Grants Support Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation (Canada)

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada program supports projects that improve freshwater quality and ecosystem health, strengthen freshwater management, and promote sustainable freshwater outcomes across Canada. Through the EcoAction Stream 2, eligible applicants can receive between $25,000 and $200,000 for projects that demonstrate tangible environmental results and contribute to long-term freshwater sustainability. Projects may be national in scope, span multiple regions, or involve scalable local initiatives with the potential to create national impact. Funded projects can be single- or multi-year but must be completed within the two-year timeframe ending March 31, 2029.

About the Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation Program

The program is designed to support innovative approaches to freshwater sustainability across Canada. It focuses on projects that can improve freshwater ecosystems while strengthening the way freshwater resources are managed, monitored, and protected. The initiative particularly encourages projects with broader relevance, including those that can be replicated or scaled beyond their original location. Key Objectives The program supports projects that aim to: - Improve freshwater quality. - Strengthen freshwater ecosystem health. - Improve freshwater management. - Promote sustainable freshwater outcomes. - Pilot innovative or clean technology solutions. - Support circular economy opportunities. - Improve freshwater data interoperability, access, and use. - Integrate Indigenous knowledge into freshwater management. - Engage communities and organizations in freshwater stewardship. - Create environmental results that continue beyond project completion. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The program supports several types of freshwater sustainability and innovation initiatives. Innovative and Clean Technology Projects can pilot innovative or clean technology solutions designed to improve freshwater quality and ecosystem health. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed technology can contribute to measurable environmental improvements. Circular Economy Opportunities The program also supports freshwater projects that create circular economy opportunities.

Examples include:

- Nutrient recycling. - Nutrient recovery. - Other approaches that reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. These initiatives can help connect freshwater protection with more sustainable resource use. Freshwater Data and Knowledge Another focus is improving freshwater data systems. Projects can address challenges related to: - Data interoperability. - Data access. - Data use. - Effective integration of information for freshwater management. The program also recognizes the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge to strengthen freshwater management approaches. National Relevance and Scalability Projects do not necessarily need to operate across the entire country. The program is designed to support initiatives that have: - National relevance. - Multi-regional scope. - Scalable local approaches with potential for national impact. This means a local project may be suitable when its approach has strong potential to be expanded, replicated, or applied in other Canadian regions. Environmental Results and Community Engagement Funded projects must achieve tangible environmental results. Applicants should therefore clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities will contribute to measurable improvements in freshwater sustainability. Community and organizational engagement is also important. Projects should involve communities and organizations in improving freshwater management and stewardship. The program also seeks projects that create engagement and sustainable outcomes that continue after the funded project ends. Funding Available Through EcoAction Stream 2, projects can receive:

- Minimum funding: $25,000.

- Maximum funding: $200,000.

Projects can be either single-year or multi-year. However, all funded projects must be completed within the two-year timeframe ending March 31, 2029. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include a broad range of Canadian organizations and institutions.

These include:

- Canadian not-for-profit organizations. - Municipal and local governments. - Research and academic institutions. - For-profit organizations with fewer than 100 employees. - Indigenous organizations. - Indigenous governments. - Indigenous boards. - Indigenous commissions. - Indigenous communities. - Indigenous associations. - Indigenous authorities. The inclusion of public, nonprofit, academic, private-sector, and Indigenous applicants allows different types of organizations to contribute to freshwater sustainability. Role of Indigenous Knowledge The program specifically recognizes the integration of Indigenous knowledge as part of effective freshwater management. Projects that involve Indigenous organizations, governments, communities, or other eligible Indigenous bodies can contribute important knowledge and approaches to freshwater stewardship. This can help strengthen the relevance and effectiveness of freshwater management initiatives. What Makes a Strong Project? A strong project should demonstrate a clear connection between its activities and freshwater sustainability outcomes.

Applicants should consider explaining:

- The freshwater challenge being addressed. - The proposed solution or innovation. - The environmental results expected. - How freshwater quality or ecosystem health will improve. - How communities and organizations will participate. - How data will be improved, shared, integrated, or used where relevant. - How Indigenous knowledge will be incorporated where appropriate. - How the project can create sustainable outcomes after completion. - Whether the approach can be replicated or scaled nationally. Projects should have a clear pathway from activities to measurable environmental improvements. Project Duration Projects supported u