Grants & Opportunities Update - Nov. 2025
- info9972277
- Nov 7, 2025
- 16 min read
November 2025 update from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI)
Events and Engagement Opportunities:
Regional BC Investment Showcase Contract Opportunity
The Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth is implementing a series of province-wide economic development activities in alignment with the international football matches hosted in Vancouver in June and July 2026. These activities are designed to leverage the global attention on British Columbia to promote trade and investment opportunities across the province. To support this objective, the Ministry has posted a Request for Proposals, closing November 26, 2025, requiring services to deliver two core components that will enhance investment readiness and visibility in rural and regional British Columbia, including:
Community Investment Opportunity Packaging and Marketing: preparation of professional, investor-focused promotional materials that highlight viable and well-developed investment opportunities across rural and regional British Columbia.
Pitch, Practice, and Prep Investment Readiness Workshop Series: delivery of virtual training sessions to support rural communities in becoming more investment-ready and to confidently present their investment opportunities.
The RFP details can be found here.
Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise – FREE Webinar November 13
On Thursday November 13th at 11:30AM PT, Mark Taylor will present “How the Top 1% Marketers Create Profitable Content.” He’ll discuss how to grow your business without paying for ads, or posting ten times a day on social media. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to create and execute a content marketing strategy that brings in increasingly more leads every month from Google, YouTube, and Chat GPT.
New Provincial Disaster and Climate Risk Tools Available
Two new resources, the British Columbia Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment (DCRRA), and the B.C. Hazard Insights Tool (HIT), provide provincewide information and data to help experts better understand how different hazard scenarios could affect people and communities. These resources give local governments, First Nations, emergency-management specialists and provincial ministries access to risk information that can help them make better decisions in disaster preparedness and mitigation.
More information can be found here.
Heritage Conservation Act Engagement
The public engagement on modernizing B.C.’s Heritage Conservation Act has been extended to November 14, 2025. Since 2022, more than 500 organizations have contributed their perspectives on how to update the 30-year-old legislation. The proposed updates are designed to:
Support quicker community recovery after disasters
Make permitting faster and easier
Strengthen protections for heritage sites
Recognize and reinforce the role of First Nations in decisions about their heritage and ancestors
More information can be found here.
Fernie Community Workshop - Hosted in Partnership with UBC, BRIMM Mining Education, Kakin Group of Companies and Elk River Alliance
When: Monday, November 10th 6-8PM
Where: Arts Station Theatre (601 1st Ave, Fernie BC)
Learn about atmospheric chemistry and air
quality and how it relates to coal mining
Enjoy Snacks, Drinks, and Discussion!
Ask Questions!
No Pre-Registration Required
Program Updates:
Agriculture:
Description: The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) helps new agricultural producers grow their businesses by providing financial support for business planning, development, and growth strategies. It also helps with the cost of commercial farm infrastructure and equipment to accelerate revenue growth. It has two phases:
Phase 1: Provides funding to help you create or update a farm business plan and prepare a growth strategy
Phase 2: Offers cost-share funding for infrastructure. This phase is only available to successful applicants from Phase 1 who are invited to apply
Eligible applicants: A New Entrant is defined as an agricultural producer who has reported farm income to the Canada Revenue Agency for five (5) years or less or has not yet reported any farm income.
Deadline: Intake application must be submitted this month (November 2025), if approved, you will be moved to the next step.
Funding amount:
Phase 1 – up to $3000
Phase 2 – 75% of project costs up to $15,000
Contact: AgriService@gov.bc.ca
Enhanced Replant Program – B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food/ Investment Agriculture Foundations
Description: The Enhanced Replant Program provides support to help wine grape, berry, and tree fruit producers replace existing acreage with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit. Producers can access support for replant or removal activities through four funding streams. Separate application forms are required for each stream and only one ERP application (regardless of stream) can be submitted per farm each fiscal year.
Eligible applicants: See eligibility details on Investment Agriculture Foundations webpage.
Submissions open:
Stream 1 – Tree Fruit Replant: November 12, 2025
Stream 2 – Wine Grape Replant: December 2, 2025
Stream 3 – Berry Replant – November 3, 2025
Stream 4 – Berry Removal/Renewal: November 25, 2025
Funding amount: The total funding available for each farm operation over the duration of the program is capped at a maximum of $500,000.
