Environmental Damages Fund: available funds and application process
Available funds
Environmental Damages Fund (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.
Funding is available to support projects that can take place anywhere in Canada, as well as for projects taking place specifically in Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Quebec.
Applicants must, in their application, specify which of the available funds they are applying for, the location (province/territory) where the project will be undertaken, funds available, and how their project meets the Fund Use Requirement(s).
Nationwide
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Any province or territory in Canada
Funds Available: $614,655.00
Fund Use Requirement:
Stream 1: For projects related to advancing research and development related to (1) improving the body of knowledge of substances found in consumer products that may impact the environment in Canada; and/or (2) identifying methods for reducing environmental risk of harmful substances found in consumer products in Canada. Applicants with projects of national scope or projects from any province or territory are welcome to apply.
Priority may be given to projects focusing on cosmetics/personal care products. Applicants must request a minimum of $50,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
Stream 2: For projects related to increasing education and awareness related to (1) raising awareness of the environmental impact of substances found in consumer products in Canada; and/or (2) promoting good practices to mitigate the environmental impact of substances found in consumer products in Canada. Applicants with projects of national scope or projects from any province or territory are welcome to apply.
Priority may be given to projects focusing on cosmetics/personal care products. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
Northwest Territories
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Northwest Territories
Funds Available: $507,765.08
Fund Use Requirement: For projects related to the conservation, protection, and/or restoration of the environment, including fish or fish habitat, in the Northwest Territories; priority may be given to projects within the Great Slave Lake watershed. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application’s budget to be eligible for funding.
British Columbia
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: British Columbia
Funds Available: $855,000.00
Fund Use Requirement: For projects related to the conservation of fish and fish habitat in the Omineca region of British Columbia. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
Quebec
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Quebec
Funds Available: $1,000,281.77
Fund Use Requirement: For projects proposing concrete actions aimed at reducing transportation-related air pollution in Quebec, by increasing the total amount, usage, and quality of active transportation projects, and encouraging urban mobility. This fund will support projects that encourage a modal shift away from automobiles that contribute to air pollution. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Quebec
Funds Available: $570,000.00
Fund Use Requirement: For projects related to the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat or the restoration of fish habitat in Quebec, with priority for projects in the St. Lawrence River between Sorel-Tracy and Trois-Rivières. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
Application Deadline: December 18, 2025, 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Quebec
Funds Available: $1,950,000.00
Fund Use Requirement: For projects related to the conservation, protection, and/or restoration of fish or fish habitat in Quebec, with priority for projects in the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine regions. Applicants must request a minimum of $250,000 from ECCC in the application's budget to be eligible for funding.
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 your ECCC regional office.
If contacting ECCC about a proposal 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
National EDF Office
E-mail: EDF-FDE@ec.gc.ca
East and Central Region
Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
E-mail: fde.est.centre-edf.east.central@ec.gc.ca
West and North Region
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon
E-mail: fdeouestnord-edfwestnorth@ec.gc.ca