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Round 2: This Call for Proposals is open until October 30, 2026, or until funds are fully allocated.
Funding opportunities – Round 2
Offshore Wind Indigenous and Coastal Communities Grant Funding – Call for Proposals
Natural Resources Canada’s Offshore Wind Predevelopment Program (the ‘OWP Program’) aims to help create the enabling conditions for Canada’s future offshore wind energy sector off the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador by conducting science-based activities and supporting engagement with Indigenous and coastal communities.
The OWP Program is a significant investment in the responsible and efficient development of offshore wind energy in Atlantic Canada.
A key component of the OWP Program is grant funding to support Indigenous and coastal communities’ engagement on offshore wind development.
The OWP Program can provide grant funding up to $10,000 per fiscal year per applicant, until March 31st, 2028, to support engagement activities related to offshore wind development.
Natural Resources Canada is now accepting Round 2 of Call for Proposals for funding, until October 30, 2026.
Results achieved to date
Round 1: Under the OWP Program, 17 projects have been approved for grant funding totalling $350,000.
A further $320,000 in grant funding remains to be allocated for this current Call for Proposals – Round 2.
Objective
This Round 2 Call for Proposals is seeking to support Indigenous and coastal community activities as they relate to offshore wind energy.
The objective of the Offshore Wind Indigenous and Coastal Communities Grant Funding is to assist Indigenous and coastal communities’ in accessing technical and professional support to carry out engagement activities with the offshore wind energy industry, regulators, public sector, and others, as required. This support is intended to increase communities’ knowledge of offshore wind energy development and increase their readiness to participate in offshore wind related consultations and engagements.
Two examples of eligible activities are:
- Hiring a facilitator to support your engagement with third parties, such as governments, regulators, or offshore wind developers.
- Conducting internal consultations with community members on offshore wind development to better understand their perspectives.
Eligibility
This Round 2 Call for Proposals is open to the following applicants:
- Indigenous applicants based in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, or those based in other provinces who fish and/or harvest in the Canada – Nova Scotia and Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Areas, including Indigenous communities or governments, Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g. General Council), National or regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations and Indigenous (majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous peoples) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
- Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as regional and community development corporations, research associations and industry associations (e.g., fishing, marine, and boating associations), inclusive of fishers in Canada-Nova Scotia and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore areas under the Accord Acts.
How to apply – Round 2
Natural Resources Canada will evaluate proposals from eligible applicants in this Round 2.
First, please review the below Applicant Guide. Then, complete the online Proposal Form and submit your completed proposal.
- Offshore Wind Grant Applicant Guide – Round 2
- Offshore Wind Grant Proposal Form – Round 2 Apply now!
Round 1 recipients
Previous Round 1 recipients may also apply to Round 2 by submitting a new proposal for funding to support new activities. Alternatively, they may request an additional year of funding (up to March 31, 2028) to continue their existing project.
Requests for funding extensions must be submitted by October 30, 2026 by emailing the OWP Program (owpp-ppee@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca) with the Subject line “Round 1: Funding extension request”. The email should include a brief description of the proposed continued activities, a draft budget, and confirmation that the request is to extend existing Round 1 activities.
Deadline
Round 2: Please submit your proposal online by October 30, 2026, to receive funding this fiscal year (ending March 31st, 2027), if approved, or until funds are fully allocated.
Contact us
Please contact us for questions concerning the program at: owpp-ppee@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca