The Environmental Trust Fund provides funding for projects focused on protecting, preserving, and enhancing the province’s natural environment within one of three priority areas.
Call for applications starts October 31, 2025
Call for applications closes November 30, 2025
2025-2026 Environmental Trust Fund Award List
Project proposals must fit into at least one of the three (3) priority areas:
Note: Many submissions may fit into more than one priority area. When applying, choose up to two (2) priority areas and measures that are most relevant to your project.
Projects will be considered and evaluated based on the priority measures and how they fit into the priority areas. Initiatives that align best with these measures will be given funding priority.
Before completing your application, review the fund priority areas and measures above.
Steps and information on how to complete your Environmental Trust Fund application.
Call for applications starts: October 31, 2025
Deadline for proposals: November 30, 2025
Certain projects will require licences or permits to undertake all or part of the activity. It is the applicant’s responsibility to:
You should begin the process to obtain the required licence or permit as early as possible because the review to obtain various supporting licences required may take some time i.e., the application for a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit must be made at least two (2) months in advance of the anticipated starting date to ensure sufficient time for review.
Actual costs up to, but not exceeding, the approved amount for eligible projects are reimbursed. The letter of offer sent to successful projects explains reimbursement, time frames, and other procedures. The letter acts as a contractual agreement between the recipient and the provincial government.
Funding is for expenses within the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) in the year they are announced. Multi-year projects will need to re-apply each year for funding. The fund will not help restore environmental quality or undertake measures necessary to meet environmental standards when the responsible party can be held accountable.
New for 2026-27: The Environmental Trust Fund is considering the possibility of supporting recurring projects beyond the 2026-2027 program year. To be eligible for this consideration, applicants must include a clear outline of their plans for continued activities and the anticipated total cost in the “Prior Fund” section of the application. Potential recurring projects will be assessed following the submission of midterm reports. To enable early assessment and potential pre-intake decisions, interim reports may be required by September 30, 2026. This would allow for project review ahead of the 2026 intake.
Applicants are encouraged to explore other possible sources of funding to share in the project's costs. This third-party funding and/or in-kind contributions will enable the fund to extend assistance to a greater number of projects.
Before your project begins, you must have all licences and permits required to carry out your project. Funding approval does not excuse you from regulatory requirements.
In addition, the fund does not support projects where the recipient would gain an advantage over entrepreneurs in the same sector or a related sector of the economy.
Some activities are generally not supported by the fund, such as:
Over the years, the Environmental Trust Fund successfully supported thousands of projects. Community groups, New Brunswick local governments, First Nations, non-profit organizations, and institutions all shared their green ideas to make our communities a better place.
These projects have demonstrated tangible, measurable results, aimed at protecting, preserving, and enhancing the province’s natural environment.