Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Territorial grant supporting mineral exploration in Yukon through three tiered streams: grassroots prospecting (up to $15,000 at 100% funding), focused exploration (up to $25,000 at 75% funding), and advanced exploration (up to $40,000 at 50% funding). Open to individual geologists, prospectors, and companies. Annual intake with applications reviewed by an independent advisory committee.
Eligibility Requirements
- Individual geologists, prospectors, and companies searching for mineral deposits in Yukon
- Exploration must take place in Yukon
- Must meet stream-specific requirements (prospecting, focused, or advanced)
- Cannot explore on restricted land
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $15,000 (prospecting, 100%); up to $25,000 (exploration, 75%); up to $40,000 (advanced, 50%)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Territorial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual intake
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 TipTiered structure rewards different stages of exploration: grassroots prospecting is 100% funded (up to $15K), intermediate is 75% (up to $25K), and advanced is 50% (up to $40K). Individual prospectors and small companies both qualify. Complements the NWT Mining Incentive Program for northern mineral exploration.
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Success Profile
An independent geologist conducting grassroots prospecting in the White Gold district, receiving $15,000 to cover camp costs, sample collection, and assay fees.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications reviewed by an independent advisory committee (geologists). Assessed on: technical merit and geological rationale for the target, adequacy of proposed work program relative to exploration stage, applicant qualifications and capacity, and compliance with module eligibility criteria. Well-defined geological rationale with specific target context performs best.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 4
Eligible Expenses 10
- Geological mapping and sampling (field materials and assay fees)
- Geophysical surveys (airborne and ground)
- Geochemical sampling and laboratory analysis
- Trenching and stripping
- Diamond drilling and core analysis fees
- Environmental baseline studies required for work permits
- Field labour during approved programs (geologists, assistants, labourers)
- Equipment rental for field use
- Field camp accommodation and meals during approved programs
- Travel within Yukon for fieldwork personnel
Ineligible Expenses 11
- Claim recording fees and tenure maintenance costs
- Management fees and overhead
- Permit and licence application fees
- Project planning, compilation, and report-writing costs
- Legal fees
- Promotional and marketing expenses
- Underground work or preparation for mining
- Mining activities
- Acquisitions and land purchases
- Equipment repairs and maintenance
- Transportation outside Yukon
Intake Periods
Annual — typically January to early April; verify current year deadline at yukon.ca or email [email protected]
Deadline Notes
Annual intake — typically in late winter/early spring for the upcoming field season. Check the Yukon government website for the current year's deadline.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Applicants whose exploration is outside Yukon
- Applicants exploring on restricted or unauthorized land
- Projects that do not qualify under any of the four program modules
- Mining operations (YMEP is for exploration, not production)
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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 YMEP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) | Up to $15,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual intake |
| NWT Mining Incentive Program (MIP) | Up to $240,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | April 30, 2026 (annual;... |
| Yukon Economic Development Fund (EDF) | up to $30,000 | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Tier 1: Rolling; Tier 2:... |
| Investments in Forest Industry Transf... | Up to $10 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Periodic Calls for... |
| Mining Innovation Commercialization A... | Up to $500,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Periodic Calls for... |
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