Funding freshwater action in the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed
Announcement
The application submission period for funding under the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is now closed.
Please contact us by email at wolastoqsaintjean-wolastoqsaintjohn@cwa-aec.gc.ca
for more information.
Overview
As part of the Federal Freshwater Action Plan, the Government of Canada is taking action to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems of national significance through Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives. The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will provide financial support for eligible projects that will improve the water quality and ecological health of the Wolastoq/Saint John River Watershed.
The Call for Application for projects starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year is now closed.
Eligibility
Eligible projects
The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects to be implemented by domestic partners in the Canadian portion (Quebec/New Brunswick) of the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed that address at least one of the following three program priorities:
1. Nutrient Reduction: Projects will implement actions to reduce nutrient loading and increase public awareness and engagement on water quality protection.
Types of projects to be funded include:
- Development and testing of innovative tools, technologies, techniques, and demonstration projects that reduce nutrient loading into the river.
- Implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs) known to reduce nutrient loading through prevention, reduction, and mitigation of nutrient loading to waterbodies.
- Training, outreach and/or education to support the implementation of nutrient reduction actions.
2. Advancing Science and Knowledge: Projects will increase the knowledge and scientific understanding in either of the following two areas of focus:
- Impacts of Excess Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms/Benthic Mats: Projects will increase knowledge to better understand the state of, threats, and pathways of excess nutrients, cyanobacteria, algal blooms/benthic mats, and their impacts on water quality and ecosystem health. Projects will involve the collection, analysis, and sharing of information to support informed decisions and actions to address these water quality issues.
OR
- Harmful Pollutants: Projects will increase knowledge to better understand the state of, threats, and pathways of harmful pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern and their impacts on water quality. Projects will involve the collection, analysis, and sharing of information to support informed decisions and actions to address these water quality issues.
Types of projects to be funded include:
- Assessment of stressors, risks, and baseline environmental conditions related to nutrients and harmful algal blooms/mats.
- Measurement, monitoring, modeling, or analysis of nutrients and harmful pollutants on:
- the impacts on ecosystem health.
- ecosystem changes or trends.
- multiple stressors and related cumulative effects.
- Community-based monitoring to supplement existing water quality monitoring data.
- Development of scientific tools, systems, and innovative technologies.
- Identification of data and research gaps, and/or sharing of knowledge and information.
- Advancing the understanding of the impacts of climate change on nutrient pathways and loading, and other harmful pollutants.
3. Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement: Projects will support Indigenous-led efforts to increase knowledge of water quality issues and/or build the capacity of Indigenous organizations and communities to address water quality issues.
Types of projects to be funded include:
- Gathering of Indigenous Knowledge and applying Indigenous Knowledge systems to inform actions and decision-making related to water quality.
- Building capacity, outreach, training, and engagement for Indigenous organizations and communities to research and take action to address water quality issues.
- Data collection, monitoring, and trend analysis related to water quality and impacts of water quality on ecosystem health.
- Opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to build relationships and work collaboratively on identifying common priorities and partnerships to address water quality issues.
- Projects that bring together diverse knowledge systems and perspectives to support actions and decision-making related to water quality issues.
Projects not eligible for funding
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding under the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative:
- Monitoring and data collection as stand-alone projects. These projects must be part of an overall trend analysis, or integrated planning process.
- Projects that have a single issue ‘action’ focus such as stream clean-ups, attending conferences, training, workshops, and meetings.
- Ocean-based and fish-based ecosystem projects are not eligible.
- Infrastructure projects are not eligible.
Eligible applicants
Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply and include:
- Domestic not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations and groups.
- Domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, boards, communities, and associations.
- Domestic coalitions and networks of organizations.
- Domestic research, academic and educational institutions.
- Domestic municipal and local governments.
Although business/industry, federal, and provincial governments are not eligible funding recipients, they are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.
Eligible project costs
The following project costs are eligible:
- Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
- Management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, and legal fees
- Hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses that are attributed directly to carrying out the project (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures)
- Costs associated with Indigenous participation and/or ceremony
- Monetary Honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities which may include but not be limited to translation and interpretative costs, leading a traditional opening/closing ceremony and/or prayer, the sharing of traditional knowledge and protocols, (including spiritual advice to individuals), and demonstrating traditional art and other practices
- Materials and supplies
- Printing, production, and distribution costs
- Equipment and capital assets purchase or rental
- Vehicle rental and operation costs
- Contractors required to perform activities related to the project
- Costs associated with land securement (e.g. leases, easements, covenants or servitudes)
- A reasonable share (20% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery
Funding details
Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Projects can be single or multi-year in nature but must be completed within three fiscal years (for example, projects starting in 2025/26 must be completed by March 31, 2028).
Projects that are not funded can be re-submitted through a future call for applications.
Matching requirements
At least 30% of the total project funding must be obtained from sources other than the Government of Canada. Employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are exempt from this requirement. Other sources of funding may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both.
