Feasibility study: Adaptation in Action
Turning climate plans into action-ready projects
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Read the guide for more information on creating a successful application.
Read the application guideFunding 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 funding from Adaptation in Action for up to the following number of projects over the lifetime of the initiative, based on their population reported in the most recent census:
| Population Size | Total 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 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
For more information on this funding offer, please see the Local Leadership for Climate Action Application Guide – Adaptation in Action.
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.
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, adaptation plans, resilience training. | Studies to determine viability and prepare for future projects. | Infrastructure improvements and services that address climate needs. |
| 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 assessing project feasibility | Communities ready to execute resilience projects |
| Key Outcomes | Enhanced strategies and engagement | Feasibility and design clarity | Infrastructure improvements reducing climate risks |
| Learn More | Climate-Ready Plans and Processes funding | Feasibility Studies: Adaptation in Action funding | Implementation Projects: Adaptation in Action funding |
Coaching to support climate adaptation success
Access free, tailored support from experts to help your municipality implement effective, equitable and resilient adaptation projects.
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. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.
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’d like to continue the conversation.
The next step is to download the application guide and confirm your eligibility with a GMF representative. They’ll give you a pre-application form and support you in starting your application.
Please contact us now:
Please contact us now
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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: Pre-application submission
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 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.
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.
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