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.
The deadline to submit a full application for this funding is July 8-October 28, 2025, or until available funds for this round have been allocated.
Applicants are encouraged to contact GMF early in the application period to receive their pre-application form, which GMF uses to validate the eligibility of the proposal. Only proposals for which a full application has been submitted will be considered in a funding round.
Lead municipalities are eligible to receive up to the following number of projects through Adaptation in Action:
Population Size | Number of Projects |
<50,000 | 1 Implementation Project 1 Feasibility Study |
50,000 – 500,000 | 2 Implementation Projects 2 Feasibility Studies |
>500,000 | 3 Implementation Projects 3 Feasibility Studies |
See Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation for details about our next funding application timeframe.
See the list of eligible costs.
*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
Your 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.
At a Glance: Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation funding offers
| Details | Climate-Ready Plans and Processes | Feasibility Studies: Adaptation in Action | Implementation Projects: Adaptation in Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Helps communities prepare and plan for climate change. | Assesses the viability of projects to tackle climate risks. | Implements real-world projects that address local climate challenges. |
| Eligible Projects | Climate risk assessments, climate adaptation plans, and resilience training. | Studies to determine viability and help prepare for future projects. | Infrastructure improvements and service enhancements that tackle local climate needs and improve community wellbeing. |
| Funding Type | Grants of up to $140K | Grants of up to $70K | Grants of up to $1M |
| Who Should Apply? | Communities at the start of their climate journey | Communities looking to assess the practicality of their proposed climate adaptation project | Communities ready to execute climate resilience projects |
| Key Outcomes | Enhance climate adaptation strategies and community engagement | Clear project feasibility and design ready for future action | Direct improvements to community infrastructure that reduce climate risks and enhance community wellbeing. |
| Learn More | Climate-Ready Plans and Processes funding | Feasibility Studies: Adaptation in Action funding | Implementation Projects: Adaptation in Action funding |
Readiness check
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.
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 with new application details: July 8, 2025.
Please contact us now
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
No recommendation
Application process
Phase 1: Readiness check
Before applying, please complete the Readiness Check to determine if your feasibility study could be eligible for funding and to learn about next steps.
Phase 2: Contact a GMF representative
After you have completed the readiness check and determined your eligibility, please contact a GMF representative to discuss your project and obtain the necessary pre-application form.
Contact a GMF representative to schedule an appointment:
1-877-417-0550
Book a meeting with a GMF representative
A GMF representative will review your pre-application form. They will confirm whether your organization and initiative are eligible to proceed to the next stage of the application process.
If you are a municipality or municipal corporation from Quebec, all pre-applications must be submitted and approved by Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH).
Phase 3: Full application submission
If your organization and initiative are confirmed to be eligible to proceed to the next phase, your GMF representative will inform you that the full application is available. They will also provide you with a project workbook template to complete and submit with the full application form.
It is important to note that even if a pre-application is permitted to move forward with a full application, it does not guarantee that the project will eligible once all project details are evaluated by GMF, or that it will be approved for funding.
As you complete the application form, contact your GMF representative if you have any questions. Once you’ve filled out the application and project workbook and attached the required supporting documents, submit them to GMF.
Phase 4: GMF project officer review
Once the full application is submitted, a GMF project officer will be assigned to your file and will review your application for accuracy and completeness. They will work with you to resolve any remaining questions and be your point of contact throughout the remainder of the application and funding-decision process.
Phase 5: Peer review and internal review
An external expert peer review panel will evaluate implementation project applications. Feasibility study applications will be assessed internally by GMF staff. Funding recommendations are then provided to GMF Council and FCM’s Board of Directors.
Phase 6: Funding decision
GMF Council makes funding recommendations to FCM’s Board of Directors for funding approval.
How to apply
- Complete the Readiness check.
- Download and review the application guide.
- Reach out to a GMF representative to discuss your project at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550.
- Review the list of prerequisites and supporting documents in Appendix C of the application guide.
- Review the eligible and ineligible costs.
- Ensure you have a detailed project budget in place and are securing other funding sources for your project.
- Complete the pre-application form.
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.
Related Resources
See All
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Webinar recording: Low Carbon Resilience approach for municipal processes
Watch our webinar to learn how the Low Carbon Resilience approach can support municipal climate planning. Discover practical steps.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Climate resilience training from GMF Partners
Find climate resilience training for municipal staff and officials. Explore GMF Partner-led workshops, webinars, and events to boost climate adaptation skills.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Webinar recording: National flood resilience standards for municipal climate planning
Learn how national standards can strengthen municipal climate resilience. Discover practical steps for adapting your climate plans.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Climate-Ready Communities Assessment Tool
Assess your community’s climate adaptation efforts and discover actionable steps to improve resilience
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Webinar recording: Climate data in action
Learn how climate data enhances municipal adaptation projects and strategies for effective climate adaptation planning.
