Funding, News and Announcements

The Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF) is launching the first call for proposals from September 28 to November 28, 2022.

The AERF is a $75 million contribution program established under the renewal of the national Ocean Protection Plan to support aquatic restoration that will help to address human impacts on aquatic ecosystems including root causes of impacts to coastal and marine environments. For the next four years, the AERF will provide funding support to Indigenous groups, community-based organizations, conservation groups, and academic researchers/institutions to undertake projects along Canada’s coasts that:

• contribute to strategic planning and responding to restoration priorities
• support restoration and rehabilitation of aquatic habitats and their long term sustainability
• educate the public on the impacts of human behavior on aquatic habitats
• support co-benefits of aquatic restoration activities (e.g., nature based solutions to climate change)
• encourage and build local community capacity

AERF will accept one-year (2023-24) to four-year (2023-28) project applications. Preference will be given to projects ranging from $200,000 to $1,000,000 per year that include Indigenous partners, engage a broad number of partners, and address program priority activities and areas. Lower project requests, as low as $50,000 may be considered if they’re of strategic value.

The maximum level of total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) for the same eligible expenditures for this Program will not exceed 100% of the total eligible expenditures of the activity (i.e., 100% stacking limit).

Further information on the program can be found on the AERF website. The website provides more information concerning eligibility and requirements, as well as the Guidelines and Proposal Form. Further information on the program will be available through a webinar that will be held in the near future. If you are interested in participating please contact DFO.MAR.AERF-FREA.MAR.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Deadlines

Internal: November 7, 2022 at 4:30pm. Contact the grants facilitator for your faculty. For additional resources, click here for guidance on internal deadlines and submission processes.

Funder: November 28, 2022.