Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI): Education and Awareness Project Funding

Natural Resources Canada (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:

Area of Focus 1 - Charging, Charging Infrastructure and Operation

• Support for projects that aim to address demonstrated gaps in awareness and knowledge among Canadians about light-duty electric vehicle charging, charging infrastructure, and operation.

• Through this area of focus, projects that solely focus on charging electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) are not eligible for funding. Micromobility solutions are also not eligible.

Area of Focus 2 - Clean Fuels Awareness Projects

• Supports projects that address awareness and knowledge gaps among Canadians and industry on all clean fuel types and clean fuel technologies (e.g. hydrogen vehicles, heat systems using clean fuels, etc.) across all industries, commercial applications and the general public.

• Clean fuels consist of biofuels (such as renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuels, renewable natural gas, ethanol), clean hydrogen, and liquid synthetic fuels.

Organizations and legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including not-for-profit and for-profit organizations such as:

• provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal governments or their departments or agencies, where applicable
• Indigenous and community groups 

Applicants must disclose contributions from other federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments and industry sources, whether that funding is confirmed or still in negotiations.

If the recipient is an Indigenous business or community, a not-for-profit organization, a provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal government, or their department or agency, the total contribution from the Government of Canada will not exceed 100% of Total Project Costs. If the recipient is a for-profit organization, the total contributions from the Government of Canada may not exceed 75% of Total Project Costs. 

• electricity or gas utilities
• private sector companies
• industry associations
• research associations
• standards development organizations
• Indigenous and community groups
• Canadian academic institutions

For Indigenous organizations, local governments, and non-profits, the maximum contribution amount is up to 75% of Total Project Costs, to a maximum of $100,000 for 1-year projects and $300,000 for 2-year projects.

Note: Due to limited funds available through this call for proposals and the time remaining in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, no project will be awarded more than $100,000 for the first year of the project. For example, a 2-year project with a not-for-profit organization could receive $100,000 in year 1, and $200,000 in year 2.