Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

Sponsor’s Website

Visit the Government of Canada website for more information on the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

Internal Contacts

Industry and Partnership Services: ips@cunet.carleton.ca

Potential applicants are also encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.

Deadlines

Overview

The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects implemented by domestic partners of the Mackenzie River Basin that address at least one of the following three program priorities:

1. Advancing Science and Knowledge: Projects that address knowledge gaps by collecting, analyzing, sharing and/or using information to increase knowledge and/or understanding of stressors threatening freshwater quality and ecosystem health. Science-based projects are encouraged to bridge Indigenous Knowledge (also referred to as Traditional Knowledge) and science to address gaps and employ respectful knowledge co-development.
2. Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement: Projects that support Indigenous-led efforts to advance knowledge of freshwater quality issues and/or build capacity of Indigenous governments, communities and organizations, and address freshwater quality issues and concerns. This includes projects that enable participation of Indigenous youth and build a future knowledge bank to support intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
3. Enabling Resiliency and Adaptation: Projects that encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts to improve freshwater quality and/or enable increased resiliency and adaptation through freshwater stewardship.

Value

Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project.

For non-Indigenous-led projects, at least 35% of the total support for the project must come from sources other than the Canada Water Agency. For Indigenous-led projects, at least 10% of the total support for the project must come from sources other than the Canada Water Agency.

Other sources of support may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, as defined in the Applicant Guide.

Eligibility

Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply. This includes: 

• Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, communities and associations
• Not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations and non-governmental organizations
• Research, academic and educational institutions
• Regional, municipal and local governments
• Local organizations such as community associations and groups, senior and youth groups, and service clubs
• For-profit organizations such as small businesses with fewer than 100 employees

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible but are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.

Applicants from outside the Mackenzie River Basin are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to applicants who are geographically located within the region and to projects being implemented along or near the mainstem of the Mackenzie River, contributing waters and/or watersheds that directly discharge into it.

Submitting Your Application

1. Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch. Consult the user’s manual for guidance.
2. Submit an external application to the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative by logging into the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) and navigating to “funding opportunities.”

Questions about the submission process should be directed to: eipiee-piefei@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca