Lake of the Woods Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative — Toxic and nuisance algae

• Completed online application form.
• Project budget and annual funding breakdown.
• Project work plan.
• Evaluation plan and performance measures.
• Supporting documents, such as letters of financial or in-kind support, if applicable.

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities.
• Not-for-profit organizations, including charities, volunteer groups, professional associations, and NGOs.
• Municipalities.
• Research, academic, and educational institutions.

Who is not eligible

• Provincial government agencies.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for project staff.
• Professional services, including accounting, monitoring, communications, translation, audit, and legal fees.
• Travel, supplies, printing, and distribution.
• Equipment and capital assets needed for the project.
• Contractor fees, vehicle costs, and reasonable overhead.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Projects focused on water quantity issues.
• Projects outside the defined geographic area.
• Projects aimed at increasing production, replacing worn-out equipment, or commercial expansion.
• Lobbying or direct influence activities targeting government.
• Wastewater infrastructure projects.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canadian portion of the Lake of the Woods watershed.
• Lower Rainy River sub-watershed priority area.

• Project results and expected phosphorus reduction outcomes.
• Outreach and knowledge mobilization approach.
• Project feasibility, expertise, and likelihood of success.
• Ability to estimate phosphorus load reduction.
• Value for money and additional cash or in-kind support.

• Step 1: Access the online system
  • Sign in through the Single Window system using GCKey.
  • Add your organization to your profile to access GCEMS.
• Step 2: Complete the application
  • Fill in all required sections of the online form.
  • Prepare the project summary, work plan, budget, evaluation plan, and supporting information.
• Step 3: Submit online
  • Open the funding opportunity in GCEMS and select Apply.
  • Submit the completed application through the portal before the deadline.
• Step 4: Await review and decision
  • The application is reviewed administratively and then evaluated by ECCC.
  • Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing.
• Step 5: Finalize agreement if approved
  • If approved in principle, negotiate a Contribution Agreement with ECCC.
  • Project implementation may begin after official approval, pending agreements or contracts where applicable.

• Applications undergo an administrative review first.
• Eligible proposals are then evaluated by ECCC against program criteria.
• Applicants are notified in writing once a decision is made.
• If approved in principle, a Contribution Agreement is negotiated before funding is finalized.
• Project spending after notification and before agreement signing may be reimbursable if the agreement is signed.

• Applications are closed.
• Projects may run for up to three years.
• Other funding or in-kind support is encouraged but not required.
• Project results and data should be shared openly.