Contact: erp@iafbc.ca
Description: The APP is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-cost cash advances. Under the program, you can access up to $1,000,000 in total advances based on the value of the eligible agricultural products you will produce or that you have in storage. Normally, the Government of Canada pays the interest on the first $100,000 of your advance.
Eligible applicants: Canadian citizen or permanent resident; or a corporation, cooperative or partnership of which the majority interest is held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. You must also:
be the age of majority in the province of operation;
have produced/be producing and own the agricultural product; and
be responsible for its marketing.
Deadline: Not specified.
Funding amount: up to $1M
Contact: aafc.fgp-pgf.aac@agr.gc.ca
Description: provides funding support for primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food and beverage processors to support informed decision making and ensure business development. Funding is available under two streams:
Stream 1: Agri-business skills and leadership development
Stream 2: Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery
Eligible applicants: Primary agriculture producers OR agriculture, food and beverage processor, see eligibility details here.
Deadline: The next intake for the Agri-Business Planning Program opens November 17, 2025.
Funding amount:
Stream 1: up to 70% to a maximum of $2000
Stream 2: up to $7500 for individual businesses, up to $22,000 for groups
Contact: Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca
Economic Development:
Description: The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. The SRF supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forestry, AI and advanced technologies. The SRF supports projects across three main priorities that reflect Canada's industrial and economic goals:
Tariff response
Innovation
AI Compute Challenge
Eligible applicants: See eligibility details here.
Deadline: Not specified.
Funding amount: The minimum SRF contribution amount is $10 million for projects with total costs of at least $20 million. The amount you request from SRF should be based on your project needs.
Contact: Request a consultation here.
Description: If your business is affected by the current trading landscape, BDC can help. Our Pivot to Grow loan can boost your cash flow and cover expenses, like purchasing equipment, as you adapt to a new economic reality.
Eligible applicants: Minimum Requirements:
Minimum 15% of sales are derived from exports to the U.S. or demonstrate a significant likelihood of being adversely affected by U.S. tariffs, related uncertainties or the current economic downturn.
Annual sales - $2M or more
Must demonstrate profitability
Deadline: Not specified.
Funding amount: **Total loan commitment with BDC must be greater than $350,000.
Contact: Contact us
Description: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Canadian Energy Innovation Call for Proposals (the “Call”) will fund applied research, development and demonstration (RD&D) of AI solutions that accelerate the pace of, and lower the costs associated with, energy technology innovation.
Eligible applicants: Eligible Canadian Recipients will be:
Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including:
For-profit and not-for-profit organizations
Community groups
Canadian academic institutions
Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.
Indigenous:
Indigenous communities or governments
Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g. general councils)
National or regional Indigenous councils, or tribal organizations
Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit or not-for-profit organizations
Deadline: December 4, 2025
Funding amount: The Call is open to projects requesting a call contribution percentage up to 75% of total project costs. The minimum contribution from EIP is $500,000, and the maximum contribution is $1,500,000. Funding is available between April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2030.
Contact: eipai-pieia@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Description: The Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility is a new financing facility announced by the Government of Canada on March 21, 2025. Managed by the Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV) through its subsidiary, Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC), it provides financing support for large Canadian enterprises affected by actual and potential new tariffs and countermeasures, and which face challenges accessing traditional sources of market financing.
Eligible applicants: The LETL facility was created to support large Canadian companies who:
Have an impact on Canada’s economy as a result of:
Significant operations in Canada; or
A significant workforce in Canada.
Have approximately $150 million, or more, in annual Canadian revenue; and
Require a minimum loan size of $30 million.
Deadline: The LETL facility will be open while the current economic situation persists. Availability of advances is subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent at closing and prior to each subsequent draw.
Funding amount: Canada is making available loans of $30 million and above, based on the applicant’s estimated cash needs over the next 36 months net of available liquidity. The loan size for each applicant will be assessed on a case-by-case basis based on demonstrated need, the reasonableness of management’s business plan assumptions and the ability to repay.
