Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
Species Conservation Program
Funding for species at risk conservation in Ontario
Latest source updateLast Update: July 7, 2026Latest change: The Species Conservation Program page now says the application period is closed, removes the specific deadline from the apply section, adds a program contact email, and refreshes the current projects list for 2026-2027.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 7, 2026
Latest change: The Species Conservation Program page now says the application period is closed, removes the specific deadline from the apply section, adds a program contact email, and refreshes the current projects list for 2026-2027.
Species Conservation Program update
The Species Conservation Program page now says the application period is currently closed, and the how-to-apply section no longer shows the previous deadline of 3:00 p.m. on November 27, 2025; it now points applicants to the annual call for applications instead. The page also adds a program inquiry email address, species.conservation.program@ontario.ca, and the current projects list has been refreshed to show 2026-2027 projects.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
November 27, 2025
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Species Conservation Program supports projects that protect and conserve plants and animals at risk in Ontario. Established in 2025 under the amended Endangered Species Act, 2007 and continued under the Species Conservation Act, 2025, it builds on the former Species at Risk Stewardship Program.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Other Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Habitat preservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement
- Public education and outreach on species conservation
- Direct threat mitigation and recovery actions
- Field surveys, monitoring, and research
- Land securement for long-term protection of species at risk
Documents Needed
- Completed 2026-27 SCP Application Form
- Supporting documents required by the application form
- Budget table spreadsheet
- Proof of insurance, if approved
- Transfer payment agreement, if approved
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Academic institutions
- Businesses and consulting companies
- Indigenous communities and organizations
- Municipal and local governments
- Non-government organizations
Who is not eligible
- Provincial government ministries
- Federal government departments and agencies
- Unincorporated informal groups or clubs
Eligible expenses
- Staff wages and mandatory benefits directly tied to project delivery
- Materials and supplies
- Third-party services and consultant fees
- Transportation, accommodation, and public meeting hospitality costs
- Equipment or capital items, administration, support services, and land securement costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses beyond the approved funding amount
- Alcohol and other non-eligible food or beverage costs
- Costs required by law or legal obligations under species-at-risk legislation
- Direct funding to provincial government ministries or federal departments and agencies
- Profit margins or unrelated expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Alignment with SCP objectives and annual priorities
- Meaningful impact on species at risk conservation
- Strong project design, workplan, and feasibility
- Expertise, partnerships, and value for money
- Application quality and long-term conservation value
How to apply
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal by the closing date of the annual call for applications.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage assessment process.
- Applications are evaluated against program objectives, annual priorities, project value, design, partnerships, and value for money.
- Applicants are notified in writing of the decision.
- Successful applicants must enter into a transfer payment agreement before payments are made.
- The ministry may request clarification or additional information during assessment.
Additional information
- Projects can be multi-year, spanning 1 to 5 years.
- Successful applicants must sign a transfer payment agreement before payments are made.
- The ministry may ask for clarification or additional information during review.
- Applicants should consult the 2026-27 program guidelines for full details.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Species Conservation Program Program
What is the Species Conservation Program?
The Species Conservation Program supports projects that protect and conserve plants and animals at risk in Ontario. Established in 2025 under the amended Endangered Species Act, 2007 and continued under the Species Conservation Act, 2025, it builds on the former Species at Risk Stewardship Program.
Who is eligible for the Species Conservation Program program?
To be eligible for the Species Conservation Program program, you must:
Legal entity
Benefit species at risk
Support program objectives
What expenses are eligible under Species Conservation Program?
Habitat preservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement
Public education and outreach on species conservation
Direct threat mitigation and recovery actions
Field surveys, monitoring, and research
Land securement for long-term protection of species at risk
Who can I contact for more information about the Species Conservation Program?
You can contact Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks by email at species.conservation.program@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-855-216-3090.
Where is the Species Conservation Program available?
The Species Conservation Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Species Conservation Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Species Conservation Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Species Conservation Program?
Species Conservation Program is funded by Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks