Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR) Grant

Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Government of Canada
Amount: C $10,000 - C $50,000
Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Summary

The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR) Grant supports Indigenous-led projects aimed at the conservation of species at risk and their habitats across Canada. With over $60 million invested since 2004, the program enhances Indigenous capacity for wildlife protection, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and leadership. Eligible projects focus on various species, promoting stewardship and recovery efforts aligned with the Species at Risk Act, while fostering community engagement in conservation activities.

Overview

NOTE: Applicants wishing to pursue aquatic IPSAR projects should contact the appropriate aquatic regional coordinator at DFO. What is the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk Program about The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR), formerly known as the ‘Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR)’, is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The program recognizes the important role Indigenous Peoples have in wildlife conservation by supporting Indigenous leadership in the conservation, protection and recovery of species at risk and culturally significant species, and their habitats on Indigenous lands or territories. The program also supports the development of Indigenous capacity to actively participate in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The IPSAR supports projects for terrestrial species including birds, land mammals, reptiles, and plants. Since 2004, more than $60 million has been invested in over 1,000 Indigenous-led projects benefitting species at risk across Canada. Objectives The objectives of AFSAR are to: support and promote the conservation, protection, and recovery of target species and their habitats on Indigenous lands or lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities are carried out by Indigenous peoplessupport the engagement and leadership of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation and recovery of species at risk, their habitats and SARA processes Eligible Species Projects must support and promote the conservation, protection, and recovery of species at risk and their habitats. To be eligible for IPSAR funding, projects must include one or more species from: Species At Risk Act(SARA) species as listed in the SARA Public Registry (except those listed as extirpated)COSEWIC species species assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered, threatened, or of special concern but have not been listed on Schedule 1 of SARA Eligible Activities The following activity categories are eligible for funding under IPSAR. Activities that do not fall under these categories are subject to approval by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Please discuss potential project activities other than those listed below with a Regional IPSAR Coordinator. habitat protection and securement through purchase, donation, or other securement means habitat improvement by enhancing or restoring habitat and/or changing land/water management or land/water use practices of target species species stewardship with direct intervention for target species under immediate threat from human activity or proactive/preventative activities conservation planning and developing local SAR conservation strategies, land use guidelines/best practices, and planning stewardship programs including engagement strategies for target audiences. surveys, inventories, and monitoring including identifying potential sites for habitat restoration or assessing the presence of a target species and its habitat project or program results evaluation to assess the social and biological results and effectiveness of conservation activities document and use of Indigenous knowledge; developing strategies, procedures, and/or protocols for community-led documentation, management, and use of Indigenous knowledge outreach and communications to appropriate audiences about conservation needs and specific actions to protect target species and promote stewardship to improve attitudes and change behaviours education and training to enhance knowledge, skills, and information exchange for practioners, stakeholders, and other relevant individuals

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All Indigenous communities and organizations located in Canada are eligible for funding, including:Indigenous not-for-profit and for profit organizations Territorially based Indigenous groups Chiefs councils, District councils, and Tribal councils Traditional appointed advisory committees Indigenous corporations, partnerships, and groups Indigenous research, academic, and educational institutions Indigenous cultural education centres Indigenous land/resource management authorities Indigenous co-operatives Indigenous societies, boards, and commissions Other organizations (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) if mandated by one of the above eligible recipients Projects must take place on:Reserves and lands set aside for the use and benefit of Indigenous peoples under the Indian Act or under section 91 (24) of the Constitution Act of 1867, or Other lands directly controlled by Indigenous peoples (e.g. Métis Settlement lands, and land claim/treaty settlement lands).Lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities (harvesting or other) are carried out by Indigenous peoples

Ineligibility

Ineligible projects and activities include: activities that are not closely linked to prescribed recovery actions in completed recovery strategies, action plans, or management plans when available for SARA-listed species and/or wildlife/conservation plans for COSEWIC-assessed species not listed on SARAcreation of promotional merchandise (such as hats or mugs)scientific research activities, captive breeding, captive rearing, extirpated species reintroductions, and the development of recovery strategies or action plans, including the identification of Critical Habitat as required under SARA. However, IPSAR-funded activities can contribute to the content of recovery documents, such as through the collection of species data that can be used to inform on habitat needs, threat mitigation measures, etc.