Deadline: 23-Jul-2025
The Caribou Conservation Stewardship Program (CCSP) supports projects aimed at maintaining and recovering Boreal Caribou populations in Ontario. Its goal is to promote the maintenance, recovery, or adaptive management of self-sustaining local caribou populations by funding activities such as habitat restoration, protection, monitoring, science, and research.
Projects eligible for funding must contribute directly to the maintenance, recovery, or adaptive management of Boreal Caribou populations. Activities that qualify include habitat management and restoration, conducting species surveys or monitoring, direct threat mitigation, research, and incorporating Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
Eligible expenses cover a wide range of categories. Staff costs include wages and mandatory benefits for personnel directly involved in the project. Goods cover materials and supplies needed for the project. Services include third-party contractors, such as wetland excavation or design services for communication materials. Consultants providing expert advice are also eligible.
Transportation costs may include travel for meetings or events involving project staff, contractors, or attendees. Accommodation expenses may cover economical lodging for those attending such meetings or events. Food and beverages provided during project-related meetings or public events are eligible as well, including hospitality costs for public gatherings.
Equipment rental or purchase can be funded if the equipment is used multiple times during the project, if purchasing is cheaper than renting, and if the purchase wouldn’t likely happen without the project. Administrative expenses that are part of normal organizational operations but attributable to the project can also be covered. Indirect research costs and support services from departments like HR, finance, IT, and communications are eligible if related to the project.
Honoraria payments to Indigenous Elders or community knowledge holders for their participation in meetings or events are allowed. Audit costs may be funded up to $5,000 for projects requiring audited financial reports, especially for transfer payments valued at $750,000 or more.
Applicants must be legal entities such as academic institutions, corporations, Indigenous communities or organizations, individuals, municipal and local governments, or NGOs. Ineligible applicants include provincial ministries, federal government departments, unincorporated groups or clubs, and Conservation Authorities and their foundations.
For more information, visit Ontario Government.