Updated March 2026 · Verified against Government of Yukon — Energy, Mines and Resources guidelines
▲ Growing ✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 1986
Grant Territorial Active

Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP)

Government of Yukon — Energy, Mines and Resources
Maximum Funding
Up to $15,000
Annual intake
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
100%
Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) provides Up to $15,000 (prospecting, 100%); up to $25,000 (exploration, 75%); up to $40,000 (advanced, 50%). 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). Annual intake. (As of March 2026, verified against Government of Yukon — Energy, Mines and Resources program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

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
Provinces
Yukon
Industries
Natural Resources
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
10h
First-Timer
Friendly

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

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~10 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win YMEP — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Tiered 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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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Review current module guidebook Download and read the current-year hardrock or placer module guidebook from yukon.ca. The 2026 placer guidebook was updated February 2026.
2 Confirm property and eligibility Verify property is in Yukon, in good standing, not on restricted land, and work qualifies under one of the four modules.
3 Complete application form Obtain and complete the YMEP application form from yukon.ca/en/yukon-mineral-exploration-program-ymep-application-funding.
4 Prepare exploration proposal and map Write a technically credible exploration project proposal referencing specific geological context (formation, structure, analogue deposits). Include a detailed property map.
5 Prepare itemized budget Itemize all eligible exploration costs with specific cost categories. Exclude ineligible items.
6 Attach registration documentation Include current prospector registration or company registration documentation.
7 Submit by annual deadline Email complete application package to [email protected] before the annual deadline (typically early April — verify current year deadline at yukon.ca).
8 Receive decision and sign agreement Decisions communicated by approximately May 15. If approved, sign the funding agreement before starting fieldwork.
9 Complete fieldwork and file status report Conduct approved exploration program. Submit status report to [email protected] by September 30.
10 Submit final package by January 31 Submit final submission form, original receipts, and technical report to [email protected] by January 31. Reimbursement processed after review.

Required Documents 4

✓ YMEP application form
✓ Exploration project proposal with map
✓ Budget breakdown
✓ Prospector's/company registration

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

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Compatible Programs

CanNor Programs NWT Mining Incentive Program (MIP) Yukon Economic Development Fund (EDF) Federal Critical Minerals R&D Programs Saskatchewan TMEI
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How YMEP Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
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 Annual April 30 deadline...
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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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about YMEP

Free
Can sole proprietors apply as individuals?
Yes, individual prospectors and sole proprietors qualify for all three streams. No incorporation required for grassroots or focused exploration. Advanced exploration requires company structure.
What's the typical award amount?
Grassroots: $5K–$15K (100% funded). Focused: $5K–$25K (75% funded). Advanced: $5K–$40K (50% funded). Most applicants receive $10K–$25K.
When are decisions made?
Annual intake with decisions typically announced by late spring. Check Yukon government website for current year's timeline. Late applications not accepted.
Do I need matching funds?
No matching required. Grassroots is 100% funded (up to $15K). Focused is 75% funded (up to $25K). Advanced is 50% funded (up to $40K).
Can I stack with NWT MIP?
Yes, if your exploration crosses into Northwest Territories, NWT Mining Incentive Program (MIP) can be combined with YMEP. Both programs fund exploration in northern regions.

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