The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR), formerly known as the ‘Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR)’, is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The program recognizes the important role Indigenous peoples have in wildlife conservation by supporting Indigenous leadership in the conservation, protection, and recovery of species at risk and culturally significant species, and their habitats on Indigenous lands or territories. The program also supports the development of Indigenous capacity to actively participate in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). 

The IPSAR program supports projects for terrestrial species^{Footnote 1} including birds, land mammals, reptiles, and plants.

Since 2004, more than $60 million has been invested in over 1,000 Indigenous-led projects benefitting species at risk across Canada.

Program objectives

IPSAR provides funding for projects that help conserve, protect, and recover species at risk, culturally significant species, and their habitats. It also provides funding to support the development of capacity to actively participate in the implementation of the SARA. Proposed activities must demonstrate how they help achieve recovery objectives and population goals of target species and must contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

• support and promote the conservation, protection, and recovery of target species and their habitats on Indigenous lands or lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities are carried out by Indigenous peoples
• support the engagement and leadership of Indigenous peoples in the conservation and recovery of species at risk, their habitats and SARA processes

Eligibility requirements

Applicant eligibility

Indigenous communities and organizations located in Canada are eligible for funding, including:

• Indigenous not-for-profit and for-profit organizations
• Territorially-based Indigenous groups
• Chiefs' councils, district councils, and tribal councils
• Traditionally appointed advisory committees
• Indigenous corporations, partnerships, and groups
• Indigenous research, academic, and educational institutions
• Indigenous cultural education centres
• Indigenous land/resource management authorities
• Indigenous co-operatives
• Indigenous societies, boards, and commissions
• Other organizations (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) if mandated by one of the above eligible recipients
• Indigenous cooperatives

Project eligibility

Eligible lands or locations

Project activities may take place on the following eligible lands or locations:

• reserves and lands set aside for the use and benefit of Indigenous peoples under the Indian Act or under section 91 (24) of the Constitution Act of 1867
• other lands directly controlled by Indigenous peoples (e.g. Métis Settlement lands, and land claim/treaty settlement lands)
• lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities (harvesting or other) are carried out by Indigenous peoples

Eligible species

Projects must support and promote the conservation, protection, and recovery of species at risk and their habitats. To be eligible for IPSAR funding, projects must include one or more species from:

• Species At Risk Act (SARA) Schedule 1 species as listed in the SARA Public Registry (except those listed as extirpated)
• COSEWIC species assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered, threatened, or of special concern but have not been listed on Schedule 1 of SARA

While IPSAR funding must include a SARA or COSEWIC species, projects may include non-listed species with proposed actions that proactively prevent them from becoming a conservation concern.

Eligible activities

The following activity categories are eligible for funding under IPSAR. Activities that do not fall under these categories are subject to approval by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Please discuss potential project activities other than those listed below with a Regional IPSAR Coordinator.

• habitat protection and securement through purchase, donation, or other securement means
• habitat improvement by enhancing or restoring habitat and/or changing land/water management or land/water use practices of target species
• species stewardship with direct intervention for target species under immediate threat from human activity or proactive/preventative activities
• conservation planning and developing local SAR conservation strategies, land use guidelines/best practices, and planning stewardship programs including engagement strategies for target audiences.
• surveys, inventories, and monitoring including identifying potential sites for habitat restoration or assessing the presence of a target species and its habitat
• project or program results evaluation to assess the social and biological results and effectiveness of conservation activities
• document and use of Indigenous knowledge; developing strategies, procedures, and/or protocols for community-led documentation, management, and use of Indigenous knowledge
• outreach and communications to appropriate audiences about conservation needs and specific actions to protect target species and promote stewardship to improve attitudes and change behaviours
• education and training to enhance knowledge, skills, and information exchange for practioners, stakeholders, and other relevant individuals

Ineligible projects and activities include:

• activities that are not closely linked to prescribed recovery actions in completed recovery strategies, action plans, or management plans when available for SARA-listed species and/or wildlife/conservation plans for COSEWIC-assessed species not listed on SARA
• creation of promotional merchandise (such as hats or mugs)
• scientific research activities, captive breeding, captive rearing, extirpated species reintroductions, and the development of recovery strategies or action plans, including the identification of Critical Habitat as required under SARA. However, IPSAR-funded activities can contribute to the content of recovery documents, such as through the collection of species data that can be used to inform on habitat needs, threat mitigation measures, etc.

Please note, this is not a comprehensive list. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your project and activities, please email the National IPSAR office for assistance.

