If your organization is working to protect species at risk in Canada, you may have heard of the Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program. This federal program helps protect and manage important habitats under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). However, the way funding is provided is different from most public grant programs. Here’s what you need to know about how the program works, who can benefit, and how to get involved.
The Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program (CHIP) is a federal funding program managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Its main goal is to help federal departments and agencies protect and manage critical habitat for species listed under SARA.
Unlike most grants, CHIP does not accept applications from the public. Instead, it is set up to move funding between federal departments to support conservation work.
This is where many people get confused.
The Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program is not open to businesses, non-profits, or municipalities. Only federal departments and agencies can receive funding through this program.
Examples include departments managing:
Non-profits, Indigenous organizations, and businesses cannot apply directly to CHIP.
CHIP funds projects that help federal departments meet their duties under SARA.
Projects must clearly focus on critical habitat identified under SARA or in the process of being protected.
There is no public application process for the Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program.
Departments identify their needs
Each federal department looks at what funding they need to meet SARA requirements on the lands or waters they manage.
Requests are made within the federal government
Departments submit funding requests through internal government processes. These are coordinated by ECCC and follow government funding rules.
Projects are reviewed for fit
Funding decisions look at legal needs, conservation results, and federal priorities.
Funds are given to departments
Approved projects get funding within the federal system.
If you are not part of a federal department, you cannot apply directly. However, you might still be involved as:
In these cases, your funding usually comes through a contract, a partnership, or a contribution agreement with a federal department—not straight from CHIP.
Yes, but only indirectly.
Non-profits, Indigenous groups, researchers, and environmental companies may:
If you want direct grant funding, you should look at other federal programs. Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher make it easy to filter programs by province, organization type, and environmental focus.
CHIP does not accept direct applications from the public. Sending in applications as a non-federal group will not work.
There are no set funding amounts for CHIP projects. The amount depends on each department’s needs and federal priorities.
Some programs, like the Habitat Stewardship Program, are open to non-federal applicants. CHIP is only for federal departments.
Many organizations miss out because they only look for grants, not contracts or partnership agreements with federal departments.
Q: What is the Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program?
It is a federal funding program managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. It helps federal departments protect critical habitat for species at risk under SARA.
Q: Can my non-profit apply directly?
No. Only federal departments can apply. Non-profits may be involved as partners or service providers, but not as direct applicants.
Q: What projects are supported?
Projects must focus on protecting, conserving, monitoring, or managing critical habitat linked to SARA obligations.
Q: How much funding is available?
Funding amounts are not published. They depend on the needs of each department and the scope of the project.
Q: Is the funding taxable or repayable?
Funding stays within the federal system. If you receive funding as a partner or contractor, check with an accountant about tax rules for your agreement.
If your organization works in habitat conservation but CHIP is not a direct fit, there are many other federal and provincial funding programs to consider. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada. You can quickly see which ones match your organization type, location, and environmental goals.
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