Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP) was established in 2000. It provides funding for projects submitted by Canadians that contribute directly to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk listed on schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act and that prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) administers HSP funds that support terrestrial stewardship projects while Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for administering the HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk.

The objectives of this program are to:

• – support habitat projects that benefit species at risk,

• – enable Canadians to become actively involved in stewardship projects for species at risk, which will result in tangible and measurable conservation benefits, and

• – improve the scientific, sociological and economic understanding of the role of stewardship as a conservation tool.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive feedback and confirm eligibility and alignment with program priorities and expected results. Use this online form to submit your EOI no later than 3:00pm (Atlantic Standard Time) on October 15th, 2025. Early submissions are encouraged. Should you have any trouble with the online form, please don’t hesitate to contact Molly Tomlik, Conservation Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service.

The application period for projects commencing in 2026-2027 is now open and will close on November 13, 2025, at 3:00 pm (Atlantic Standard Time).

EOI: The Intent to Apply (EOI/LOI/NOI) does not require review from HSS or RIS. However, please e-mail a pdf of the submitted EOI/LOI/NOI to an HSS Grants Facilitator: Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050).

Full application: In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this Intent to Apply (EOI/LOI/NOI) must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Grants and Contracts Services (RGCS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.