Climate Adaptation
Resources: How to document and maintain municipal levels of service
Improve how your municipality sets and documents levels of service with this handy set of practical tools.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Factsheet: Why equity matters in municipal climate adaptation
Discover how your local government can build equity into its climate resilience activities. Read this factsheet for key definitions and helpful resources.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Adaptation Actions to Implement Climate Resilience
Use this web-based tool to guide early conversations around climate adaptation implementation in your municipality.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Factsheet: Applying an Indigenous inclusion lens to climate adaptation
Discover examples and strategies on how Indigenous perspectives can strengthen municipal climate adaptation strategies.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Factsheet: Advancing government-to-Nation relationships
Discover tips and real-world examples for advancing government-to-Nation relationships in this factsheet.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Factsheet: Advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in municipal service delivery
Discover key definitions and examples that can help you advance equity, diversity and inclusion in municipal service delivery.
Climate Adaptation
Connect and Collaborate with Communities of Practice
Learn about how a Community of Practice can support your municipality’s climate adaptation activities. Discover and apply to join a collaborative network to address climate impacts facing your community.
Climate Adaptation
Adaptation in Action coaching
Learn how Adaptation in Action coaching services can support your municipality in implementing climate adaptation projects.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Webinar recording: Navigating equitable climate adaptation in Canadian municipalities
Explore municipal climate adaptation across Canada and discover the landscape of equitable climate action in our webinar.
Climate Adaptation
Climate change adaptation
Adaptation resource library
Discover best-in-class reports, guides, case studies, templates and more, all aimed at helping you advance your community’s climate resilience.
Asset management
Learning journey: Climate resilience and asset management
Discover how your community can combine its climate action and asset management approaches, with our learning journey. Watch a video and read our easy-to-understand factsheets and guide.
Asset management
Tool: Starting the conversation about asset management
Share our ready-to-use, customizable presentation with your municipal council to raise awareness of asset management and its value to your community. Download it today.
Asset management
How to implement asset management in your municipality
Discover how to make asset management practices a part of your municipality’s daily business decision-making framework. Learn from a video, case study and checklist, developed to support your municipality.
Asset management
Tools: Operations and maintenance for climate resilience
Learn strategies to improve your community’s climate resilience through your existing assets and programs. Check out our handbook, worksheet and factsheets.
Asset management
Video series: Climate resilience and asset management
Watch this video series to learn how municipalities across Canada are making climate action a part of their municipal asset management practices and decision-making.
Asset management
Integrating Climate Considerations: Governance and Operations
Municipal day-to-day operations need to integrate climate change data and considerations. Read this page to learn questions and tools that can help you take climate action in your community.
Asset management
Integrating Climate Considerations: Community planning
Is your municipality updating or renewing its community plan? Check out this page to learn what climate considerations you should be integrating in your planning activities and learn about what tools you will want to use before you create your plan.
Asset management
Natural assets bolster climate resilience
Help your municipality understand, value and manage its green infrastructure in the context of climate change with these resources.
Asset management
Integrating Climate Considerations: Service delivery planning
Is your municipality reviewing its service delivery planning? This page can help you discover climate considerations you should be integrating in your service delivery planning activities and learn about what tools you will want to use before you create your plan.
Asset management
Practical advice for common asset management challenges
Watch our webinar to hear lessons learned and practical advice that will help your municipality tackle common asset management challenges.
Asset management
InfraGuide: National guide to sustainable municipal infrastructure
Access reports designed to help you maximize returns on your community’s infrastructure investment and support sustainable infrastructure decisions and actions. Learn more.
Asset management
Guide: Getting started with asset management in your municipality
Download the guide now and see how this tool can help your municipality get started on building asset management practices.
Asset management
Tool: Asset management readiness scale
Use our Asset Management Readiness Scale to assess your municipality's asset management practices and identify areas for improvement to help you advance.
Asset management
Guide: How to develop an asset management policy and strategy
Learn how to set up a sustainable asset management approach in your municipality. Hear from other communities that have successfully built asset management systems.
Asset management
Guide: Building sustainable communities with asset management
Discover how asset management practices help municipalities sustainably manage infrastructure and deliver services over the long term.
Asset management
Video: Why invest in asset management
Is your municipality struggling to plan for growth, the effects of climate change and infrastructure updates? Watch this video to see how asset management planning can help.
Related Projects
See All
Climate Adaptation
Transportation
Land Use