Deadline: 13-Nov-20
The Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has announced a Proposals for 2021-2022: Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for aquatic species at risk and supports recovery of these species through various programs, including the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP).
The HSP, established in 2000, provides funding for projects submitted by Canadians that contribute directly to the recovery of species at risk. To ensure the HSP is able to achieve its mandate to “contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other species at risk by engaging Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit wildlife”, DFO routinely reviews the program to best address emerging priorities related to aquatic species at risk across Canada.
HSP has two platforms for funding:
- Terrestrial Species at Risk Projects – Delivered by Environment and Climate Change Canada; and
- Aquatic Species at Risk Projects – Delivered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The objective of the HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk is to support and promote the conservation and recovery of Aquatic Species at Risk and their habitats by engaging Canadians in projects that will result in tangible and measurable conservation benefits.
National Priorities
The national priorities for the 2021-22 HSP are projects that focus on the implementation of:
- Priority activities described in federal recovery strategies, action plans, or management plans;
- Multiple-species and/or multi-partner projects; and
- Activities that address threats described in federal species at risk recovery documents or the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessment reports.
- The HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk has an approximate annual national budget of $4M. Funding is variable and dependant on project activities. In an effort to promote collaboration and multi-year projects, the suggested minimum funding request to HSP is $25,000 (this amount may be spread over one or up to three years of a project). The Program does not have a maximum funding limit. However, typical HSP contributions can range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible costs include reasonable and properly itemized costs, directly related to the eligible projects/activities, for:
- salaries and wages and employer mandatory benefits;
- professional and technical services;
- training;
- training materials;
- construction and related costs;
- purchase or rental of machinery and equipment;
- maintenance and repair;
- purchase or rental of vehicles;
- materials and supplies;
- printing, publishing;
- telecommunications, communications/network, data communication, image/video communications services;
- postage, parcel post, courier services, rental of facilities;
- travel, including accommodation, meals, and allowances, based on National Joint Council NJC Directive on Travel;
- insurance expenses related to activities under the Agreement;
- conferences, workshops and meetings;
- monitoring and reporting;
- hospitality and related expenses in compliance with the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures;
- any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by the Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces; and
- administrative overhead up to 10% of the overall program funding amount.
Expected Results
Proposed projects must demonstrate how they align with the objective of the HSP. Further, the proposal must describe through its own objectives, activities and anticipated outcomes, how it will achieve one or more of the following expected results:
- Aquatic species at risk important habitat is improved and/or managed to meet their recovery needs;
- Threats to aquatic species at risk and/or their habitat are stopped, removed, and/or mitigated;
- Collaboration and partnerships support the conservation and recovery of aquatic species at risk;
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible recipients include:
- domestic not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations;
- domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, Individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities, including:
- indigenous not-for-profit organizations;
- District councils, Chiefs councils and Tribal councils;
- indigenous research, academic and educational institutions;
- indigenous for-profit organizations;
- domestic research, academic and educational institutions;
- canadian individuals;
- domestic for-profit organizations, such as small businesses with less than 500 employees, companies, corporations, and industry associations;
- local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs;
- provincial, territorial, municipal and local governments and their agencies (e.g. Crown corporations);
- Federal departments, agencies and federal Crown corporations are not eligible to receive HSP funds.
Any other expenses are considered ineligible unless specifically approved in writing by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
For more information, visit https://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/sara-lep/hsp-pih/proposal-proposition/index-eng.html