How to apply

Expression of interest

If you are interested in applying to the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), we strongly recommend that you contact you regional HSP coordinator to obtain an Expression of Interest form, or to discuss your proposed project to verify its eligibility and alignment with program priorities. Although this does not guarantee that the project will receive funding, this process will typically help you improve your application.

On-line application system

You must submit your project application using Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). GCEMS is now open to receive applications for projects or additional funding to current HSP projects starting in the fiscal year 2025-2026 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026).

If you do not already have a user account, you will first need to create one. Visit ECCC's environmental funding programs’ application page for instructions on how to create an account and to log in to GCEMS. If you require an accessible format for the application form, please contact your regional HSP coordinator to request the application in an alternative format.

For more guidance on completing the HSP application, please consult the Applicant Guide, or reach out to your regional HSP coordinator. The GCEMS team can also help you resolve technical issues; contact them at sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca.

Application deadline

The 2025-2026 call for applications will close on October 30, 2024, at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

At the closing time, GCEMS will cease to accept application submissions. Please note that we will not grant extensions to the application deadline due to personal considerations, minor technical malfunctions, or other similar reasons.

We encourage you to submit your application early, especially if you also need to create a new account. GCEMS can become slower as the deadline nears due to a high volume of proponents accessing the system, and creating a new account may not be instantaneous.

In accordance with ECCC's Grants and Contributions Service Standards, you should receive an acknowledgement that your application was submitted successfully within five working days of applying. Please contact sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca and copy your regional HSP coordinator if you have submitted an application but have not received this acknowledgment.

How applications are reviewed

Regional HSP coordinators review every application for projects in their region, to confirm that they are eligible to receive HSP funding (species, applicants, activities, expenses, matching funds, etc.). Coordinators will then evaluate and prioritize eligible applications using the following criteria:

• 60% for alignment with program objectives and priorities
• 40% for technical merit of the application, which includes (though is not limited to) overall quality of the project application, feasibility of the project, and, if relevant, consideration of past performance

Please note:

• The ability of applicants to complete all reporting and administration requirements under the HSP will be considered during the evaluation. To this end, project evaluators will consider past performance in meeting reporting and administration deadlines for previous HSP projects and other contribution agreements with ECCC. Inability to meet these reporting requirements may result in disqualification of an applicant for future funding.

What we look for

A high-quality project is one that:

• is developed with the involvement of recovery expert(s) for the target species or links to conservation activities identified in recovery strategies / action plans for endangered or threatened species, or in management plans for species of special concern, where these documents exist;
• links to conservation activities identified in wildlife/conservation plans for COSEWIC-assessed species not listed on schedule 1 of SARA;
• incorporates other regional considerations including benefits to multiple species with regional priority targeted species, and ability to address critical habitat of SARA-listed species;
• coordinates with other habitat conservation programs or partners, for both recovery actions and cost-efficiency;
• demonstrates a high degree of local and regional support from a variety of partners;
• involves individuals and communities with local experience/knowledge;
• demonstrates your ability to plan, manage and complete projects successfully (e.g., describes the issues and solutions to be implemented);
• demonstrates the appropriateness of budget and schedules, which are realistic given the time frame and objectives of the project;
• has a high likelihood of success based on realistic deliverables and your experience;
• includes other funding sources above the minimum eligible match funding ratio, demonstrating your ability to raise funds from non-federal sources;
• is presented in a clear, concise and logical manner;
• has a well-developed workplan and has a plan to measure project results, and
• implements evaluation and performance measures.

As the demand for funding from HSP regularly exceeds the funds available, we do not guarantee that a project will be funded. If your application is successful, HSP may be able to reimburse you for project expenses incurred prior to the official notification but incurring these costs prior to funding decisions is at your own risk.

Important: Please note that due to Government of Canada policy, we are prohibited to communicate with applicants regarding the status of their application until the final departmental decisions have been reached. We will make every effort to provide you with the earliest possible notice once a decision has been made; however, you should expect variation in the timing of notifications within HSP and between HSP and other ECCC or Government of Canada funding programs. We will aim to have HSP funding decisions available by spring 2025.

For Accepted Applications

Once departmental approval in principle has been confirmed, all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project application is approved in principle, you will be contacted to negotiate a contribution agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Please refer to the HSP Applicant guide for more information on the steps following a successful funding decision. We will aim to provide HSP funding decisions by spring 2025.

Main Links

Environmental funding programs: Application

Habitat Stewardship Program Applicant Guide

Contact us

For general ECCC or Canadian Wildlife Service enquiries, please contact 1-800-668-6767 or ec.enviroinfo.ec@ec.gc.ca.

If you have any further questions, please contact the national HSP secretariat at PIH-HSP@ec.gc.ca, or contact your regional HSP coordinators. Please note that regional HSP coordinators are available to answer questions during regular business hours, local time.

Regional HSP coordinators

Atlantic region (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick)
Email: SCF-Atl.PIH-CWS-Atl.HSP@ec.gc.ca

Quebec region
Jérôme Desrosiers
Email: jerome.desrosiers@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 581-703-2747

Ontario region
Patrick Rivers
Email: patrick.rivers@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 416-433-8322

Prairie region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)
Monika Tan
Email: monika.tan@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 639-398-6402

Pacific region (British Columbia)
Adèle McKay
Email: adele.mckay@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 343-572-1563

Northern region (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut)
Christopher Carli
Email: christopher.carli@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 867-334-7393