Clean Fuels Awareness Projects

To meet Canada’s ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 40 - 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050, Canada’s economy will need to be powered by two equally important energy sources – clean power and clean fuels.

However, there is a lack of awareness of, understanding of and confidence in clean fuels from production to distribution to end use among industry, commercial users, and the Canadian public. This creates a barrier to the adoption of these fuels in Canada.

A unique opportunity to educate Canada

NRCan is looking for innovative projects that aim to address awareness and knowledge gaps among Canadians on clean fuels and clean fuels technologies across all industries, commercial applications, and the general public.

We are seeking to support projects that increase knowledge and understanding about the opportunities, benefits, and considerations related to adopting clean fuels in industrial operations, across the economy and for consumers. Additionally, NRCan is looking for projects that support industry with capacity building and training opportunities to enable increased use of all clean fuels-fuels across the economy, including:

• biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol
• renewable diesel
• synthetic fuels and sustainable aviation fuels
• gaseous fuels such as clean hydrogen and renewable natural gas.

Building on what we heard

In April 2022, we posted a request for information on clean fuels awareness opportunities. Through this request, NRCan received 34 submissions that identified 19 projects in 5 regions of Canada. The information collected helped NRCan finalize this call for proposals.

Who can apply?

Explore the types of eligible projects

NRCan will provide funding for new and innovative clean fuels awareness and education activities in Canada that cover all clean fuel types.

Proposed projects could include, but are not limited to:

• developing curriculum and/or training material for a target audience such as children, youth, post-secondary students, industry, and/or the general public
• developing and implementing a novel targeted outreach and awareness campaign
• development of in-person professional training, industry-led skills training, or centres of expertise
• establishing a web-based resource (webpages, fact sheets, manuals) and/or information portal
• implementing a national or regional clean fuels mentorship or ambassador program
• developing best practices guides and educational tools to support targeted audiences or for all Canadians (national scale)
• a series of in-person (if and when permitted by local health authorities) and virtual meetings, presentations, technology demonstrations or other events (with remote attendance options)

Under this Call for Proposals, NRCan will not fund repeat or extended projects (same deliverables, audience, location) that were previously undertaken by the organization. Annual events held by organizations are not eligible for NRCan funding.

Successful applicants

Why is this important?

Download the Summary of the Clean Fuels Education and Awareness Scan (PDF, 759 kb)

Canada is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan lays out Canada’s next steps for clean air and a strong economy, including the government’s work to date and its commitments to reducing emissions through the production and use of clean fuels.

We recently commissioned a Clean Fuels Education and Awareness Scan. Our goal is to build consumer and industry confidence by addressing the lack of awareness about clean fuels across the full value chain in Canada. The summary identifies some of the opportunities and recommendations identified in the scan.

Additional information about the program

• Will there be other calls for proposals in the future?

  No dates are currently set for an additional Call for Proposals for clean fuels awareness projects.

  Please visit the home page regularly for updated information, and contact us to request that your contact information be placed on the email distribution list.

• 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 by Canada are incurred at the Proponents own risk. While such expenses may count towards total project costs, they are not eligible for NRCan reimbursement.

• How much support could my organization receive for clean fuels awareness projects?

  Financial support for projects is based on the total amount of funds available.

  For projects with for-profit organizations, the maximum amount payable by NRCan can be up to 50% of total project costs.

  For projects with not-for-profit organizations or provincial, territorial, regional or municipal governments or their departments or agencies where applicable, the maximum amount payable by NRCan can be up to 75% of total project costs.

  For projects where the Proponent is an Indigenous organization or registered Indigenous business or community, the maximum amount payable by NRCan can be up to 75% of total project costs, regardless of whether they are for-profit or not. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply through the Indigenous stream.

• Can support be stacked with other financial incentives?

  It is possible for other sources of funding, for example, a provincial contribution, to contribute to total project costs. Total funding from all levels of government (e.g. federal, provincial/territorial and/or municipal) cannot exceed 75% of the total project costs, unless the proponent is an Indigenous-owned business or community, not for profit organization, a provincial, territorial or municipal government or their department or agency, in which case the stacking limit is 100% of project costs.

What share of funding does my organization need to secure?

For-profit organizations must secure 50% of total project costs. Not-for-profit organizations, provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal governments or their departments or agencies, and Indigenous organizations, communities or businesses, must secure 25% of total project costs.

*Please note, a version of the application package previously distributed erroneously stated that not-for-profit organizations and other orders of government must secure 75% of total project costs. Please reach out to cfa-scp@nrcan-rnca.gc.ca to ensure you have the correct application package.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments, email us.