Funding for the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

Overview

As part of the Federal Freshwater Action Plan, the Government of Canada is taking action to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems of national significance through Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives (FEIs) that support partner-led actions addressing regional freshwater challenges and priorities. The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will provide financial support for eligible projects that improve the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Mackenzie River Basin.

Eligibility

Eligible Projects

In the Mackenzie River Basin, whole basin scale concerns include downstream impacts to ecosystem health from development such as resource extraction, hydroelectric development and other activities; changing climate impacts such as melting permafrost impacting flow regimes and sediment loads; threats to food security; changes to biota and invasive species that may impact aquatic life; and other emerging issues.

In this context, the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects, implemented by domestic partners within the Mackenzie River Basin that address at least one of the following three program priorities below.

• Advancing Science and Knowledge
• Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement
• Enabling Resiliency and Adaptation

1. Advancing Science and Knowledge: Projects that address knowledge gaps by collecting, analyzing, sharing and/or using information to increase knowledge and/or understanding of stressors threatening freshwater quality and ecosystem health. Projects are encouraged to bridge Indigenous Knowledge (also referred to as Traditional Knowledge) and science to address gaps and employ respectful knowledge co-development.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Advancing the understanding of the impacts of:
  • changes in climate on freshwater and food security
  • emerging issues such as aquatic invasive species
  • sediment loading and other harmful pollutants
• Measurement, monitoring (including community-based monitoring to augment existing monitoring) or analysis of harmful pollutants including:
  • the impacts on freshwater ecosystem health
  • freshwater ecosystem changes or trends including climate-related factors
  • multiple stressors and related cumulative effects on freshwater ecosystems
  • development of place-based indicators of freshwater ecosystem health
• Development, testing and/or demonstration of innovative tools, technologies and techniques to improve freshwater quality and ecosystem health
• Identification of freshwater priorities, data and research gaps, and/or sharing of knowledge and information
• Using innovation, tools and approaches to share knowledge and information (e.g. audio or visual means, graphic demonstrations, etc.) to inform decision-making and actions to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems

2. Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement: Projects will support Indigenous-led efforts to advance knowledge of freshwater quality issues, and/or build capacity of Indigenous governments, communities and organizations and to address freshwater quality issues and concerns. This includes projects that enable participation of Indigenous youth and build a future knowledge bank to support intergenerational transfer of knowledge.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Gathering of Indigenous Knowledge and applying Indigenous Knowledge systems to inform decision making and actions related to freshwater quality
• Youth engagement and opportunities for intergenerational transfer of knowledge
• Building capacity, outreach, training, and engagement for Indigenous governments, communities and organizations to research and implement actions on the ground to address freshwater quality issues
• Projects that bring together diverse knowledge systems and perspectives to support actions and decision making related to freshwater quality

3. Enabling Resiliency and Adaption: Projects that encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts to improve freshwater quality and/or enable increased resiliency and adaptation through freshwater stewardship.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Enabling processes that support knowledge-based decision making to guide efforts at various scales to protect and/or restore freshwater in the basin
• Training, outreach and/or education to support the implementation of actions that improve freshwater quality and freshwater ecosystem health
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts among multiple partners to support the development and implementation of strategies and activities that improve freshwater ecosystem health in the Mackenzie River Basin
• Increase capacity and partnerships to mobilize knowledge and engage effectively on freshwater quality-focused activities

Projects Not Eligible for Funding

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding under the Mackenzie River FEI:

• Monitoring and data collection as stand-alone projects. These projects must be part of an overall trend analysis, or integrated planning process
• Projects that have a single-issue ‘action’ focus such as stream clean-ups, attending conferences, training, workshops and meetings
• Projects that are focused solely on water quantity, groundwater, or marine/estuary environments
• Projects designed only to beautify an area
• The purchase of land
• Projects required by law and/or mandated by a level of government; and
• Capital or operating costs of infrastructure projects (e.g. dikes, sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds)

Eligible Applicants

Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply and include:

• Domestic Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, boards, and associations.
• Domestic not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations.
• Domestic research, academic and educational institutions.
• Domestic regional, municipal and local governments, and
• Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs.
• Domestic for-profit organizations such as small businesses with less than 100 employees, companies, corporations, industry associations; and agricultural organizations

Although federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible funding recipients, they are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.

Eligible Project Costs

The following project costs are eligible:

• Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits.
• Management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, and legal fees.
• Hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses that are attributed directly to carrying out the project (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.
  • Hospitality expenditures can include costs related to Indigenous ceremonial offerings to be utilized or consumed during meetings or ceremonies such as traditional medicines, cultural foods, tea, and sacred plants.
• Costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony.
• Monetary Honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities which may include but not are not limited to translation and interpretative costs, leading a traditional opening/closing ceremony and/or prayer, the sharing of Traditional Knowledge and protocols, (including spiritual advice to individuals), and demonstrating traditional art and other practices.
• Materials and supplies costs.
• Printing, production, and distribution costs.
• Equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental.
• Vehicle rental and operation costs.
• Contractors required to perform activities related to the project.
• A reasonable share (20% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery.
• Any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by the Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces.

The following project costs are ineligible:

• Expenditures related to lobbyist fees
• Equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental for for-profit recipients; and
• Costs associated with land securement (e.g. leases, easements, covenants or servitudes)

Funding Details

Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Projects can be single or multi-year in nature but must be completed by March 31, 2027.  

The current request for proposals is for projects that will begin during the 2025/26 Fiscal Year. Projects that are not funded can be re-submitted through a future call for proposals.

