Climate Emergency Grant Program

Funding for the 2025–2026 Climate Emergency Grant Program has now been fully allocated, supporting five First Nations–led projects responding to and preparing for climate emergencies across their territories.

Apply for Funding

Climate change is having a profound impact across British Columbia (BC): Wildfires, droughts and shifting water conditions are threatening ecosystems, species and the wellbeing of communities. Indigenous communities hold generations of stewardship knowledge rooted in deep connection to land and water. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to advance indigenous-led stewardship projects that integrate traditional knowledge with modern science to protect and restore salmon populations.

Program Overview

The Climate Emergency Grant Program supports First Nations in BC to respond to urgent environmental emergencies affecting ecosystems and species in their territories. This program is intended to enable timely action when urgent environmental threats arise and require immediate intervention.

Funding Information

Funding through the Climate Emergency Grant Program provides a minimum of CAD $25,000 per project. A total budget of CAD $300,000 is available each fiscal year to support all approved projects.


Key dates for the 2026-2027 Climate Emergency Grant Program:

  • Opening Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
  • Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are fully allocated
  • Review Period: Ongoing throughout the year
  • Funding Decisions: Communicated within up to one week of application submission

Eligible projects include

Wildfire Recovery

Wildfire Recovery

Post-wildfire restoration actions to recover aquatic habitats. Eligible activities include sediment control to reduce erosion, mitigation of elevated water temperatures caused by loss of riparian shading, riparian vegetation planting and bank stabilization to restore ecosystem function.

Drought Relief

Drought Relief

Emergency response actions to address low-flow conditions and protect salmon populations, including assessing stranding sites, fish salvage and relocation, streamflow monitoring, restoring migration corridors and spawning access, and augmenting water flow to mitigate critically low levels.

F

Flooding

Immediate post-flood response measures to protect aquatic species and habitat. Eligible activities include rescuing stranded fish, assessing and monitoring water quality, as well as addressing impacts to stream crossings and infrastructure (e.g., culverts, bridges) following flood events.

Landslide

Landslides

Response and monitoring activities to address landslide impacts on aquatic systems. This includes fish passage assessment and monitoring, tracking salmon movement and migration barriers, as well as monitoring sediment transport and water quality to evaluate habitat conditions.

At-risk Aquatic Species Rescue

At-risk Aquatic Species Rescue

Targeted rescue and recovery efforts for aquatic species affected by emergency events. Activities may include locating and rescuing stranded animals, providing temporary care (e.g., feeding, treatment if required) and safely returning them to suitable habitat.

Extreme Heat Protection

Climate Preparedness

Supporting proactive initiatives that help communities anticipate, monitor, and reduce climate risks before emergencies occur. Activities may include drought and flood monitoring, emergency preparedness planning, habitat assessments, and climate resilience projects.

Questions? We’re here to help!

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below:

  • First Nations in B.C.
  • First Nation-led organizations in B.C., including but not limited to:
  • Tribal councils
  • First Nation alliances
  • First Nation-mandated societies
  • First Nation fisheries or stewardship authorities

    All applicant organizations must be First Nation–led and formally mandated by one or more First Nations in British Columbia.

  • First Nations located outside what is now known as British Columbia (BC)
  • Organizations that are not First Nation-led, including:
    • Non-Indigenous organizations
    • Organizations where First Nations do not hold decision-making authority

The Climate Emergency Grant Program prioritizes funding for Nations responding to active climate emergencies. While we recognize the importance of preparedness and long-term climate resilience, there may be limited opportunities to support this type of work (it is considered a secondary priority). Funding for preparedness initiatives depends on the number and urgency of active emergencies within a given fiscal year, as the program’s primary mandate is to address immediate response needs.

No. Multi-year projects are not eligible under the Climate Emergency Grant Program. We accept proposals for projects of up to one year in duration only. This approach ensures flexibility in future fiscal years, allowing us to respond to an unknown number of climate emergencies as they arise.

Yes. Eligible applicants may submit more than one application, provided each project is distinct and responds to a separate emergency need.

This program is not intended to support projects that do not require immediate action, such as long-term planning, research, or preventative initiatives. These types of activities are generally better suited to the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program, which supports proactive and longer-term approaches to salmon recovery

No. While climate change impacts are a key concern, the Climate Emergency Grant Program supports responses to any urgent environmental emergencies that require timely actions to protect ecosystems and species.

Recognizing the urgent nature of funded projects, reporting requirements are intentionally kept minimal.Successful applicants are required to complete a single project update report form at the end of the project period. The due date will be outlined in the grant agreement and a simple reporting form will be provided to collect key information, avoiding the need for grantees to develop their own reports or follow pre-determined templates.

If you still need assistance or have specific questions, please contact Yasmin Passos at yasmin@isfund.ca or Becca Shen at becca@isfund.ca.

About the Climate Emergency Grant Program


Launched in 2024, the Climate Emergency Grant Program is a partnership between the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) and the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC). The program provides rapid support to First Nations responding to climate emergencies such as wildfires, droughts, floods and other high-impact environmental events across British Columbia (BC). Since its launch, the program has supported Nations in recovering from climate disasters and strengthening environmental resilience for future generations.

PROGRAM IMPACT TO DATE

Projects Funded: 15

First Nations / First Nation Organizations Supported: 14

Total Funding Awarded: $577,147

Explore Our Indigenous-Led Projects

Contact Us

Registered Charity Number: 77442 2281 RR0001

Donate Now

Support our mission of promoting environmental conservation and Indigenous stewardship.