Contact: info@ceefc-cfuec.ca
Infrastructure:
Description: BCAAP is a project-based, cost-sharing grant program administered by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit that supports planning and infrastructure investments on eligible aviation facilities across British Columbia. The percentage of funding that BCAAP provides varies based on a range of factors, including:
Project type:
Safety of flight, airside and environmental projects begin at 75% funding
Projects in transitional areas (hangers, terminals) begin at 60% funding
Groundside projects begin at 50% funding
Eligible applicants: To be eligible for B.C. Air Access Program (BCAAP) consideration, the applicant must:
Operate a public use airport, heliport or water aerodrome
Serve fewer than one (1) million passengers annually
Be the air facility operator (local government, non-profit operating society or contracted operator)
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Funding amount: The program caps the value of grants to any one applicant (regardless of the number of projects) to $2 million in any given year. However, applicants may submit multiple proposals with separate application for each.
Contact: BCAAP@gov.bc.ca
Description: This program helps communities expand options for walking, cycling, wheeling and other non-motorized travel by planning and building multi-use pathways within and between Basin communities. These efforts reduce pollution and support healthier, more connected and more accessible communities by creating safe routes for people of all ages and abilities.
Eligible applicants: Eligible applicants include local governments and First Nations communities in the Columbia Basin Trust region.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until available funds have been committed.
Funding amount:
Up to 50% of total project costs can be requested from the Trust for project planning and design, to a maximum of $50,000.
For projects where planning has been completed and approvals are in place, the Trust may fund up to 50 per cent of total project costs for physical works, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Contact: kkendall@ourtrust.org
Description: The intent of the Active Transportation Planning program is to support local governments to incorporate or enhance active transportation components of formal planning documents (Official Community Plan, Sustainability Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, or Transportation Plan), including research, engagement, and policy development. Funding is provided by the Province of BC.
Eligible applicants: All local governments (municipalities, regional districts, and the Islands Trust) in BC that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
Have a population of up to 25,000 (based on 2021 Census data). Note: regional districts can apply for one or more electoral areas with a combined population of up to 25,000 in a single application.
Do not have an active transportation plan or have a plan over 5 years old.
Are currently or will be undertaking a community land use and/or transportation plan to which an active transportation lens will be included.
Have not received a network planning grant from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant program.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Funding amount: up to $30,000
Contact: lgps@ubcm.ca
Community Development:
Description: Reaching Home funding applications are now available to support First Nations-led efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness. This funding is available to serve both on-reserve and off-reserve First Nations members and is rooted in community-driven, culturally safe approaches. Three streams:
Capital Projects: This stream funds First Nations in British Columbia to build, renovate, or acquire land and facilities that help prevent and reduce homelessness among Indigenous peoples.
Housing Supports: Focused on non-capital initiatives, like rental assistance, housing placement, and wraparound supports to help Indigenous individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing.
Research and Planning: This stream funds research, planning, and coordination activities that inform and strengthen homelessness prevention strategies.
Eligible applicants:
First Nations governments or bands, including Tribal Councils that are supporting Indigenous Peoples living on- or off-reserve.
Projects must be directly tied to preventing and reducing homelessness among individuals or families who:
Are currently experiencing homelessness, or
Are at imminent risk of homelessness.
Deadline: Not specified
Funding amount: A total maximum amount of $250,000 for all applications
Contact: reaching.home@fnhic.ca
Description: Nation Building supports First Nations and Tribal Councils in British Columbia to complete projects that strengthen their community through capacity building and/or nation governance initiatives, according to their self-determined priorities. This funding is meant to be flexible to meet the unique and diverse community needs.
Eligible applicants: B.C. First Nations, B.C. Tribal Councils, Development Corporation/Organization wholly owned and operated by a BC First Nation
Deadline: December 5, 2025
Funding amount: 1-year grant of up to $60,000, or 2-year grant of up to $120,000
Contact: nationbuilding@nrtf.ca
Description: This Grant Program provides funding to British Columbians who are looking to create safer roads and spaces for their community. All local governments, Indigenous communities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are welcome to apply to one of two program streams:
Stream #1 is mainly for the design and installation of low-cost road infrastructure that improves the safety of vulnerable road users. It may also include other novel projects, such as road policy changes or other proven or innovative initiatives.
