Open
Study: Community Energy Systems
Supports feasibility studies for low-carbon community energy system design
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 200,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
This grant provides up to $200,000 (up to 50% of eligible costs) to fund a detailed feasibility study describing the design of a proposed low‑carbon community energy system. Eligible activities include detailed project design, assessing local renewable energy sources, stakeholder engagement and public consultation, financial analysis, regulatory approvals, impact assessments, and climate risk assessment.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
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
- Conduct a feasibility study to define the concept and implementation viability of a proposed low‑carbon community energy system.
- Develop and validate the final system concept (technical approach, expected costs, and potential revenue sources) for a community energy system.
- Carry out stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the feasibility study and incorporate feedback.
- Complete an in-depth financial analysis to support the feasibility study (cost estimates, revenue projections, return on investment, and financing options).
- Assess project impacts and risks to support implementation planning (including climate risk assessment and regulatory/approval processes, as applicable).
Documents Needed
- Pre-application form
- Full application form
- Project workbook
- Supporting documents required in the funding application guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian municipal governments (e.g., municipalities, regions, districts, local councils)
- Private-sector entities partnering with a municipality
- Municipal corporations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profit organizations
- Research institutes (e.g., universities)
Eligible expenses
- Detailed project design and engineering fees for the proposed community energy system.
- Studies and verification costs to confirm the availability of local energy sources.
- Costs to confirm energy off-takers (energy customers) and other end-users of products created by the proposed system.
- Detailed financial analysis costs (e.g., cost estimates, revenue forecasts, return-on-investment analysis, financing options).
- Preparation of tendering/procurement documents for the capital project.
- Stakeholder engagement and public consultation costs.
- Regulatory approval process costs.
- Impact assessment process costs.
- Climate risk assessment costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (Canadian municipalities and eligible partners).
- Northern Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the northern parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia (as defined by Statistics Canada codes).
- Quebec (specific submission process for Quebec municipalities via the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation).
Processing and Agreement
- FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) reviews your pre-application to confirm eligibility before inviting a full application (response within 15 business days).
- After the full application is submitted, a GMF project officer reviews it for completeness and accuracy and may request revisions to strengthen the file.
- The application is assessed through external peer review and an internal GMF review to develop a funding recommendation for GMF and FCM decision-makers.
- FCM issues the funding decision: feasibility studies are decided within 3–5 months after the full application is submitted (capital projects: 4–6 months).
- If approved, FCM prepares a funding agreement between FCM and the applicant.
Additional information
- Funding applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but this offering may end once all available funds have been allocated.
- A detailed feasibility study describing the proposed low-carbon community energy system concept is the expected deliverable.
- It is strongly recommended to complete a business case before the feasibility study; a business case and feasibility study can also be carried out in parallel within the same project.
- For Quebec municipalities, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH) reviews applications before they are submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Study: Community Energy Systems Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Study: Community Energy Systems. 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 Study: Community Energy Systems?
This grant provides up to $200,000 (up to 50% of eligible costs) to fund a detailed feasibility study describing the design of a proposed low‑carbon community energy system. Eligible activities include detailed project design, assessing local renewable energy sources, stakeholder engagement and public consultation, financial analysis, regulatory approvals, impact assessments, and climate risk assessment.
How much funding can be received?
Study: Community Energy Systems Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Study: Community Energy Systems program?
To be eligible for the Study: Community Energy Systems program, you must:
Canadian municipal governments (e.g., municipalities, regions, districts, local councils).
Municipal partners (private-sector entity, municipal corporation, NGO/non-profit, or research institute such as a university).
Indigenous community as lead applicant, partnered with a Canadian municipal government (or with a shared-services agreement with one).
What expenses are eligible under Study: Community Energy Systems?
Conduct a feasibility study to define the concept and implementation viability of a proposed low‑carbon community energy system.
Develop and validate the final system concept (technical approach, expected costs, and potential revenue sources) for a community energy system.
Carry out stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the feasibility study and incorporate feedback.
Complete an in-depth financial analysis to support the feasibility study (cost estimates, revenue projections, return on investment, and financing options).
Assess project impacts and risks to support implementation planning (including climate risk assessment and regulatory/approval processes, as applicable).
Who can I contact for more information about the Study: Community Energy Systems?
You can contact Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) by email at fmvinfo@fcm.ca or by phone at 1-877-417-0550.
Where is the Study: Community Energy Systems available?
The Study: Community Energy Systems program is available across Canada.
Is the Study: Community Energy Systems a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Study: Community Energy Systems is a Grant and Funding