Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR): call for projects 2027-2031

Program Description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada funding for multi-year, multi-partner projects that protect and recover aquatic species at risk, such as habitat restoration, threat mitigation, stewardship, monitoring and recovery studies. This fourth round funds projects running April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2031, with $15.5 million available each fiscal year; projects are generally expected to total $500,000 to $5 million over 4 years. Not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, individuals, for-profit organizations such as small businesses, local groups and governments can apply. Proposals are due November 16, 2026 at 23:59 Pacific time.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible recipients as DFO lists them: not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations
• Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities, including communities/bands/settlements, district, chiefs' and tribal councils, Indigenous associations, organizations and societies, Indigenous fisheries commissions, councils, authorities and boards, Indigenous economic institutions, organizations, corporations and co-operatives, partnerships of Indigenous groups, bodies established by rights-holding communities, and service providers mandated to work with Indigenous organizations in fisheries, fish and fish habitat
• Research, academic and educational institutions
• Canadian individuals
• For-profit organizations, such as small businesses with less than 500 employees, companies, corporations, and industry associations
• Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors' and youth groups, and service clubs
• Provincial, territorial, municipal and local governments and their agencies (for example Crown corporations and Conservation Authorities)
• The project must meaningfully benefit multiple aquatic species at risk: at least one aquatic species listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern, and at least one other species that is SARA-listed or assessed as at risk by COSEWIC
• The project must directly address recovery measures in existing federal aquatic species at risk recovery documents
• The project must engage multiple partners providing financial or in-kind support (the applicant and DFO do not count toward 'multiple')
• The project must be implemented between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2031, and plan to share project information and results publicly or with other CNFASAR recipients