Stream #2 is for Indigenous communities and governments to set and direct their own road safety priorities. This may include infrastructure improvements like in Stream #1, but can also extend to other goals, such as road safety planning, community consultations, stakeholder engagement, public awareness, a bike-share program, and etc.
Eligible applicants: Applicants from the following groups are eligible for Vision Zero funding:
Local governments,
Indigenous governments,
Public sector organizations, and
Non‐governmental organizations.
Deadline: November 28, 2025
Funding amount: Up to $20,000 per project
Contact: bcinjury@bcchr.ca
Description: Swim Drink Fish is proud to launch the WAVE Prize, a new way for communities across British Columbia to reimagine their waterfronts as inclusive, vibrant public spaces. The WAVE Prize seeks to provide up to five grants between $3–15 million to local governments and First Nations, to help them build natural water swimming structures. This province-wide initiative supports bold, community-led ideas that connect people to swimmable water while creating healthier communities, more inclusive waterfronts, and stronger connections to nature, inspired by innovative, world-class design.
Eligible applicants: Local governments and First Nations
Deadline: January 9, 2026
Funding amount: The WAVE Prize seeks to provide up to five grants between $3-15 million to local governments and First Nations, to help them build natural water swimming structures. The funding model seeks to cover a maximum of 80% of eligible construction costs, with a minimum of 20% contributed by the participating community.
Contact: wave@swimdrinkfish.ca
Workforce Development:
Description: The Generation Power program connects Indigenous youth with employers in the energy industry through work placements. Through 3 to 12 month-long job opportunities, Indigenous youth will get hands-on experience in the growing clean energy economy in Canada and around the world and learn about the diversity of career opportunities in the field.
Eligible applicants: To qualify, participants must:
Self-identify as a First Nation, Inuit or Métis;
Be between 18 and 30 years old;
Be eligible to work in Canada.
Deadline: Not specified.
Funding amount: A wage subsidy of 75% (up to $30,000)
Contact: athomson@indigenouscleanenergy.com
Description: The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative, delivered through the Community Workforce Development Program, helps workers affected by a mass layoff that significantly impacts the community. The initiative complements existing federal, provincial, and territorial programs by providing additional support to help laid-off workers transition to new jobs.
Eligible applicants:
not-for-profit organizations;
for-profit organizations if the nature and intent of the activity is:
non-commercial
not intended to generate profit, and
supports program priorities and objectives;
municipal governments;
Indigenous organizations or governments (Indigenous organizations may include, but are not limited to, incorporated for profit and not-for-profit Indigenous controlled organizations, Indigenous controlled unincorporated associations, Band Councils, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous self-government entities);
educational institutions (universities, colleges, CÉGEPs, school boards/school districts).
Deadline: Eligible organizations can apply to this continuous intake by submitting an expression of interest. Applications will be accepted until funding has been fully committed.
Funding amount: Varies.
Description: YWCA NextStep is a free, 12-week experiential program designed to help you set career and life goals, and gain real-world experience through:
A community project
Volunteering
Employment
Further education
You’ll also receive a completion bonus and additional supports. Join from anywhere in BC!
Eligible applicants:
Between the ages of 16 and 30 years old
Unemployed or underemployed
Legally eligible to work in Canada
Experiencing barriers to employment or further education
Willing and able to participate in six weeks of group-based workshops, three days per week
Deadline: Virtual cohort open to youth across BC: November 10, 2025. We accept registrations on an ongoing basis.
Funding amount: Training program.
Contact: techconnect@ywcavan.org
Description: Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) staff play an important role in supporting children, families, and the community. The First Nations ECE Wage Enhancement funding was designed to assist licensed and unlicensed programs with recruiting and retaining qualified ELCC staff working in First Nations ELCC programs.
Eligible applicants:
ECE
Infant and Toddler Educator
Special Needs Educator
ECE assistants
Responsible Adults
Approved Managers
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Funding amount: Funding Available in 6 Month Periods:
Incentive for applying — $500 per employee
Wage “top-ups” —up to $5,000 per employee
Mandatory Employment Related Costs coverage — 20% of the combined above amounts
Contact: chelsead@acc-society.bc.ca
Natural Resources:
Description: The program provides communities with access to critical and timely funding, supporting watershed work and partnerships in all regions of British Columbia. Funding will meet watershed stewards where they are, encouraging collaboration among First Nations, local governments, NGOs, and community groups.
