Funding for the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
New for 2027-2028
A Budget Planning Tool for the Mackenzie FEI is available upon request at Mackenzie@cwa-aec.gc.ca.
Notice
The application submission period for funding under the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is now open.
The deadline to submit an application is October 28, 2026 (1 PM MST / 3 PM EST).
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.
Objectives
The Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects to be implemented by domestic partners of the Mackenzie River Basin that address at least one of the following three program priorities. Priority may be given to projects being implemented along or near the mainstem of the Mackenzie River, contributing waters and/or watersheds that directly discharge into it.
- 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.
- Indigenous Knowledge, Capacity Building and Engagement: Projects will support Indigenous-led efforts to advance knowledge of freshwater quality issues, and/or build capacity of Indigenous governments, communities and organizations and to 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.
- Enabling Resiliency and Adaptation: Projects will encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts to improve freshwater quality and/or enable increased resiliency and adaptation through freshwater stewardship.
Eligible Applicants
| Applicant | Description |
|---|---|
| List of eligible applicants | Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply and include:
Federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible funding recipients. They 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 those applicants who are geographically located within the Mackenzie River Basin. |
Geographic Location
Mackenzie River Basin.
Eligible Projects
Please refer to the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative Applicant Guide for project examples.
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.
For technical assistance when using GCEMS: Contact the GCEMS team directly at sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca
Range of Funding
Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project.
The current call for applications is for projects that will begin during the 2027-2028 fiscal year. Projects can be single or multi-year in nature but must begin on or after April 1, 2027, and be completed by March 31, 2030.
Matching Requirements
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.
Applicants should declare all prospective sources of support (cash and in-kind) for the project including federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and other sources of funding in their application.
| Contributor Name | Contributor Type | Cash | In-kind | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative | Canada Water Agency | $65,000 | 0 | $65,000 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) | Federal Government | $5,000 | 0 | $5,000 |
| Water Project Foundation | Other | 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Clean Water Society | Other | $10,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Total Contributions | $80,000 | $20,000 | $100,000 | |
$80,000 Cash + $20,000 In-kind = $100,000 total project support |
||||
| Contributor Name | Contributor Type | Cash | In-kind | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative | Canada Water Agency | $90,000 | 0 | $90,000 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) | Federal Government | $5,000 | 0 | $5,000 |
| First Nations Band | Indigenous Organization | $2,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Clean Water Society | Other | $0 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total Contributions | $97,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 | |
$97,000 Cash + $3,000 In-kind = $100,000 total project support |
||||
Ineligible Projects
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding under the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (not exhaustive):
- 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
- Projects that are focused solely on:
- water quantity, drinking water, groundwater, or marine environments
- water temperature
- fish and/or fish habitat, including sediment transport
- barriers to navigation
- Projects designed only to beautify an area
- The purchase of land
- Projects required by law and/or mandated by a level of government
- Capital or operating costs of infrastructure projects (e.g. dikes, sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds)
If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your project, please contact us for clarification.
The following project costs are ineligible:
- Expenditures related to lobbyist fees
- For for-profit recipients: Equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental; and
- Costs associated with land securement
Contact us
Email: Mackenzie@cwa-aec.gc.ca