Chemicals Management Plan Engagement and Outreach Contribution Program

The Chemicals Management Plan Engagement and Outreach Contribution Program (the Contribution Program) provides time-limited contribution funding to support enhanced public participation in the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) allowing for a broad range of knowledge, expertise and perspectives to be heard and considered. It also supports partnerships to increase public outreach, including raising awareness of the CMP, the impacts of chemicals on human health, and how to reduce the risks.

The CMP is an initiative aimed at reducing the risks posed by chemical substances to people in Canada and the environment.

On this page

• Funding priority
• Funding beneficiaries
• Funding amount and duration
• Who can apply
• Eligible activities
• How to apply
• Deadline

Funding priority

The funding priority for this solicitation process is to promote more meaningful engagement with disproportionately impacted populations by building their capacity and knowledge, as well as that of the organizations they work with, regarding chemicals, their health, and the CMP.

This funding opportunity is informed by amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), Canada's primary legislation on human health and pollution, which also underpins the CMP. CEPA now includes provisions designed to better protect populations disproportionately impacted by toxic substances. For the first time in federal law, it recognizes that every individual in Canada has the right to a healthy environment, as provided under CEPA. CEPA also now includes the Government's commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and further recognizes the role of Indigenous knowledge in decision-making related to the protection of the environment and human health.

As part of efforts to increase openness and transparency, the Government is required to establish and publish a plan for prioritizing the assessment and management of chemicals in Canada. This Plan of Priorities outlines initiatives that support chemical risk assessment and management, including the consideration of populations who may be disproportionately impacted by exposures or be more susceptible to health effects of chemicals. The Plan of Priorities also includes a List of Substances Prioritized for Assessment. The Contribution Program aligns with this direction by supporting opportunities for the engagement of populations who may be disproportionately impacted by harmful chemicals.

Funding beneficiaries

This CFP welcomes proposals that focus on the following priority populations for which their life stages make them more susceptible to the impacts of chemicals:

• Infants and children (0 to 14 years old)
• Youth (15 to 29 years old)
• Pregnant people

Within these populations, we acknowledge that there exist certain subpopulations for which there is a potential for greater exposure to harmful chemicals. We encourage the submission of proposals that include a focus on these subpopulations, including voices from marginalized and underrepresented groups such as racialized communities and those with diverse cultural and ethnic identities, including newcomers, in addition to those affected by socio-economic status, health vulnerabilities, and living near pollution sources.

Funding amount and duration

Total funding for all projects in this funding opportunity will be up to $586,000 over two years (2026/27 to 2027/28). Projects are anticipated to begin as early as November 2026 and must be completed no later than March 31, 2028.

Who can apply

• Not-for-profit organizations, including voluntary organizations, educational institutions, and community organizations
• Regional, municipal and Indigenous governments and agencies, including health authorities

Eligible activities

The following types of activities are eligible for funding:

• Leading engagement opportunities (for example, educational workshops, presentations, roundtables, symposiums, lived experience panels) to share information, gather input, and encourage meaningful participation. This could include, for example, providing spaces for populations to voice their perspectives, priorities, and concerns about chemicals and health, facilitating discussions on barriers to participation and opportunities for innovation in engagement models.
• Leading development of plain language materials (for example, infographics, videos, online resource hub with tools and resources) about the CMP and substances being assessed to enable participation in program activities.
• Developing or disseminating resources and strategies to support public education and awareness of health risks of chemicals with the goal of motivating behavioural change. This can include the use of partnerships.
• Using the new Plan of Priorities and/or the List of Substances Prioritized for Assessment, conduct analysis to identify the key substances or areas of potential impact for the priority populations (that is, those identified as funding beneficiaries).
• Providing financial resources to hire technical/scientific and traditional experts and to foster the capacity of individuals with lived/living experience to participate in activities and initiatives that inform program decisions and activities.
• Reporting on findings, opportunities, and future activities to advance the consideration of disproportionately impacted populations in the CMP so their concerns and perspectives could be incorporated into future policies and decisions.

How to apply

Please email cmp-participation-pgpc@hc-sc.gc.ca to receive instructions on how to apply and a copy of the applicant guide.

Deadline

This call for proposals will close on August 28, 2026.