How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-11-15T23:59:59Z.

Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream

Q: What are Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a private or public organization (for-profit businesses eligible). Individuals are not eligible. The applicant must submit the application in the name matching its registered Quebec enterprise number (NEQ).

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports projects mitigating off-road vehicle impact on wildlife habitats

Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : January 1, 2025
Closing date : November 15, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Transportation and warehousing
Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

Quebec Wildlife Foundation

Program status

Open

Overview of the Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream program

The Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program – Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream offers up to $500,000 to support projects that mitigate the impact of off-road vehicle activity on wildlife and their habitats. Eligible initiatives include impact studies, trail planning or improvements, and educational campaigns aimed at preserving ecological integrity.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial assistance covers up to 75% of eligible project expenses (or up to 50% for for-profit organizations), with a maximum of $500,000 per project.
Eligible direct project costs include professional fees, salaries, technical and consulting services, equipment rental or purchase (when justified), material purchases, and related logistical costs.
Administrative and office costs may represent up to 10% of total eligible expenses.

Eligible projects & activities

Conducting studies to assess and plan how off-road vehicle routes impact wildlife and habitats.
Developing or updating trail plans or relocating trails to better protect wildlife and sensitive areas.
Constructing or improving trail infrastructure, such as bridges or culverts, to minimize harm to wildlife habitats.
Creating awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to encourage off-road vehicle users to respect and protect wildlife habitats.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 472,000

Construct wildlife-friendly bridges along high-impact ATV trails

$ 185,000

Conduct ecological studies on ORV trail impacts in forest habitats

$ 172,000

Develop and implement an off-road vehicle user education campaign

$ 270,000

Relocate a section of ATV trail away from nesting areas

$ 280,000

Install wildlife underpasses where trails intersect animal corridors

$ 160,000

Plan new sustainable ORV trail system through environmental screening

Eligibility criteria of the Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream program

The applicant must be a private or public organization (such as a municipality, MRC, Indigenous community, police force, non-profit or for-profit organization); individuals are not eligible.
The project must target the reduction of impacts of off-road vehicle (ORV) activities on wildlife and wildlife habitats, in line with program objectives.
The project must relate to the study, planning, improvement, or user awareness of ORV structures, infrastructures, or pathways that affect wildlife or wildlife habitats of interest.
The applicant must submit a complete application using the required forms, including all mandatory supporting documents.

Who is eligible?

Municipalities
Regional county municipalities (MRCs)
Indigenous communities
Police organizations
Non-profit and for-profit organizations

Who is not eligible

Individuals (natural persons) are not eligible for this program.
Businesses or organizations whose project is already receiving financial assistance under the section I – Safety and Environment of the Financial Assistance Program for Snowmobile Clubs of Quebec or the Financial Assistance Program for Off-Road Vehicles of Quebec.
Businesses or organizations whose project is receiving financial assistance under section III – FQMHR of the Financial Assistance Program for Off-Road Vehicles of Quebec.
Businesses whose sole project is aimed at the acquisition of land or easements.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees, salaries, and related benefits for personnel, technical staff, consultants, and contractors directly involved in the project.
Rental costs for tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery, including municipal equipment and operators.
Purchase of materials required for project activities.
Transportation costs for materials, tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery.
Production costs for awareness and training materials.
Installation expenses for equipment used in the project.
Insurance premiums specifically related to the project's implementation.
Travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for project personnel (within established limits).
Administrative and office costs directly related to the project, such as office supplies, photocopying, telephony, mailing, and accounting (up to a set percentage of total eligible expenses).
Rental or depreciation costs of IT equipment used for the duration of the project (subject to annual maximums).

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream program

Alignment with the objectives and priorities of the program.
Quality of the application and level of project planning.
Expertise and capacity of the applicant to carry out and monitor the project.
Expected results on targeted wildlife species or populations and their habitats.
Technical and financial feasibility of the project.

How to apply to the Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program - Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream program

Consult the information document

Review the detailed information document for the Off-Road Vehicle Financial Assistance Program – Wildlife and Habitat Protection Stream
Ensure your project aligns with the program's objectives and eligible project types

Gather required documents

Prepare all required supporting documents, such as project maps, financial support letters, sustainability annex, and list of required permits
Ensure the documents align with section 8 of the information document and project type requirements

Fill out the application form

Complete the official financial assistance application form for the program
Ensure the form is filled out accurately and includes all necessary organizational information

Submit the application package

Send the original completed application form and all required attachments by email to projets@fondationdelafaune.qc.ca
Respect the annual submission deadline of November 15

Await application evaluation

Wait for confirmation of receipt and evaluation by the Fondation de la faune du Québec
Monitor for any requests for additional information or clarification

Additional information

The program requires the submission of a general or specific resolution authorizing the representative to sign grant-related documents.
Applicants must provide a map to adequately illustrate the project's context and location.
For trail improvement projects, a pre-project study justifying the proposed work is mandatory.
Failure to submit all required documents may result in the application being deemed inadmissible.