
Open
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)
Supports specialized emergency response teams for urban disaster management
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 6,250,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Program provides up to $6,250,000 per agreement to support provincial and municipal task forces in strengthening disaster response capacities through equipment purchases, specialized training, and interoperability initiatives. The program aims to build safer, more resilient communities by funding eligible activities that enhance technical search and rescue capabilities across Canada.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 6,250,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Language Minorities
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Emergency and Relief
Target groups
- General public
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Strengthening HUSAR Task Force response capabilities through acquisition of specialized equipment and resources.
- Delivering and participating in specialized training sessions, workshops, and conferences to enhance HUSAR expertise.
- Organizing and executing interoperability exercises involving multiple HUSAR Task Forces to improve joint response capacity.
- Developing and establishing HUSAR capacity in underserved regions to ensure broader emergency preparedness.
- Engaging in cooperative activities with emergency response partners to improve disaster readiness and coordination.
Documents Needed
- Completed proposal
- Itemized budget
- Project contacts list
- Recent financial statements, if requested
- Implementation plan, if requested
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Provincial legal entities managing one of Canada's six Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Forces
- Municipal legal entities responsible for the management of a HUSAR Task Force in Vancouver, Calgary, Brandon, Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are not provincial or municipal legal entities responsible for managing one of the six urban search and rescue operational forces using heavy equipment (USAR).
- Private organizations, non-profit organizations or commercial enterprises that have no official mandate to manage such an operational force.
Eligible expenses
- Equipment purchase, along with associated operating and maintenance costs (including required supplies and items for HUSAR teams).
- Costs for instructors, facility rentals, equipment rentals, supplies, travel, food, and accommodation related to training or project activities.
- Direct operating and maintenance expenses to sustain projects, such as pallets, veterinarian costs, or warehouse leases for specialized vehicles.
- Expenses for the development, coordination, and execution of domestic interoperability or response exercises involving HUSAR Task Forces.
- Costs associated with participation in meetings, training, or exercises with U.S. emergency services, in accordance with relevant policies.
- Salaries, benefits, and overtime for administrative and operational employees engaged in eligible activities.
- Administrative project expenses, up to 10% of the funding agreement.
- Professional fees, including consulting, printing, audit, evaluation, and accounting fees.
- Certification or designation fees for groups, individuals, or canines.
- Honoraria or other reasonable expenses necessary for completing Task Force project activities.
- Costs for constructing or renovating HUSAR equipment storage or training facilities.
- Expenses to meet official language requirements.
- Other costs deemed necessary by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Eligible geographic areas
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Calgary, Alberta
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Toronto, Ontario
- Montreal, Quebec
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
Selection criteria
- Clarity in describing the activities and expected results of the project and their alignment with HUSAR Program objectives and organizational priorities.
- Comprehensive and itemized budget that discloses all revenues and expected expenditures for the project term.
- Provision of relevant supporting documentation, including an implementation plan with expected results, timelines, and data collection methodology, if requested.
- Demonstrated internal governance and reporting structure.
- Assessment of application risk as per Public Safety's internal Risk Assessment Directive.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Program Priorities and Terms
- Consult the annual priorities announced by Public Safety Canada prior to the call for proposals.
- Familiarize yourself with the program's Terms and Conditions and ensure that your intended project aligns with eligible activities and expenditures.
- Step 2: Prepare Funding Proposal
- Complete a detailed proposal describing project activities, anticipated reach, expected results, and how the project aligns with HUSAR Program objectives and organizational priorities.
- Develop an itemized budget including total project costs, all sources of revenue (confirmed and potential), and all expected expenditures over the project's term.
- Specify the amount of funding requested under the HUSAR Program.
- Identify and include names, titles, and contact information of personnel responsible for the project.
- Commit to providing a report on project results.
- Step 3: Compile Supporting Documentation
- Depending on proposal nature and duration, prepare additional materials such as an implementation plan, timeline, and data collection methodology.
- Include your organization's most recent applicable financial statements, if requested.
- Disclose any relevant involvement subject to federal conflict of interest or lobbying regulations.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit the completed proposal and all supporting documents according to the instructions included in the call for proposals.
- Forward the application via the designated contact email: ps.husar-rsmuel.sp@canada.ca.
- Step 5: Application Review and Decision
- Your application will undergo review by the HUSAR Steering Committee.
- Await communication regarding the funding decision following the committee's assessment.
Additional information
- Funding agreements may be structured as multiyear agreements depending on the scope and duration of the project.
- Administrative expenditures related to the project are capped at 10% of the funding agreement.
- Applicants must comply with official language requirements as specified by the Official Languages Act.
- Applicants must disclose potential conflicts of interest and comply with federal ethics and lobbying regulations.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Program
What is the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)?
The Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Program provides up to $6,250,000 per agreement to support provincial and municipal task forces in strengthening disaster response capacities through equipment purchases, specialized training, and interoperability initiatives. The program aims to build safer, more resilient communities by funding eligible activities that enhance technical search and rescue capabilities across Canada.
How much funding can be received?
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $6,250,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) program?
To be eligible for the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) program, you must:
The applicant must be a provincial or municipal legal entity responsible for managing one of the six HUSAR Task Forces.
Eligible Task Forces are in Vancouver, Calgary, Manitoba (Brandon), Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax.
What expenses are eligible under Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)?
Strengthening HUSAR Task Force response capabilities through acquisition of specialized equipment and resources.
Delivering and participating in specialized training sessions, workshops, and conferences to enhance HUSAR expertise.
Organizing and executing interoperability exercises involving multiple HUSAR Task Forces to improve joint response capacity.
Developing and establishing HUSAR capacity in underserved regions to ensure broader emergency preparedness.
Engaging in cooperative activities with emergency response partners to improve disaster readiness and coordination.
Who can I contact for more information about the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)?
You can contact Public Safety Canada (PSC) by email at ps.husar-rsmuel.sp@canada.ca.
Where is the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) available?
The Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) program is available across Canada.
Is the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) is a Grant and Funding