitat threat abatement
- Conservation planning
- Surveys, inventories and monitoring, outreach and education, and project evaluation
Documents Needed
- Work Plan and Expected Results document
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian non-governmental organizations
- Canadian community groups
- Canadian Indigenous organizations and communities
- Canadian individuals, private corporations and businesses, and educational institutions
- Canadian provincial, territorial and municipal governments, and Canadian provincial Crown corporations
Who is not eligible
- Federal departments, federal agencies, and federal Crown corporations.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- The creation of promotional merchandise such as hats or mugs.
- Scientific research activities, captive breeding, captive rearing, extirpated species reintroductions, and the development of recovery strategies or action plans, including the identification of critical habitat.
- Habitat securement for for-profit recipients.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Private land
- Provincial Crown land
- Lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories, or Nunavut
- Indigenous land
Selection criteria
- 60% alignment with program objectives and priorities
- 40% technical merit, including overall quality of the project application, feasibility of the project, and, if relevant, past performance
- The ability to complete all reporting and administration requirements under the HSP is considered during evaluation
How to apply
- Contact your regional HSP coordinator to obtain an Expression of Interest form or discuss your proposed project to verify its eligibility and alignment with program priorities.
- Log in to GCEMS using your GCKey, and create a GCKey if you do not already have one.
- Download the Work Plan and Expected Results document, complete it outside GCEMS, and upload it with your application.
- Submit your application in GCEMS before November 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
- After submission, watch for the email confirmation from GCEMS.
Processing and Agreement
- After submission, you will receive an email confirmation from GCEMS.
- Regional HSP coordinators review every application for projects in their region to confirm eligibility.
- Eligible applications are evaluated and prioritized using program objectives and technical merit.
- The ability to complete all reporting and administration requirements under HSP is considered during evaluation.
- Once departmental approval in principle has been confirmed, all applicants are notified in writing, and successful applicants are contacted to negotiate a contribution agreement.
Additional information
- The call for applications for projects starting in 2026-2027 is now closed.
- Regional HSP coordinators are the main contact for project questions, program priorities, and Environment and Climate Change Canada funding options.
- HSP funding decisions are expected by spring 2026.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk Program
What is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk?
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk supports projects submitted by Canadians that directly contribute to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk and help prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern. Eligible work includes habitat protection, habitat improvement, and species and habitat threat abatement.
How much funding can be received?
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk program?
To be eligible for the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk program, you must:
The project must directly contribute to the recovery objectives and population goals of terrestrial species at risk.
Eligible species are species listed on schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act, except extirpated species, or COSEWIC-endangered, threatened, or special concern species not listed on schedule 1 of SARA.
Projects must take place in Canada on eligible lands, and Indigenous reserve projects may require signed letters of support.
What expenses are eligible under Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk?
Habitat protection and securement
Habitat improvement
Species and habitat threat abatement
Conservation planning
Surveys, inventories and monitoring, outreach and education, and project evaluation
Who can I contact for more information about the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk?
You can contact Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) by email at PIH-HSP@ec.gc.ca or by phone at 1-800-668-6767.
Where is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk available?
The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk program is available across Canada.
Is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is a Grant and Funding