Closed
Source verified August 2, 2026
Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
Supports freshwater ecosystem projects in the Mackenzie Basin
Funding available
$ 200,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Domestic Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, boards, and associations.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative supports eligible Canadian-based organizations in the Mackenzie River Basin to improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health through partner-led actions under the Federal Freshwater Action Plan. Funded activities include collecting and sharing freshwater knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge gathering and capacity building, and collaborative training, outreach, monitoring, tools, and adaptation work.
Find open grants for your business
Explore open funding programs that match your business and project.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
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
- 100 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
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
- Collecting, analyzing, sharing, or using information to increase knowledge of stressors threatening freshwater quality and ecosystem health.
- Gathering Indigenous Knowledge, applying Indigenous Knowledge systems, youth engagement, and capacity building for Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations.
- Enabling resiliency and adaptation through collaborative freshwater stewardship, training, outreach, education, knowledge sharing, and collaborative strategy development.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Domestic Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, boards, and associations.
- Domestic not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations.
- Domestic research, academic, and educational institutions.
- Domestic regional, municipal, and local governments.
- Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs, and domestic for-profit organizations such as small businesses with less than 100 employees, companies, corporations, industry associations, and agricultural organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are not eligible funding recipients.
Eligible expenses
- Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits.
- Management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, and legal fees.
- Hospitality, travel, and venue or conference expenses directly attributed to carrying out the project, including Indigenous ceremonial offerings.
- Costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony, and monetary honoraria for Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities.
- Materials and supplies; printing, production, and distribution; equipment and capital assets purchase or rental; vehicle rental and operation; contractors; a reasonable share of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery, 20% or less; and any non-reimbursable GST/HST and PST.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenditures related to lobbyist fees.
- Equipment and capital assets purchase or rental for for-profit recipients.
- Costs associated with land securement, such as leases, easements, covenants, or servitudes.
Eligible geographic areas
- Mackenzie River Basin
Selection criteria
- Strong linkages to the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative priorities, with a clear demonstration of the project’s need and importance for the health of the Mackenzie River.
- Partnerships and collaboration with other organizations, including the benefits of increased capacity, expertise, or leveraged resources.
- Scientific and technical soundness, including detailed methodology and techniques for scientific, research, or nutrient reduction components.
- Indigenous-led efforts and/or Knowledge Systems, with active Indigenous participation in project design and implementation and, where applicable, capacity and knowledge sharing.
- Builds on existing research and Knowledge or Indigenous Knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to share results and findings.
How to apply
- Submit the project proposal using GCEMS, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s online application system.
- Register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin your application.
- Complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Completed applications received before the deadline undergo a three-stage review: administrative review, technical review, and Application Review Committee review.
- All applicants are notified in writing via email, whether successful or unsuccessful.
- If approved, applicants are contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, and funding is conditional on successful negotiation.
- Approved recipients must submit reports throughout the duration of the project, and payments are based on reporting and cannot be made until a report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by a CWA project officer.
- A final report is required at project end, and the final payment will not be provided until the final report is submitted and approved by CWA; a minimum 10% holdback applies.
Additional information
- The initiative is part of the Federal Freshwater Action Plan and supports partner-led actions addressing regional freshwater challenges and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Program
What is the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative supports eligible Canadian-based organizations in the Mackenzie River Basin to improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health through partner-led actions under the Federal Freshwater Action Plan. Funded activities include collecting and sharing freshwater knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge gathering and capacity building, and collaborative training, outreach, monitoring, tools, and adaptation work.
How much funding can be received?
Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program, you must:
The applicant must be a Canadian-based organization.
The project must be implemented by domestic partners within the Mackenzie River Basin.
The project must address at least one of the three program priorities.
What expenses are eligible under Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
Collecting, analyzing, sharing, or using information to increase knowledge of stressors threatening freshwater quality and ecosystem health.
Gathering Indigenous Knowledge, applying Indigenous Knowledge systems, youth engagement, and capacity building for Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations.
Enabling resiliency and adaptation through collaborative freshwater stewardship, training, outreach, education, knowledge sharing, and collaborative strategy development.
Where is the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative available?
The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative?
Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is funded by Government of Canada