In-kind support may include donations of:
- Equipment, materials and/or office space
- Volunteer time for project activities, coordination or professional services
- Expertise from consultants, elders or academics
- Any other donated goods or services that contribute to covering the costs of the project
The maximum level (stacking limit) of total Canadian Government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible expenditures) for projects will not exceed 100% of the total eligible expenditures of a project. Applicants should declare prospective sources of funding for the project including federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and other sources of funding in their application.
Geographic location
Projects must take place within the Canadian portion of the Wolastoq / Saint John River Watershed (Quebec or New Brunswick).
Performance Indicators
Applicants are required to report on one or more of the key performance indicators from the list below. It is recommended that groups report on all indicators that apply to the project, and explain how the target numbers were calculated.
- Total number of sites where samples were collected (# of sites)
- Area of land restored/conserved (# of hectares)
- Number of beneficial management practices/plans developed / implemented leading to environmental improvements (# of practices/plans)
- Number of mitigation measures implemented and/or improved to reduce nutrients or harmful pollutant inputs (# of mitigation measures)
- Amount of phosphorus reduced/diverted (kg/year)
- Number of contributing partners or organizations (# of partners/organizations)
- Number of knowledge transfer and sharing events (# of presentations, meetings)
- Number of people engaged in outreach/communications/training (# of people engaged)
- Number of reports/papers compiled and published (not including required Canada Water Agency reporting) (# of reports/papers)
Evaluation Criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed against, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Demonstrates strong linkages to the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative program priorities. The application must clearly demonstrate how the project will contribute to desired outcomes for one of the three program priorities and demonstrate the need for the project and its importance for the health of the Wolastoq/Saint John River.
- Builds partnerships through collaboration with other organizations. Collaboration among non-governmental organizations as well as research and academic institutions will build regional capacity to address water quality issues. Partnerships with federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments/organizations as well as business/industry may contribute expertise and resources which could enhance the outcomes of a project.
- Is scientifically and/or technically sound. (For projects that include scientific, research, and/or nutrient reduction components.) The application must provide detailed information on methodology and techniques used in order to evaluate the scientific/technical merit of the project. It must demonstrate the project will be based on sound scientific principles and that techniques used are scientifically valid, accepted, appropriate and applicable.
- Indigenous-led efforts and/or Indigenous Knowledge. Projects including these elements should describe how Indigenous organizations or communities are actively engaged in the design and delivery of the project. It must describe what benefits or increase to Indigenous capacity relating to water will occur.
- Builds on/integrates existing research and knowledge. Project activities are expected to build on existing research and knowledge wherever possible. The Canada Water Agency recognizes the value of both traditional and scientific knowledge and encourages the use of both in any project. A strong application should build on a vast knowledge base from public and private sources in order to undertake activities that achieve greater environmental results.
- Communication of results and knowledge. Organizations are encouraged to seek opportunities for knowledge transfer to other organizations that would extend the reach of project outcomes. A competitive application will demonstrate a commitment to disseminate results and findings to ensure that benefits are shared with a wide array of stakeholders and achieve broad impacts throughout the watershed.
Application process
Applicants must submit their project proposal using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) online application system. The Applicant Guide is available in GCEMS. Applicants are encouraged to register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin their application.
Note: The online application system (GCEMS) is shared between CWA and ECCC. References to ECCC in the system apply to both organizations.
It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve any errors. If an application is not submitted by the deadline, it will not be considered.
GCEMS Applicant User Guide: The GCEMS Applicant User Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for funding, including information on how to create, edit and submit project proposals. Visit:
For technical assistance when using GCEMS, contact the GCEMS team directly at:
Selection process
The Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative project funding decisions will be based on a merit-based competitive process. Completed applications will undergo a three-stage review process:
- Administrative review by program staff to confirm eligibility (projects considered not eligible will be notified at the end of this stage).
- Technical review by subject-matter experts to evaluate scientific and technical feasibility, including methodology.
- An Application Review Committee will ensure that program priorities and criteria are considered in the project evaluation and approval process.
Notification and reporting requirements
Upon departmental decisions, all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project application submission is approved, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Federal Members of Parliament and/or their team may be advised about the approval of a project and may be provided with information in the project application, including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts, and contact information.
Funding is conditional on the successful negotiation of a Contribution Agreement between the applicant and the CWA.
Each Contribution Agreement must include written confirmation of all funding sources, a summary of project design, delivery, progress evaluations, and anticipated results, as well as a budget forecast. All of these components must be accurately completed before the agreement can be signed.
All approved recipients are required to submit reports to CWA throughout the duration of the project as outlined in the Contribution Agreement. Payments are based on reporting and cannot be made until a report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by a CWA project officer.
Once a project has finished, a final report is required. The final payment will not be provided (minimum 10% holdback) until a final report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by CWA.
Contact us
If you have questions about the Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, please email us at: wolastoqsaintjean-wolastoqsaintjohn@cwa-aec.gc.ca
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