Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund, administered through Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, supports research and analysis projects that advance Canada’s transition to net zero emissions. It funds studies on greenhouse gas trends, air quality, climate modelling, emissions measurement, and mitigation technologies.
Grants range from $500,000 to $2 million over up to five years and are available to Canadian non-profit and academic organisations conducting policy-relevant climate and emissions research.
About the Fund
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund supports scientific and policy-relevant research that improves understanding of emissions, climate systems, and pathways to net zero in Canada. It focuses on strengthening evidence-based climate action and improving national emissions tracking and reporting systems.
The programme is administered through the Environmental Damages Fund and supports projects that contribute to climate science, air quality research, and emissions reduction strategies.
Key Focus Areas
The funding supports research and analysis in the following areas:
- Future greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant impacts on climate and air quality
- Interaction between greenhouse gases and air pollution trends
- Climate impact modelling of disturbances such as:
- Forest fires
- Permafrost thaw
- Land-use change
- Atmospheric chemistry changes in urban, rural, and background environments
- Evaluation of net zero technologies and mitigation strategies
- Carbon dioxide removal approaches and feasibility
- Risks associated with emissions overshoot scenarios
- Improvement of emissions measurement, reporting, and verification systems
Sectoral Emissions Priorities
The programme prioritises improved emissions understanding in key sectors such as:
- Oil and gas
- Waste management
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Land use and land management
- Refrigerants
- Biofuels and emission factors
Programme Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Strengthen Canada’s scientific understanding of emissions and climate systems
- Improve modelling of climate and air quality interactions
- Support net zero transition planning and policy development
- Enhance national emissions inventory systems
- Evaluate mitigation technologies and climate solutions
- Fill critical data gaps in emissions accounting
Funding Information
- Grant range: $500,000 to $2,000,000
- Project duration: up to 5 years
- Funding stream: Stream 3 (research and analysis projects)
- Focus: Net zero transition research and emissions systems improvement
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organisations include Canadian not-for-profit entities such as:
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Registered charities
- Universities and colleges
- Indigenous research organisations
- Indigenous institutes
- Environmental organisations
- Think tanks
- CÉGEPs
Applicants must be based in Canada and capable of delivering research and analysis relevant to national climate policy.
Expected Outcomes
Projects funded under this programme are expected to:
- Improve understanding of greenhouse gas and pollutant dynamics
- Strengthen climate and air quality modelling systems
- Enhance emissions measurement and reporting accuracy
- Support development of net zero technologies and policies
- Provide evidence for climate mitigation strategies
- Improve Canada’s national emissions inventories
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Strengthens Canada’s pathway to net zero emissions
- Improves scientific evidence for climate policy decisions
- Enhances accuracy of emissions tracking and reporting
- Supports innovation in carbon reduction and removal
- Addresses critical gaps in climate and air quality data
- Links research directly to national climate action planning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Weak connection to net zero policy relevance
- Limited emissions or climate modelling components
- Poorly defined data or measurement frameworks
- Lack of sectoral focus or application
- Insufficient methodological detail
- Overly theoretical projects without applied outcomes
FAQ
What is the Climate Action and Awareness Fund?
It is a Canadian funding programme supporting research on greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and net zero pathways.
How much funding is available?
Between $500,000 and $2 million per project.
How long can projects run?
Up to five years.
Who can apply?
Canadian non-profits, universities, Indigenous organisations, think tanks, and research institutions.
What topics are funded?
Emissions modelling, climate impacts, mitigation technologies, carbon removal, and emissions measurement systems.
What is the main goal?
To support Canada’s transition to net zero through improved scientific understanding and emissions data systems.
Conclusion
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund supports high-impact research that strengthens Canada’s ability to understand, measure, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By funding studies on climate modelling, emissions tracking, and mitigation strategies, the programme helps build a strong evidence base for achieving net zero and improving national climate and air quality policy.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
