We are now accepting applications for the Indigenous Monitoring and Stewardship Fund 2025/2026 funding year. Applications must be submitted before July 15, 2025.
The Indigenous Monitoring and Stewardship Fund is a pilot program at Manitoba Hydro. The Indigenous Monitoring and Stewardship Fund offers funding for community-based activities that build understanding of the waters and shorelines in Manitoba affected by hydroelectric development. This funding is specifically for Indigenous communities, Indigenous governments, regional Indigenous governance organizations, and tribal councils that have a connection to the waters and shorelines affected by hydroelectric development on the Churchill, Burntwood, Nelson, Saskatchewan, Laurie and Winnipeg River systems.
Eligible projects may receive up to $125,000. Projects selected for funding will take place in 2026.
Eligibility
To be considered for funding, your project must be connected to waters and shorelines affected by hydroelectric development on the Churchill, Burntwood, Nelson, Saskatchewan, Laurie or Winnipeg River systems.
Your project must include one or more:
- community-led stewardship initiatives that support Indigenous Knowledge or community-led environmental monitoring;
- camps or gatherings that support the sharing of Indigenous Knowledge laws and teachings;
- capacity-building, outreach, and community-based training and/or sharing of Indigenous Knowledge or environmental monitoring expertise;
- community displays, community art or video projects that relate to historical, environmental, and Indigenous Knowledge teachings;
- species and habitat identification, monitoring, and protection;
- community oral history projects
Projects that are ineligible include:
- projects that replace, duplicate, or are already funded through activities of Manitoba Hydro, the Coordinated Aquatic Monitoring Program, or any other established program;
- energy resource or development projects;
- scholarship programs intended to fund individual degree or accreditation programs (outside of short-term and community-based monitoring training initiatives);
- projects located on Lake Winnipeg;
- projects that include large capital purchases (exceptions are possible on a case-by-case basis – the purchases must be supported by a detailed business case);
- fish stocking programs;
- heritage resource monitoring programs;
- projects that subsidize individual or commercial resource harvesting activities or harvesters;
- projects designed to support negotiation or litigation with governments or Manitoba Hydro;
- multi-year projects.
To be considered for funding, your application must:
- be complete;
- be received on or before July 15;
- clearly demonstrate how the project is eligible for funding, according to the eligibility list above;
- outline all project locations, objectives, methods, resources, and schedules, including backup plans in the event of delays;
- show a clear connection to waters and shorelines that may be affected by hydroelectric development on the Churchill, Burntwood, Nelson, Saskatchewan, Laurie or Winnipeg River systems;
- include a detailed project budget that shows the expected costs of all components of the project;
- include a date when the final report on the project will be submitted that includes explanations of how the project’s results will be shared with community members;
- show how the project will support community objectives and maximize benefit to the community.
We evaluate all applications. Depending on the number of applicants and subject to all other criteria being equal, we may prioritize funding applicants who have not received funding in the previous program year.
Ineligible costs
Some costs that are part of your project may not be eligible for funding.
Ineligible costs include:
- the cost of developing a project proposal;
- costs that have already been incurred; and
- costs that are not directly related to the project.
Note: No more than 10% of funding may be allocated to general administration costs. No more than 50% of funding may be provided to consultants or technical experts.
If your project is chosen for funding
If your project is selected for funding, we will work with you on a funding agreement. This agreement will outline your funding, explain your project activities, and detail reporting requirements. While reporting requirements are part of the funding agreement, you will own the Indigenous Knowledge and any other information produced by your project.
It will be your responsibility to secure all approvals, regulatory and other, required to implement the funded project. Manitoba Hydro will also ask that you notify any communities or organizations who may have an interest in your project area about the funded work.
When the funding agreement is finalized and executed, we will provide 60 % of the approved funding. You must submit an interim report on or before September 15, 2026 to receive an additional 20 % of the funding. The final 20 % of funding will be provided following submission of a final project report.
If a funding agreement is executed by a First Nation, a band council resolution is required. If a funding agreement is executed by a community council, Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations approval may also be required.
If you are selected for funding, you will be invited to our workshop to share the outcomes of your project.
Apply
Submit your applicationContact us
If you have questions about eligibility, applying for funding, implementing your project, or would like to provide feedback on this pilot program, contact us.