Salmon have long been a cornerstone of Indigenous cultures in British Columbia (BC)—providing sustenance, livelihood and deep spiritual meaning. Yet, First Nations have faced decades of declining salmon returns. According to the Government of BC, wild salmon populations have dropped by over 90% since the 1970s. This is more than a conservation crisis, it is a cultural and community emergency.
“When people lose salmon, they often lose a dinner. If First Nations people lose salmon, we lose our culture, our traditions and our ways of life.”
— Hugh Braker, President, First Nations Fisheries Council
Program Overview
The Salmon Resiliency Grant Program provides one-year and multi-year (up to two years) funding to support First Nations in British Columbia in leading initiatives that protect and restore wild Pacific salmon, strengthen watershed and habitat health, while building long-term community stewardship capacity. Successful applicants receive CAD $50,000 per year.
Next Application Intake: Janury 2027
The 2026 Salmon Resiliency Grant Program funding recipients have now been selected and the application period for this year is closed.
The Salmon Resiliency Grant Program opens for applications once a year, with the next intake scheduled to open in January 2027.
If you are interested in applying and would like to be notified when applications open, please contact Becca Shen at becca@isfund.ca to be added to our notification list.
Questions? We’re here to help!
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below:
Who Can Apply to the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program?
All applicant organizations must be First Nation–led and formally mandated by one or more First Nations in British Columbia.
Who is Not Eligible?
Can previous grantees apply again?
Previous grantees may apply again in a new intake year.
Is there an application limit per Nation?
Yes. One application per First Nation or First Nation organization may be submitted per intake under this program.
If a First Nations alliance or coalition applies, does that affect an individual First Nation’s eligibility to apply for funding?
No. Applications submitted by First Nations alliances, associations, coalitions, or consortiums do not affect the eligibility of individual Nations to apply for the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program.
Can funding under this program be used as part of a larger project?
Funding from the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program may support a defined component or phase of a larger project, provided that the activities funded through this program align with the program’s eligible project scope and are clearly described in the application.
Are matching funds required?
No, matching funds are not required under this program.
What reporting is required for grantees of the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program?
Successful applicants are required to submit two reports per year. Reports will be collected through online forms to reduce administrative burden for recipients:
For one-year projects, this results in two reports in total.
For multi-year projects, reporting is required annually, resulting in two reports per year for the duration of the project.
Specific reporting timelines and due dates will be confirmed in the grant agreement.
Will feedback be provided to unsuccessful applicants?
Unsuccessful applicants may request an online feedback session to discuss the application and receive guidance to support future submissions.
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 Salmon Resiliency Grant Program
Launched in 2023, the Salmon Resiliency Grant Program is an initiative of the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF), in partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC). The program supports Indigenous-led salmon and watershed conservation projects across the province, to help build capacity and advance salmon restoration efforts. Since its inception, the program has supported numerous First Nations in strengthening their stewardship of wild salmon in British Columbia (BC).
Projects Funded: 30
First Nations / First Nation Organizations Supported: 29
Total Funding Awarded: $2,107,096