How to Apply

Expressions of Interest

If you are interested in applying to IPSAR, we strongly recommend contacting your regional coordinator or email the National IPSAR office to obtain an Expression of Interest form to discuss your proposed project to verify its eligibility and alignment with program objectives. Although this does not guarantee that the project will receive funding, this process will typically help improve your application.

Online Application System

Project proposals are accepted through the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). Please contact us if you require an accessible format for the application form or would like to apply using an alternate format.

If you do not already have a user account, you will first need to create one. Visit the GCEMS for instructions on how to create an account and log in. An account can be created at any time including before the funding opportunity is opened. Making an account early will help save time when applying for funding.

Applicant guide

Please contact the regional coordinator or the National IPSAR Office to obtain a copy of the applicant guide to review step-by-step instructions on using the online Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) to apply for funding.

If you have difficulties with the GCEMS application system, the GCEMS technical support staff are quick to respond for assistance.

Application deadline

The annual IPSAR call for applications for projects starting in 2026-2027 is now closed. The next opportunity will open in the fall of 2026.

At the closing time, GCEMS will cease to accept application submissions. Please note that extensions to the application deadline are not granted. Should you experience significant issues with submitting your application, please contact us before the call closes.

We encourage you to submit your application early, especially if you need to create a new account. GCEMS can be 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 IPSAR at PAEP-IPSAR@ec.gc.ca if you have submitted an application but have not received this acknowledgment.

How Applications are Reviewed

To ensure a higher likelihood of success, we strongly encourage that you complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form to discuss your project's eligibility and alignment with program objectives early in the application process. To obtain an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, please contact your regional coordinator or the National IPSAR office.

Regional IPSAR coordinators review every application in their region, to confirm they are eligible to receive IPSAR funding (species, applicants, activities, expenses, matching funds, etc.). All project proposals are subject to the same evaluation criteria. Coordinators will evaluate and prioritize eligible applications using the following criteria:

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

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding through IPSAR, projects must meet the following criteria:

• Eligible lands - Projects must take place on eligible lands including reserves and lands set aside for the use and benefit of Indigenous peoples under the Indian Act or under section 91 (24) of the Constitution Act of 1867; other lands directly controlled by Indigenous peoples (e.g. Métis Settlement lands, and land claim/treaty settlement lands); lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities (harvesting or other) are carried out by Indigenous peoples
• Eligible species - Projects must support and promote the conservation, protection, and recovery of target species and their habitats. Target species include Species At Risk Act (SARA) Schedule 1 species as listed in the SARA Public Registry (except those listed as extirpated); and/or COSEWIC species assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered, threatened, or of special concern but have not been listed on Schedule 1 of SARA. IPSAR projects that target at least one species from the aforementioned categories may also include proposed actions that proactively prevent species, other than species at risk, from becoming a conservation concern
• Eligible activities - Project activities include one or more of the following: habitat protection and procurement; habitat improvement; species management; conservation planning; surveys, inventories, and monitoring; project or program results evaluation; Indigenous knowledge gathering or use; outreach and communication; education and training

IPSAR Calls for Applications are competitive processes; applications must include all details of the project and expected results. As the demand for funding from IPSAR regularly exceeds the funds available, we do not guarantee that a project will be funded. If your application is successful, the Program 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 final departmental decisions have been made. We will make every effort to provide you with the earliest possible notice; however, you should expect variation in the timing of notifications within IPSAR, and between ISPAR and other ECCC or Government of Canada funding programs. We will aim to have IPSAR funding decisions available by spring 2026.

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 by an IPSAR Regional Coordinator to negotiate a funding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the funding. Federal Members of Parliament and/or their teams may be advised about the approval in principle of a project and may be provided with project and contact information.

Contact Us

For general questions, enquiries, and news about IPSAR, including funding opportunities, please contact the National IPSAR Office. Please include your location (province or territory) in your email.

National IPSAR Office
Email: PAEP-IPSAR@ec.gc.ca