Matching Requirements

Generally, one third of the total project support should be obtained from sources other than the Government of Canada. Given the geographic location of the Mackenzie River Basin in Northern Canada and that bridging knowledge gaps are a priority of the program, up to 90% of project costs will be eligible for program funding for Indigenous-led projects.  Employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are not counted as part of Government of Canada funding. Other sources of funding may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. Applicants located outside of the Mackenzie River Basin are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to those applicants that are geographically located within the Mackenzie River Basin.

In-kind support may include donations of:

• Equipment, materials and/or office space. 
• Volunteer time for project activities, coordination or professional services. 
• Expertise from consultants, elders or academics. 
• Any other donated goods or services that contribute to covering the costs of the project.

For Non-Indigenous Organizations:

One-third (1/3) of total project support (from all sources) must be obtained from non-federal government partners.

Funding through employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are exempt and can be used for matching purposes.

For Indigenous Organizations:

Ten percent (10%) of total project support (from all sources) must be obtained from non-federal government partners.

Funding through employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are exempt and can be used for matching purposes.

Geographic Location

In the Mackenzie River Basin.

Performance Indicators

Project proponents are required to report on all relevant key performance indicators from the list below. It is recommended that groups identify all indicators that apply to the project and explain how the target numbers were calculated.

• Number of Indigenous-led activities that enable freshwater stewardship and/or the intergenerational transfer of knowledge (# of activities)
• Number of partners or organizations contributing financial and/or in-kind resources (# of partners/organizations)
• Number of partner organizations engaged in project activities (# of organizations)
• Number of events that provide opportunity for increased collaboration (# of events)
• Number of events supporting knowledge transfer and sharing (# of events)
• Total number of sites with enhanced monitoring (# of sites)
• Number of youth involved/engaged in project activities (# of youth)
• Number of mitigation measures and/or management practices implemented (# of mitigation measures and/or management practices)
• Number of decision-support tools developed and/or implemented (# of tools)
• Number of reports/papers compiled and published (# of reports/papers)
• Number of jobs created (# of jobs)

Evaluation Criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed against, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Demonstrates strong linkages to the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative priorities. The application must clearly demonstrate how the project will contribute to desired outcomes for one of the three program priorities and demonstrate the need for the project and its importance for the health of the Mackenzie River.
• Builds partnerships through collaboration with other organizations. Contributions of the various partners and project collaborators need to be clearly described in the application including the benefits derived from these collaborations such as increased capacity and/or expertise and/or resources that are leveraged through these partnerships.
• Is scientifically and/or technically sound. (For projects that include scientific, research, and/or nutrient reduction components.) The application must provide detailed information on methodology and techniques used in order to evaluate the merit of the project. It must demonstrate the project will be based on knowledge including sound scientific principles and techniques and/or the use of diverse knowledge systems that inform the techniques and approaches being applied.
• Indigenous-led efforts and/or Knowledge Systems. For these types of projects, applications should describe how Indigenous governments, communities, and/or partners are actively engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Where applicable, details related to how the project enables capacity, knowledge sharing and the desired outcomes resulting from the project should be included.
• Builds on/integrates existing research and Knowledge/Indigenous Knowledge. Projects including these elements should describe how Indigenous organizations or communities are actively engaged in the design and delivery of the project. It must describe how Indigenous capacity relating to freshwater ecosystems will occur. Where applicable, details related to how the project enables knowledge sharing and the desired outcomes resulting from the project should be included.
• Communication of results and knowledge. Applicants are encouraged to seek opportunities for knowledge transfer to partners and/or external stakeholders or user groups in order to extend the reach of project outcomes. A competitive application will demonstrate a commitment to share results and findings as to enable benefits to be shared with a wide array of partners and stakeholders and achieve broad impacts throughout the watershed.

Application process

Applicants must submit their project proposal using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) online application system. The Applicant Guide is available in GCEMS. Applicants are encouraged to register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin their application.

Note: The online application system (GCEMS) is shared between CWA and ECCC.  References to ECCC in the system apply to both organizations.

It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve any errors. If an application is not submitted by the deadline, it will not be considered.

GCEMS Applicant User Guide: The GCEMS Applicant User Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for funding, including information on how to create, edit and submit project proposals.  

For technical assistance when using GCEMS: Contact the GCEMS team directly at sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca

Selection Process

The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative project funding decisions will follow a merit-based competitive process. Eligible projects will be evaluated on the quality and completeness of the application.

Completed applications will undergo a three-stage review process:

1. Administrative review by program staff to confirm eligibility (projects considered not eligible will be notified at the end of this stage).
2. Technical review by subject-matter experts to evaluate scientific and technical feasibility including methodology.
3. An Application Review Committee will ensure that program priorities and criteria are considered in the project evaluation and approval process.

Notification and Reporting Requirements

All applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing via email. If your application is approved, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Federal Members of Parliament and/or their team may be advised about the approval of a project and may be provided with information in the project application including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts and contact information.

Funding is conditional on the successful negotiation of a Contribution Agreement between the applicants and the CWA. Each Contribution Agreement must include written confirmation of all funding sources, a summary of project design, delivery, progress evaluations and anticipated results, as well as a budget forecast. All of these components must be accurately completed before the agreement can be signed.

All approved recipients are required to submit reports to CWA throughout the duration of the project as outlined in the Contribution Agreement. Payments are based on reporting and cannot be made until a report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by a CWA project officer.

Once a project has finished, a final report is required. The final payment will not be provided (minimum 10% holdback) until a final report has been submitted and approved by CWA.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Contact us

Email:   Mackenzie@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Related links

• Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System
• Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System Applicant User Guide