Environmental Damages Fund: available funds and application process
Available funds
Funding is available from the Environmental Damages Fund’s (EDF) Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) to support projects that can take place anywhere in Canada. This funding opportunity is offered as Stream 3 of ECCC’s Canada Environmental Science Opportunity for research and analysis projects to support Canada’s path to net zero.
EDF funds come from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments following environmental infractions. Availability of funding at any given time varies according to the number of court awards and voluntary contributions directed to the EDF.
Nationwide
Application deadline: July 7, 2026, 15:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Location: Any province or territory in Canada
Funds available: $15,480,000
Eligible applicants:
Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations, and must fall under one of the following categories:
- Non-governmental organizations (e.g., think tanks and research-based institutions, including registered charities, Indigenous research organizations, environmental community groups, etc.)
- Universities and academic institutions (e.g., community colleges, Indigenous Institutes, CÉGEP)
Fund use requirement:
Stream 3: Research and analysis to support Canada’s path to net zero
Applicants must request between $500,000 and $2 million (over a maximum of 5 years) from ECCC in the application budget to be eligible for funding. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their project meets one or more of the following themes:
Theme A: Identifying future considerations of GHGs and air pollutants in achieving net zero
For projects that advance research and development related to future GHG emissions and the impact of air pollutants on climate, air quality, and achieving net zero in Canada.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- examine trends of GHG emissions and air pollutants and their cross-influences on climate and air quality
- improve simulations of climate impacts from disturbance-related emissions (e.g. forest fires, permafrost thaw, land-use changes)
- inform our understanding of how atmospheric chemistry in urban and background or rural sites will change in the future, particularly with the impact of climate forcers on air quality
Theme B: Examining impacts of technologies and obstacles on pathways to reach net zero
For projects related to advancing research and development related to mitigation actions, technologies, and overshoot pathways on the road to net zero in Canada.
Priority will be given to projects that examine the efficacy of different technologies, actions, and practices (including the development and testing of measurement tools) for achieving net zero. The results should aim to enhance the understanding of viable actions and technologies to reach net zero in a Canadian context.
Priority may also be given to projects that identify and assess risks of multiple overshoot pathways or the scale and feasibility of necessary Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).
Theme C: Enhancing emissions data to evaluate net zero progress
For projects related to advancing research and development related to enhancing measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) of GHG and air pollutant emissions to support national inventories and/or evaluate progress towards Canada’s emission reduction goals.
Priority will be given to projects that explore methods to improve the quantification of emissions from: sectors such as oil and gas, waste, and healthcare; agricultural practices; human management of natural landscapes (e.g., forest management); or refrigerants. The results should aim to enhance the quality of information used to estimate and report Canada’s national inventories of GHG sources and sinks.
Priority may be given to projects that address gaps in emissions data, such as providing emission factors for biofuels.
Application process
Step 1: Confirm available funds and project eligibility
Log into Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) to review the funding opportunity and EDF Applicant Guide. The Guide contains in-depth eligibility criteria and tips to strengthen your application. Refer to the Guide to ensure all proposed project activities are eligible for funding and that the project satisfies the Fund Use Requirement(s).
For more information about available funds in your province or territory or to discuss the application process with an EDF program officer, please email enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca.
If contacting ECCC about an application in GCEMS, please always reference the ID number associated with the application.
Step 2: Prepare your funding application using GCEMS
Visit the GCEMS application instructions page for technical assistance documents, tutorials, and support throughout your application preparation.
Step 3: Submit your application
Once you have submitted your application through GCEMS, the portal automatically generates an acknowledgment of receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, it is important that you email sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca to confirm that your application was received.
Following the project review phase, a decision will be communicated to you by email.
Contact us
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca