Open
Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants
Supports independent mineral exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 12,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Overview
The Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants provide direct financial support of up to $12,000 to eligible individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador for mineral exploration and prospecting activities. The program aims to encourage mineral sector development by funding traditional grassroots exploration, advanced exploration activities, air support for remote access, and essential sampling and analysis costs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 12,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Location
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Traditional and grassroots mineral prospecting projects on Crown Land or registered mineral claims.
- Advanced stage mineral exploration projects on staked properties.
- Exploration activities involving geochemical sampling and ground-based geophysical surveying.
- Projects requiring logistical access to remote properties for mineral exploration.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Independent prospectors
- Individuals involved in mineral exploration activities
Who is not eligible
- Directors and/or principals of publicly listed exploration companies.
- Applicants seeking to conduct prospecting on third-party mineral licences or private property without permission from the property owner.
- Applicants seeking to conduct prospecting in Wilderness and Ecological Reserves, National/Provincial Parks, or areas designated as Exempt Mineral Lands.
Eligible expenses
- Geochemical analysis, including sample shipping and analysis costs.
- Meals allowance for field work (up to specified daily/per grant limits).
- Prospecting-specific supplies and equipment (e.g., gold pans, hammers, shovels, field stationary; limited one-time purchases of GPS and soil auger).
- Fuel costs for vehicles used in exploration activities (e.g., truck, ATV, snowmobile) within allowed limits.
- Rental of equipment such as ATVs, boats, and heavy equipment from independent providers (excluding standard vehicle rentals).
- Accommodation expenses for project areas located more than 150 km from home (subject to nightly and total maximums).
- Casual help for manual labour deemed essential, including daily allowance for labour and food (if approved).
- Travel, meals (with receipt), and accommodation expenses related to attending the Mineral Resources Review (MRR) Conference in St. John’s, NL (within specified limits).
- Professional geoscientist consultation fees (up to daily and total grant percentage limits) for mapping, interpretation, and related exploration report writing.
- Air support costs (e.g., helicopter, float plane, aviation fuel) for access to remote properties (up to 80% and specified maximums).
- One round-trip travel allowance between the island and Labrador portion of the Province for property access.
Eligible geographic areas
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Additional information
- The names, electoral districts, and final grant payment amounts for successful applicants are published annually on the government website.
- Applications will be accepted starting April 1 each year, and final reports are generally due by December 31 of the same year.
- Extensions for report submission are only considered in cases of laboratory delays, and must be substantiated by documentation.
- Receipts and invoices for reimbursement must be unaltered, legible, and submitted in an organized format as outlined in the operational guidelines.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants. 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.
What is the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants?
The Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants provide direct financial support of up to $12,000 to eligible individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador for mineral exploration and prospecting activities. The program aims to encourage mineral sector development by funding traditional grassroots exploration, advanced exploration activities, air support for remote access, and essential sampling and analysis costs.
How much funding can be received?
Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants Funds up to $12,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants program?
To be eligible for the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants program, you must:
Directors and/or principals of publicly listed exploration companies are not eligible.
Applications by organizations must relate to exploration activities on mineral licences registered in the applicant’s name or jointly owned.
What expenses are eligible under Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants?
Traditional and grassroots mineral prospecting projects on Crown Land or registered mineral claims.
Advanced stage mineral exploration projects on staked properties.
Exploration activities involving geochemical sampling and ground-based geophysical surveying.
Projects requiring logistical access to remote properties for mineral exploration.
Who can I contact for more information about the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants?
You can contact Government of Newfoundland and Labrador by email at mineralincentive@gov.nl.ca.
Where is the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants available?
The Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants program is available the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Is the Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Prospecting Assistance (PA) Grants is a Grant and Funding