Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
The Ocean Protection Plan is a $3.5 billion federal policy framework spanning six departments, not a single applicant-facing program. Underlying funding streams (such as the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund) are largely restricted to Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and municipalities, with very limited direct access for commercial businesses.
Eligibility Requirements
- This is a federal policy framework, not a single applicant-facing program — apply to specific sub-programs
- Most underlying funding streams are restricted to Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, or municipalities
- Commercial businesses have very limited direct access — check individual program streams for eligibility
- Projects must relate to ocean protection, marine conservation, or aquatic ecosystem restoration
- Must be based in Canada with activities benefiting Canadian marine or coastal environments
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Varies
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThis is NOT a single program — it is a $3. 5B government-wide umbrella with 8+ distinct funding streams across 6 departments. No one 'applies to the Ocean Protection Plan.' You apply to specific sub-programs (AERF, OMCP, ABP, ILCEPP, etc.). Most streams are restricted to Indigenous organizations, NGOs, and academia — very few accept for-profit businesses. The Abandoned Boats Program is the most accessible for non-Indigenous entities. If you are a business in ocean technology or marine services, look at NRC IRAP or Innovation Canada programs instead.
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Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Applicant is a for-profit business — most OPP programs exclude commercial entities
- No Indigenous partnership or engagement component — strongly prioritized across all streams
- Project lacks clear environmental or marine safety benefit aligned with OPP pillars
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Success Profile
Indigenous organization or community with marine/coastal connection and established relationship with DFO or Transport Canada regional offices. Or: established environmental NGO with demonstrated coastal restoration expertise, Indigenous partnerships, and multi-year project implementation track record. Academic institutions conducting applied marine science research. Municipal government or port authority dealing with abandoned vessel issues (for ABP only).
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Evaluation Criteria
Alignment with OPP pillars (marine safety, responsible shipping, marine protected areas, ocean science, Indigenous partnerships); demonstrated Indigenous partnership or co-development; organizational capacity to manage multi-year agreements; measurable environmental outcomes; geographic relevance to coastal/marine environments.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Coastal and marine ecosystem restoration activities
- Marine safety response planning and implementation
- Indigenous marine stewardship capacity building
- Abandoned vessel removal and site remediation (ABP stream)
- Marine pollution prevention and response equipment
- Scientific monitoring, assessment, and data collection for ocean protection
- Community engagement and outreach for ocean protection initiatives
- Personnel costs for marine coordinator positions (ILCEPP-IMC stream)
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Commercial fishing operations and equipment
- For-profit business activities without clear public ocean protection benefit
- Costs incurred before contribution agreement signing
- Infrastructure unrelated to ocean or coastal environments
- Costs covered by other federal departments under the same OPP umbrella
Intake Periods
Varies by sub-program. AERF: rolling through March 2027. OMCP: periodic calls, next expected 2026-27. ABP: ongoing for vessel removal. ILCEPP-IMC: not currently accepting. No single intake schedule applies to the OPP umbrella.
Deadline Notes
This is an umbrella record for 8+ distinct programs. AERF accepts rolling applications through March 2027. OMCP next call expected 2026-27. ILCEPP not currently accepting. ABP is ongoing. Each sub-program has its own intake schedule. No single deadline applies to 'the Ocean Protection Plan' as a whole.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- For-profit businesses (most OPP streams)
- Organizations without a marine, coastal, or ocean protection mandate
- Organizations operating exclusively inland (no coastal or marine nexus)
- Individuals (contribution agreements require legal entity status)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Ocean Protection Plan (Gran... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Con... | Varies | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
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| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
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