Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) Program Indigenous Engagement Grants

Program Category: Clean Energy, Built Environment, Climate Mitigation, Community Infrastructure

Program Sub-Category: Renewable Energy

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Status: Closed

Funder

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Deadline Details

The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) launched a request for proposals (RFP) on November 27 2023 for the Indigenous Engagement Grants. The deadline for the RFP was January 31, 2024.

Funder Organization Type

Federal Government

The SREPs Indigenous Engagement Grants stream supports Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous organizations seeking to access resources and expertise to inform decision-making on their involvement in and/or support of a proposed renewable energy, and/or energy storage projects.

Eligible Community

Indigenous applicants (including Indigenous communities or governments, tribal councils, national or regional Indigenous councils, tribal organizations, and Indigenous majority-owned and controlled for-profit and not-for-profit organizations).

“Indigenous” includes Inuit, Métis, First Nation, status Indian, and non-status Indian individuals, or any combination thereof.

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Yes

There is a 100% stacking limit with other funding sources.

Type of Funding

Grant

Range of Funding Available per Project

Under $100 000
From $100 000 to $1 000 000

Description of Funding

90% of total project costs
$50,000/fiscal year (up to 3 fiscal years)
100% stacking limit with other funding sources

Percentage of Project Funded

90%

Eligible Costs

Planning
Community Engagement
Project Management
Staff Costs
Administration Fees
Capacity Building for the Community
Awareness and Education

Eligible Indigenous engagement activities are limited to projects where the expected outcomes are known at the onset of the project and that contribute to SREPs objectives. They can include:

Activities which support Indigenous communities and/or organizations to assess options for involvement in grid-connected renewable energy and/or energy storage projects, including but not limited to;
- Hiring external legal or commercial support to review project development partnership agreements;
- Engaging support to connect a community interested in project development with a suitable partner;
Activities which enable Indigenous communities potentially affected by a proposed grid-connected renewable energy and/or energy storage project to investigate opportunities, impacts, and/or mitigations, including but not limited to;
- Hosting community meetings or workshops to share and discuss project opportunities.
Conducting an environmental or traditional land use study and/or survey related to a proposed grid-connected renewable energy and/or energy storage project.

Eligible expenditures include:

Salaries and benefits for employees on the payroll of the applicant organization, for the actual time spent by the employees on the project;
Professional and contracting services;
Other expenses, including:
- Printing services and translation;
- Data collection services, including processing, analysis, and management;
- Facility expenses for seminars, conference room rentals, etc. (excluding hospitality); and
- Honoraria and costs associated with Indigenous ceremonies, where the applicant is an Indigenous organization.
GST, PST, or HST costs, net of any tax rebate to which the applicant organization is entitled.

Where the program determines it is necessary for the project, travel and accommodation costs may be considered as eligible expenditures (based on National Joint Council Rates). Justification will be required from the applicant.

Ineligible Costs

Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreement
Building Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition

Ineligible Expenditures (for which the program will not reimburse any portion of the following costs, nor consider towards Total Project Costs) include proposal preparation costs, capital expenditures, costs for construction, lost income, and renovation of buildings.

Reporting Requirements

Final report only

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

3 months

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 2024.