Feasibility study: Adaptation in Action
Turning climate plans into action-ready projects
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Funding Snapshot
- Grant up to 80%* of eligible costs
- Up to a maximum of $70,000
The following organizations are eligible for GMF funding.
- Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts, and local boards)
- Municipal partners, which include:
- Municipally owned corporations
- Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services
- Non-governmental organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Research institutes (e.g., universities)
- Indigenous community
For-profit entities are not eligible partners.
A feasibility study of a climate adaptation project that improves municipal readiness for climate events.
We are currently not accepting applications for this funding. Funding is scheduled to open with new application details in Spring/Summer 2025. To be the first to know when funding is open sign up to FCM’s Connect newsletter.
See Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation for details about GMF’s adaptation funding and resources. Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.
See Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation for details about our next funding application timeframe.
*The following applicants may qualify for additional grant funding of up to 100% of eligible project costs:
- Rural or remote communities, and municipalities with populations below 10,000, will receive a cost share of 90%
- Indigenous communities and local governments applying in partnership with an Indigenous community will receive a cost share of 100%
What we fund
We fund feasibility studies that assess the viability of climate adaptation projects with total expected eligible implementation costs of up to $1 million. These studies should evaluate projects that would be eligible under the Adaptation in Action: Implementation Projects funding.
Feasibility studies (along with other verification methods) help you determine the practicality and viability of your project. This type of study usually examines a project’s financial, technical, legal and operational aspects, plus scheduling and other factors. Study results provide insights into the project’s achievability and the likelihood of its success.
Identifying a project’s potential challenges, risks and opportunities through a feasibility study enables decision-makers to make informed choices about whether to proceed, modify or abandon a proposed initiative.
What your project needs to achieve
The feasibility study must:
- Focus on a project that would be eligible for funding under Adaptation in Action: Implementation Projects funding offer, with a reasonable expectation that eligible project costs will not exceed $1 million
- Include an options analysis to assess the feasibility of incorporating nature-based solutions and minimizing or reducing project-related greenhouse gas emissions
- Examine the technical, financial, legal and operational feasibility of the proposed adaptation solution, including site considerations
- Demonstrate alignment with a priority risk in your community’s climate risk assessment or climate adaptation plan
- Identify potential benefits and consequences for equity-deserving and marginalized communities, and describe how those groups were engaged or consulted before and/or during the study
- Include inclusive engagement practices* that reflect a diversity of community voices
- Demonstrate that new infrastructure assets are not at high risk of flooding damage (if the proposed asset will be located within the 100-year floodplain, the applicant will be required to show evidence that the asset has been designed to be resilient to flooding)
*Inclusive engagement refers to a collaborative and participatory process that actively involves the diverse voices and perspectives within a community and ensures that all community members are given an opportunity to contribute to decision-making processes.
Required documents
To apply for GMF funding, you must submit:
- a pre-application form
- an application form
- a project workbook
- all required supporting documents specified in the application guide, including a community climate hazard risk assessment or climate adaptation plan
A GMF project officer will be your point of contact throughout the process. They will review your file and provide feedback. You may be asked to revisit some steps to help you submit a complete and high-quality application.
Readiness check
Complete the following questions to determine if your feasibility study could be eligible for funding in Spring/Summer 2025.
Question 1
Question 1a
This funding is intended to support Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners with climate change adaptation.
Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding.
Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.
Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training.
Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
It sounds like you have the start of an excellent project.
We are currently not accepting applications for this funding. Funding is scheduled to open in Spring/Summer 2025. To be the first to know when funding is open sign up to FCM’s Connect newsletter.
See Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation for details about GMF’s adaptation funding and resources. Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.
If you have questions regarding specific projects and alignment with GMF funding, contact a representative:
Please contact us now
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Quebec municipalities
FCM is working with Quebec's ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH) to confirm an agreement that allows FCM to fund feasibility studies for climate adaptation projects in Quebec. Once an agreement is reached, FCM will invite Quebec municipalities to apply.
Non-municipal organizations with a partnership with Quebec municipalities are eligible and invited to apply to access this funding.
Municipally owned corporations are not included in the agreement with the ministry. They must obtain authorization from the Quebec government to secure an agreement with FCM, in accordance with the Ministère du Conseil exécutif. Private non-profit organizations can submit their applications to FCM directly.
Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.
Learn more about the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative
Discover the ways GMF is supporting communities to become more resilient to climate change impacts.
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