Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions)

Insider Tip

This 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.

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

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).

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.

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. [Apr 2026: URL updated — Transport Canada/DFO page restructured.]

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)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk