Participant Funding Program

Participant Funding Program is sponsored by Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Provides funding to individuals, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities to participate in federal impact assessments, covering costs like travel and administrative expenses.

Participant Funding Program - Canada. ca Participant Funding Program This webpage and its contents do not supersede or modify the Impact Assessment Act or its regulations. In the event of an inconsistency between the contents of this webpage and the act and/or the regulations, the act and the regulations prevail.

The contents of this webpage are general guidelines only and are subject to change. Transcript: Participant Funding Program for impact assessments Did you know? You may be eligible to receive funding to help you participate in an Impact Assessment Process.

At the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, we know that public and Indigenous participation in assessments leads to better decision-making and outcomes. Some individuals and groups, however, might face challenges participating, like their ability to gather data, review scientific documents or travel to panel hearings. The Agency supports these related activities through its Participant Funding Program.

For example, funds can be used to pay for travel, administrative costs, or fees for legal experts. Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit groups, and individuals are eligible if they can demonstrate their contributions will add value to an assessment with relevant knowledge or expertise.

For individuals, it's also good to have a direct local interest in the project or assessment, such as living or owning property in the area. Funding is available at various points along the assessment process: "Planning Phase" funding provides up to $8000 to help participants give insight and review various planning documents in the early stages of an assessment.

Later into an assessment, "Impact Assessment" funding provides up to $15 000 to help participants provide information and review documents like the Impact Statement, the draft Impact Assessment Report and potential conditions that a project developer may have to follow. When a project is referred to a Review Panel, participants can apply up to $36 000 to help provide information and expertise during a hearing.

Applications are assessed on merit and alignment with public participation activities; and all money received is publicly disclosed. For more information on funding programs and to download an application form, visit: canada. ca/iaac The Participant Funding Program ( PFP ) aims to support public engagement and Indigenous consultation during an assessment (project-specific, regional or strategic).

It does so by providing funding at key stages of the assessment process, including the implementation of follow-up programs. Participant funding contributes to an open and balanced assessment process. This strengthens the quality and credibility of federal assessments.

Individuals, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities and organizations that want to take part in an assessment may apply. The Agency proactively contacts Indigenous communities that may be affected by a project to notify them of opportunities to participate in consultation activities, and to receive financial support for that participation.

Applicants must demonstrate how their participation will add value and provide relevant knowledge or expertise to the assessment.

They must also meet at least one of the following criteria: Have a direct local interest in the assessment, such as living or owning property in the assessment area; Possess community knowledge or Indigenous Knowledge relevant to the assessment; Possess expert information relevant to the anticipated impacts of the project; or Possess an interest in a project’s potential impacts on Treaty lands, settlement lands or traditional territories, or related claims and rights.

Access the application form for the assessment you are interested in.

Upper Beaver Gold Project Application deadline: August 3, 2026 ( Application Form ) Brandon Dispatchable Capacity Project Application deadline: July 29, 2026 ( Application Form for the Planning Phase ) Regional Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling in the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Area Application deadline: August 7, 2026 ( Application Form ) Submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the Agency by email at fp-paf@iaac-aeic.

gc. ca before the application deadline. Note: The Agency assumes no responsibility for misdirected or delayed application submissions.

More information on each assessment are available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry . The Agency will contact applicants about funding decisions. This usually happens between one to two months after the application deadline.

Successful applicants must sign a contribution or grant agreement. Detailed financial report Successful applicants with existing contribution agreements must complete a detailed financial report to be reimbursed. This includes providing supporting invoices and/or receipts for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred over the course of the participation activity.

Instructions on how to submit a detailed financial report will be provided directly to successful applicants. Funding Programs, consult the National Program Guidelines . Funding recipients, consult the Government of Canada’s Proactive Disclosure website .

Impact assessments, consult the Impact assessment 101 . Environmental assessments, consult the Basics of environmental assessment . Regional and strategic assessments, consult the Policy and guidance on regional and strategic assessments .

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Email: fp-paf@iaac-aeic. gc. ca