Indigenous Habitat Participation Program - Consultation component

• Preference is given to funding requests up to $21,000 per application.
• Requests over $21,000 may be considered for more complex consultation activities, but must be justified.
• Administrative overhead is capped at 15% of total eligible costs.
• Honoraria for Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Holders recommended at $150/hour, $500/half-day, and $1,000 to $1,500/full day.

• The applicant must be an Indigenous group with potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, such as Indigenous governments, communities, bands, settlements, district councils, chiefs’ councils, tribal councils, or entities established by rights-holding communities to represent them.
• The group must potentially be affected by a Fisheries Act or Species at Risk Act regulatory review decision.
• The applicant must have received a consultation notification letter from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous governments
• Indigenous communities, bands, and settlements
• District councils, chiefs’ councils, and tribal councils
• Bodies or entities established by rights-holding Indigenous communities
• Indigenous organizations representing communities with Aboriginal or treaty rights

Who is not eligible

• No specific information is provided regarding particular types of businesses or industries that are not eligible for this grant.
• No explicit restrictions are mentioned regarding the legal status or main activity of businesses in the context of exclusions.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and wages, including mandatory employer benefits.
• Professional, technical and specialized services, such as consultants.
• Software and computer equipment.
• Printing costs.
• Telecommunications and data communications services.
• Postage, parcel post, and courier services.
• Expenses related to conferences, workshops, and meetings (including hospitality and related costs in compliance with federal directives).
• Travel expenses (travel, meals, incidentals, accommodation, vehicle rental, transportation).
• Rental of office space, rooms, and facilities.
• Honoraria for Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Holders (if not otherwise compensated for these activities).
• Costs for ceremonial offerings.
• Administrative overhead costs, up to 15% of eligible expenses (e.g., office rent, accounting, HR, contract administration).

Eligible geographic areas

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

• Eligibility of the applicant.
• Eligibility of the proposed activities and expenditures.
• Clear explanation of how the funds will be used to support the consultation approach.
• Relevance of proposed activities to the program’s objectives, specifically supporting Indigenous participation in consultation related to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act.
• Consideration of additional resources available to the applicant and remaining program funds at the time of decision-making.

• Step 1: Receive Consultation Initiation Letter
  • Wait to receive a letter from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) - Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program initiating the consultation process.
• Step 2: Review Application Guide and Form
  • Download the official application form and guide from the program’s website.
  • Ensure the PDF form is downloaded and opened on a computer using Adobe Reader (not on mobile devices).
• Step 3: Prepare Application Package
  • Complete the application form with detailed information about proposed consultation activities and associated costs.
  • Prepare supporting documentation as required (e.g., budgets, workplans).
  • If requesting over $21,000, contact the relevant regional DFO Indigenous Relations Unit before submission.
• Step 4: Consult with Regional DFO Contact (Recommended)
  • Email your regional Fisheries and Oceans Canada contact to discuss the consultation approach before submitting your application.
• Step 5: Submit Application
  • Email the completed application and supporting documents to the appropriate regional Fisheries and Oceans Canada office. Refer to the specific regional email addresses listed for submission.
• Step 6: Acknowledgment and Assessment
  • Receive acknowledgment of your application within five (5) business days.
  • Expect to be informed of the funding decision within thirteen (13) business days after submission.
• Step 7: Grant Agreement and Payment
  • If successful, sign the grant agreement as provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
  • Funding will be transferred within thirty (30) business days following the signing of the agreement.

• Preference is given to funding requests up to $21,000; higher amounts may be considered for complex consultations.
• Applications are processed individually as they are received and applicants are notified of receipt within five business days.
• Grant transfer payments to successful applicants are made within 30 business days of signing the agreement.
• Administrative overhead costs are capped at 15% of total eligible expenses.