Education and Awareness Project Funding – EV Charging and Clean Fuels

The objective of this call for proposals will be to support projects that address gaps in awareness, knowledge and public and industry confidence in the charging of light-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and/or the use and opportunities provided by clean fuels.

Transitioning to net zero

The Government of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan outlines a target to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

With on-road transportation accounting for about 18 percent of Canada’s total GHG emissions, Canada must continue accelerating its transition to zero-emission vehicles. Key barriers to the adoption of ZEVs include public and industry concerns about the charging, charging infrastructure and the operation of electric vehicles. These concerns often stem from gaps in knowledge and first-hand experience with charging infrastructure.

In addition, clean fuels such as clean hydrogen, advanced biofuels, liquid synthetic fuels, and renewable natural gas will play a critical role in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, including certain industries and medium- and heavy-duty freight. Significant gaps in awareness and understanding of the use and opportunities provided by clean fuels is hindering acceptance and adoption in Canada.

Learn more about driving toward a greener future by checking out the zero-emission vehicles information hub.

Areas of focus

NRCan is seeking to support projects that increase awareness, knowledge and understanding about the opportunities, benefits and considerations of ZEV charging and clean fuels related to two areas of focus*:

^*Projects may overlap multiple areas of focus.

Examples of project activities

• developing education and/or awareness campaigns on electric vehicle charging and operation or clean fuels
• outreach and awareness events
• creating web-based resources
• increasing knowledge of charging & refuelling and/or clean fuels options and technologies

Geographic Reach: All projects must be national in reach or focused on an underserved region of Canada. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, underserved areas are defined as the Territories, Prairie Provinces, Atlantic Canada or rural areas.

Who can apply

To be considered for funding under the program, applicants must be:

• organizations and legal entities validly incorporated or registered* in Canada including not-for-profit and for-profit organizations such as:
  • electricity or gas utilities
  • private sector companies
  • industry associations
  • research associations
  • standards development organizations
  • Indigenous and community groups
  • Canadian academic institutions
  • provincial, territorial, regional or municipal governments or their departments or agencies, where applicable, or
• international legal entities validly incorporated or registered abroad* including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as:
  • private sector companies
  • industry associations
  • research associations
  • standards organizations; and,
  • academic institutions

^*Softwood lumber companies and those that are vertically integrated with these companies are not eligible for funding under this opportunity.

How to apply

This call for proposals is now open and accepting applications. To request an application package, please email awareness-projects.projets-de-sensibilisation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca with the subject line “Request for Application Package: Education and Awareness Projects Call for Proposals.”

The deadline to submit your proposal and supporting documentation is April 30, 2025, at 23:59 (Eastern Daylight Time) for projects to be completed by no later than March 31, 2027

Request an application package

1. Review the application guide and complete your proposal

   Required documentation for your proposal includes:

   • Application form (Word),
   • Budget overview (Excel)
   • Attestations
   • Supporting documentation, including financial declarations

   Please refer to the Applicant Guide for additional details.

2. Submit your application

   Applicants must submit a complete application either by email or by hard copy via courier or registered mail by April 30, 2025, at 23:59 (Eastern Daylight Time). Please refer to Section 1.11 of the Applicant Guide for more details.

   The submission of an application creates no obligation on the part of Natural Resources Canada to provide funding for the proposed project.

Successful applicants and past projects

Explore past successful projects

News and FAQs

• Can my project have more than one area of focus?

  Applicants must indicate one primary area of focus in their application. If a proposal spans the two eligible focus areas, applicants are permitted to select a secondary area of focus. Proposals must clearly demonstrate alignment with the area(s) of focus identified.

• Can projects commence prior to signing a contribution agreement with NRCan?

  Successful applicants can start their projects upon receipt of the Letter of Conditional Approval from NRCan. However, expenses incurred prior to the signing of a contribution agreement with NRCan s may be counted toward total project costs, they are not eligible for NRCan reimbursement.

• Service standards

  Our goal is to achieve our service standards a minimum of 80% of the time under normal circumstances:

  • responding to general inquiries made to our email address within 5 business days
  • reviewing the completeness of your application and replying within 3 business days
  • assessing your application and sending you an approval or a rejection notification letter within 100 days of the call for proposal deadline
  • sending a draft contribution agreement for review within 30 business days of issuing the Letter of Conditional Approval (if applicable)
  • reviewing payment claims within 15 business days
  • sending a payment within 30 business days of receipt of a duly completed and documented payment claim

Contact us

Any questions or inquiries must be sent by email to: awareness-projects.projets-de-sensibilisation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca