Nunavut Prospector's Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

Nunavut Prospector's Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $8000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Nunavut Prospector's Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Nunavut Prospector's Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Nunavut Prospector's Program?

Nunavut Prospector's Program is funded by Government of Nunavut, Department of Economic Development and Transportation (NU)

Q: Who is eligible for the Nunavut Prospector's Program program?

To be eligible for the Nunavut Prospector's Program program, you must: • Be a Nunavut resident. • Be of legal age (18 or older). • Hold a valid Prospecting Licence.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Nunavut Prospector's Program?

You can contact Government of Nunavut by email at minerals@gov.nu.ca or by phone at 1-888-975-5999.

Q: Where is the Nunavut Prospector's Program available?

The Nunavut Prospector's Program program is available the province of NU.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NU, Canada

Money for mineral exploration in Nunavut

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $8,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : May 1, 2023
Closing date : April 30, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Get up to $8,000 per year to cover basic expenses while exploring for new mineral occurrences.

Financing terms and conditions

The Nunavut Prospector's Program offers structured financing modalities designed to support individuals in their mineral exploration activities in Nunavut. These modalities aim to cover essential expenses while ensuring proper oversight and accountability.

Contributions are limited to $8,000 annually per application to cover exploration-related expenses.
Up to 75% of the awarded funding is provided in advance of the exploration activities.
The remaining funds are disbursed upon completion and approval of the project's final report.
An additional transportation bonus of up to $8,000 may be available, subject to departmental review of logistical challenges.

Activities funded

The Nunavut Prospector's Program financially supports prospectors engaged in mineral exploration activities within Nunavut. The eligible activities are aimed at facilitating the discovery of new mineral occurrences by covering a range of project-related expenses.

Fuel expenses for field exploration.
Vehicle maintenance costs necessary for prospecting activities.
Food allowances while conducting fieldwork.
Wages for assistants hired to aid in the prospecting activities.
Procurement of prospecting supplies essential for exploration tasks.
Costs associated with mineral assay tests to analyze samples.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 8,000

Surveying for rare earth elements near Cambridge Bay using geochemical analysis and drones

$ 8,000

Researching potential gold deposits near Yellowknife with advanced mapping and sampling techniques

$ 8,000

Identifying new copper deposits around Baker Lake using geophysical surveys and core drilling

$ 8,000

Mapping mineral resources near Pond Inlet using remote sensing and ground verification

$ 8,000

Prospecting for platinum groups near Rankin Inlet using specialized geophysical equipment

$ 8,000

Exploring for diamond deposits near Iqaluit using portable drilling equipment and soil sampling

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's residency, legal status, and qualifications.

The applicant must be a Nunavut resident.
The applicant must be of legal age (18 or older).
The applicant must hold a valid Prospecting Licence.
The applicant must have prospecting experience or have completed the Introduction to Prospecting course (IPC).

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the Nunavut Prospectors Program (NPP), applicants must be residents of Nunavut, be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Prospecting Licence, and have either prospecting experience or have completed the Introduction to Prospecting course.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers basic expenses associated with prospecting activities in Nunavut.

Fuel expenses for project-related travel.
Vehicle maintenance costs necessary for field operations.
Food allowance while conducting fieldwork.
Wages for assistants working on the prospecting project.
Prospecting supplies necessary for exploration activities.
Mineral assay costs to analyze mineral samples.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically targeted towards individuals who are residents of Nunavut. The program fosters local exploration activities within this Canadian region.

Residents of Nunavut.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Nunavut Prospectors Program grant:

Applicants must be Nunavut residents.
Applicants must be of legal age (18 or older).
Applicants must have prospecting experience or have completed the Introduction to Prospecting course.

How to apply

Obtain Prospecting Licence

Ensure you hold a valid Nunavut Prospector’s Licence.
If you don't have one, apply through the designated issuing authority in Nunavut.

Plan Project

Identify and map the proposed project area for exploration.
Have a preliminary discussion with a Resident Geologist concerning your project.

Obtain Permits

Secure all necessary access permits for your project area, especially if on Inuit Owned Land (IOL).
Contact the local Regional Inuit Association for permits if applicable.

Complete Application Form

Download and fill out the Nunavut Prospector’s Program Application Form.
Include your Nunavut Prospector’s Licence number on the form.

Attach Required Documents

Attach a map of the project area.
Include documentation of your discussion with a Resident Geologist.
Attach all relevant permits and access documents.

Submit Application

Submit the completed application and supporting documents before the deadline on April 30.
Mail or otherwise send your application to the Department of Economic Development and Transportation at Building 1104A, Inuksugait Plaza, P.O. Box 1000, Station 1500, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0.

Await Confirmation and Funding

Wait for confirmation of funding decisions.
Upon approval, receive up to 75% of funding in advance for your proposed activities.
Submit a final report to receive the remaining funding.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants may apply for funding in subsequent years to continue their prospecting activities.
An optional transportation bonus of up to $8,000 may be available, contingent on a review of logistics challenges by the department.
Advance funding covers up to 75% of approved expenses, with the remaining balance paid after the approval of a final report.
Engagement with a Resident Geologist is required for project discussions.
Special access permits may be required for projects on Inuit Owned Land and should be obtained from the Regional Inuit Association.

Contacts

minerals@gov.nu.ca

1-888-975-5999

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Nunavut Prospector's Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Nunavut Prospector's Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.