Other considerations
Impact Assessment Act, 2019

Contact us by email paep-ipsar@ec.gc.ca, to determine if the environmental effects of a project may be required under the Impact Assessment Act, 2019.

Official languages

The Official Languages Act (Part VII) requires that the Government of Canada promote both official languages and enhance the vitality of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) across Canada. It is recognized that projects or organizations funded by ECCC through a contributions program may have an impact on OLMC; and/or may provide potential opportunities to promote the use of both English and French; and/or may make it possible to promote Canada's bilingual nature.

Applicants whose project may be delivered in a geographic area with OLMCs or which includes any public events, signage, promotional, or other communications may need to consider official language requirements, for example:

• Offer materials produced with project funds (brochures, kits, handouts, newsletters, reports, etc.) in both official languages
• Have directional and educational signs produced in both official languages
• Offer workshop facilitation in both official languages

Any cost related to official language translation is an eligible cost under the program.

Applicants must complete the Official Language section of the funding application in order to assess the official language requirements that may apply to the project.

Multi-year projects

New projects may extend 1 to 3 years. Previously approved projects may request additional funds for up to an additional five (5) years, to a maximum 10-year project total.

Regional administration of projects

Applicants whose project crosses regional boundaries should identify a primary region based on where the majority of activities will take place. It is strongly recommended that applicants with projects crossing over regional boundaries discuss their project with the primary region's coordinator early in the application process.

Available funding and matching contributions

The amount of funding per project varies depending on project activities. Project funding usually ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per project, per year.

Project start dates

The fiscal year for funding projects is from April 1st to March 31st. When choosing a project start date, allow several months following the funding application deadline to account for the application evaluation process, program funding decisions, and funding agreement negotiation with IPSAR if your project is successful. Applicants are encouraged to consider potential impacts of timing for funding decisions on proposed project activities and budgets. 

Matching contribution requirements

IPSAR funding has a matching contribution requirement of a minimum of 0.20:1 from non-federal sources matching in-kind or cash contributions ($0.20 confirmed match for $1 IPSAR funding). Non-Indigenous applicants are required to obtain a minimum of 1:1 from non-federal sources matching in-kind or cash contributions ($1 confirmed match for $1 IPSAR funding). Matching contribution requirements also applies to non-Indigenous applicants applying on behalf of an Indigenous group.

The  requirement for matching funds is based on obtaining funds over the duration of the project and approval is not contingent on securement of all matching funds up front. In a single year of the project the matching rate can be less than 20% of the IPSAR funding amount as long as the 20% is met by the project's completion.

In-kind contributions

In-kind contributions are goods or services donated that would otherwise have to be purchased such as technical advice, equipment or facility use, volunteer assistance, honoraria, etc.

Eligible match sources include band contributions, provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, individuals, and the applicant.

Contributions from other federal funding programs (e.g., EcoAction, Habitat Stewardship Program [HSP]) and federal funds administered by third-party non-governmental organizations) are not eligible as match.

Note Re: ‘Anticipated Funding' - All proposed contributions must be listed in the application. If the IPSAR application is successful, all confirmed contributions must be identified in the Contribution Agreement signed with ECCC. If the applicant is not sure where the funding will come from precisely, they can specify at the time of application “Anticipated funding from other project funders.”

Application deadline

The deadline for submitting a funding application using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) portal is November 13, 2025, 14:00:00 Eastern Time.

Application extensions

To provide equal treatment to all applicants, extensions are not granted. Should you experience significant issues with submitting your application, please contact SGESC-GCEMS for support or the IPSAR National email before the call closes. To avoid problems, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early, as online systems can become slower as the deadline nears, due to a high volume of applicants accessing the system.

Apply for funding

Project proposals are accepted through the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). Information on setting up an account is found on the ‘How to apply’ page. Explore the information found there to learn more about the process. Please contact the National IPSAR Office if you require an accessible format of the application form or would like to apply using an alternate format. 

Applicant guide

Please contact the National IPSAR Office to obtain a copy of the applicant guide to review step-by-step instructions on using the online Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) to apply for funding.

If you have difficulties with the GCEMS application system, the GCEMS technical support staff are quick to respond for assistance.

News releases

The IPSAR news releases and announced projects can be found below.

• Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous communities to protect species at risk and their habitats (June 27, 2024)
• Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous communities to protect species at risk and their habitats (June 29, 2022)
• Government of Canada announces funding for protection of species at risk and their habitats (December 8, 2021)

Contact Us

For general questions, enquiries, and news about IPSAR, please contact the National IPSAR Office and include your location (province or territory) in the email.

National IPSAR Office
Email: PAEP-IPSAR@ec.gc.ca