Eligible applicants: Eligible Organizations for WSF grant funding include Indigenous and non-Indigenous Organizations in any of these categories:
Registered Non–profit
Educational Institution
Social Enterprise (C3)
And:
First Nation (including First Nation governments, Tribal Councils and others)
Local/Regional Government
Deadline: November 17, 2025
Funding amount: $50,000-$400,000
Contact: grants@watershedsecurityfund.ca
Description: The CEC established NAPECA to promote shared responsibility and stewardship for the environment by engaging and partnering with local and Indigenous communities, registered nongovernmental organizations, and academia in Canada, Mexico and the United States. For this grant cycle of NAPECA, the CEC is calling for project proposals that will help North American communities implement circular economy initiatives and strategies to improve local well-being and the environment.
Eligible applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply:
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), environmental groups and community-based associations that are incorporated as nonprofit organizations;
Tribal nations, Indigenous governments, councils and organizations; and
Universities, academic and public research institutions.
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Funding amount: You can submit proposals for up to $150,000 Canadian dollars. There is no minimum grant amount established.
Contact: napeca@cec.org
Description: The Environmental Damages Fund receives money from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments for environmental violations. This money is used to support projects that will benefit Canada’s natural environment, usually in the area where the violation occurred.
Stream 1: For projects related to advancing research and development related to (1) improving the body of knowledge of substances found in consumer products that may impact the environment in Canada; and/or (2) identifying methods for reducing environmental risk of harmful substances found in consumer products in Canada. Applicants with projects of national scope or projects from any province or territory are welcome to apply.
Stream 2: For projects related to increasing education and awareness related to (1) raising awareness of the environmental impact of substances found in consumer products in Canada; and/or (2) promoting good practices to mitigate the environmental impact of substances found in consumer products in Canada. Applicants with projects of national scope or projects from any province or territory are welcome to apply.
Eligible applicants:
non-government organizations (e.g., environmental community groups, registered charities, etc.)
Indigenous organizations, defined as:
National, provincial, and territorial Indigenous organizations
Tribal councils
Indigenous communities
universities and academic institutions (e.g., community colleges)
provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
Deadline: December 18, 2025
Funding amount:
Stream 1: $50,000 minimum may be requested
Stream 2: $250000 minimum may be requested
Contact: EDF-FDE2@ec.gc.ca or fdeouestnord-edfwestnorth@ec.gc.ca
Description: The BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards Foundation was established in 2020 to recognize and financially support conservation-based initiatives in the Province of British Columbia. The awards are given annually for the most impactful initiatives brought forward by BC based charities, for specific work contributing to the improvement of the natural environment of BC and the preservation of its wilderness and biodiversity.
Eligible applicants: Qualified applicants must be BC based charities, and the initiatives must take place in BC.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Funding amount: Awards are valued from $10,000-$50,000. All funds must be deployed by the end of the year following the year of the award.
Contact: info@bccbawards.ca
Description: 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.
Eligible applicants: Criteria outlined here.
Deadline: November 13, 2025
Funding amount: $25,000 to $100,000
Contact: PIHPacific-HSPPacific@ec.gc.ca
Emergency Management:
Description: The FNESS–ISC On-Reserve Wildfire Resiliency Program is designed to support First Nations communities in strengthening their wildfire resiliency at both the community and landscape levels. Delivered in partnership between the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS) and Indigenous Services Canada, the program funds and facilitates the implementation of wildfire mitigation strategies that are flexible, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the unique strengths and customs of First Nations communities.
Eligible applicants: All Bands and Treaty First Nations in BC are eligible to apply. All lands under the management of First Nations are eligible for funding.
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Funding amount: $150,000 per community. Proposed projects can contain components of all three streams.
Contact: wildfireresiliency@fness.bc.ca
Description: The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to build local capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of ESS equipment.
Eligible applicants: All First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources) and local governments (municipalities and regional districts) in BC are eligible to apply.
Deadline: November 14, 2025
Funding amount: up to $30,000
Contact: cepf@ubcm.ca
Arts, Culture and Heritage:
Description: The Language Vitality Program provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and support the creation of fluent speakers.