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Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component - Canada
Closed
Source verified August 4, 2026

Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component

Supports Indigenous participation in fish habitat conservation
Offered by
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Official source: dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: May 1, 2026
Latest change: The IHPP capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration component is now accepting 2026/27 applications, with guidance updated for single-year or multi-year projects up to three years.
View change
IHPP 2026/27 applications now open
The page changed from closed to open and now says applications are being accepted for the 2026/27 intake period. It also notes that projects may be single-year or multi-year, up to three years, and that applicants should follow the updated guidance and contact their regional representative with questions. The application instructions and supporting form guidance now reflect multi-year/fiscal-year planning, and regional contact emails are presented for submission and assistance. The funding description remains focused on the same IHPP capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration scope, with only minor wording updates to the program description and service links.
Funding available
Up to 15% of project cost
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Indigenous communities, bands or settlements; district councils, chiefs’ councils or tribal councils.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Indigenous Habitat Participation Program supports Indigenous communities across Canada through capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration funding to advance fish and fish habitat conservation and protection. It can fund engagement on policies and regulations, collaborative monitoring and planning, and training or governance activities.
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At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
  • Up to 15% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Engagement on regulatory, program and/or policy initiatives, including providing information, reviewing studies and reports, giving feedback to DFO, meetings, discussion groups, and outreach to Indigenous peoples.
  • Capacity-building activities related to fish and fish habitat conservation and protection, including operational programming, monitoring, outreach and education, collaborative planning, science and research into Indigenous knowledge, and training and skills development.
  • Developing and maintaining management structures and governance, including administration, overall program management, and organizational strategic planning.
  • Collaborative activities, including integrated planning initiatives, monitoring, establishing conservation and protection priorities, and aquatic ecosystem data collection.
  • Planning of habitat restoration activities, such as site determination or setting restoration priorities.

Documents Needed

  • Proposal form

Official resources

Official page

Indigenous Habitat Participation Program: Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component

Program guide

guidance orientation eng

ihpp contribution guidance directives concernant proposition ppah eng

IHPP Contribution guidance Directives concernant proposition PPAH eng

Application form

form formulaire eng

ihpp contribution proposal form formulaire de proposition ppah eng

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Indigenous communities, bands or settlements; district councils, chiefs’ councils or tribal councils.
  • Indigenous associations, organizations or societies; Indigenous fisheries commissions, councils, authorities or boards.
  • Indigenous economic institutions, organizations, corporations or co-operatives; partnerships or aggregations of Indigenous groups.
  • Bodies or entities established by rights-holding communities to represent them; service providers mandated to work with Indigenous organizations in fisheries and fish and fish habitat, as determined by DFO.

Who is not eligible

  • Projects focused on fisheries management, such as stock assessment or hatcheries.
  • Projects involving on-the-ground habitat restoration work.
  • Applicants seeking support for work already funded by other public or private sources.

Eligible expenses

  • Travel, including accommodation, meals and allowances; hospitality and related expenses.
  • Salary, wages and other labour for project-specific staff, including employer mandatory benefits; ceremonial costs, including services, ceremonial offerings, gifts, and honoraria for elders and/or Indigenous holders.
  • Professional and specialized services; training fees and expenses, including materials; insurance.
  • Outreach materials; rental of office space, a room, set of rooms, and/or facilities; purchase or rental of equipment and upkeep; material and supplies; audio/video, data, network communications services.
  • Administrative overhead up to 15% of the total agreement amount; any GST/HST not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces may also be eligible.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activities related to fisheries management, such as stock assessment or hatcheries.
  • On-the-ground habitat restoration activities.
  • Activities, services, studies, or written materials already funded by other public or private sources.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada
  • Inland areas of Canada

Selection criteria

  • Preference is given to proposals that address one or more IHPP priorities.
  • Preference is given to proposals that engage a broad range of Indigenous partners.
  • Preference is given to proposals that consider sustainability and long-term benefits.
  • Strategic value is assessed based on alignment with IHPP objectives, other national and regional strategies and priorities, and the scope of engagement with Indigenous groups.
  • Technical and program specifics are assessed based on the applicant’s experience, additional resources, management capacity, and ability to show how funds will help achieve the project’s goals.

How to apply

  • Complete all sections of the proposal form.
  • Email the completed proposal to the DFO regional office in the region where the project will take place.
  • If you cannot submit by email, contact the DFO Regional Coordinator to make alternate arrangements.

Processing and Agreement

  • Proposals are initially screened to determine whether they meet the minimum requirements to be considered an eligible project.
  • Eligible proposals are then assessed to determine whether they are potential IHPP projects.
  • If a project is selected, the regional office contacts the applicant and requests further project details as part of contribution or grant agreement development.
  • DFO determines whether grant or contribution funding best fits the applicant’s capacity and the proposed activities.
  • Transfer payments for successful applicants are processed within 30 business days of signing the contribution agreement or receiving a fully completed report.

Additional information

  • This component is separate from consultation funding.
  • Funding is provided through both grants and contributions.

Contacts

dfo.queihpp-ppahque.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component Program

What is the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component?

The Indigenous Habitat Participation Program supports Indigenous communities across Canada through capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration funding to advance fish and fish habitat conservation and protection. It can fund engagement on policies and regulations, collaborative monitoring and planning, and training or governance activities.

How much funding can be received?

Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component program?

To be eligible for the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component program, you must: The applicant must be an Indigenous group with an interest in fish and fish habitat conservation and protection initiatives. The application must be for the capacity-building, engagement, and collaboration funding component. Projects may be single-year or multi-year, up to three years.

What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component?

Engagement on regulatory, program and/or policy initiatives, including providing information, reviewing studies and reports, giving feedback to DFO, meetings, discussion groups, and outreach to Indigenous peoples. Capacity-building activities related to fish and fish habitat conservation and protection, including operational programming, monitoring, outreach and education, collaborative planning, science and research into Indigenous knowledge, and training and skills development. Developing and maintaining management structures and governance, including administration, overall program management, and organizational strategic planning. Collaborative activities, including integrated planning initiatives, monitoring, establishing conservation and protection priorities, and aquatic ecosystem data collection. Planning of habitat restoration activities, such as site determination or setting restoration priorities.

Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component?

You can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by email at dfo.queihpp-ppahque.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Where is the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component available?

The Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component program is available across Canada.

Is the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Capacity-building, Engagement, and Collaboration component is a Grant and Funding