Current status: The funding application period is open until September 21, 2026.
On this page
- Program description
- Program objectives
- Available funding
- Eligibility assessment criteria
- Merit selection criteria
- Other criteria
- Notification
- Project scope and agreement
- How to apply
- Submit your application
- Important information
Program description
The Boating Safety Contribution Program (BSCP) supports organizations that:
- raise public awareness of recreational boating safety
- advance knowledge of boating safety issues, practices, and behaviours in Canada
- promote compliance with boating regulations
Program objectives
- Increase the number of pleasure craft users following safe boating practices
- Improve access to national boating incident data that will improve stakeholders’ capacity to deliver evidence-based awareness and education initiatives
- Help reduce deaths, injuries and property damages due to boating accidents
Available funding
- The BSCP will reimburse recipients up to 75 per cent of eligible expenditures incurred for the project.
- Maximum contribution per recipient - $80,000 per fiscal year for up to 3 years
- Projects may only begin upon ministerial approval.
Eligibility assessment criteria
Eligible recipients
Organizations must qualify as one of the following eligible recipients:
- not-for-profit non-government organizations
- all not-for-profit applicants must provide copies of legal documentation establishing or constituting the organizations as a legal entity (letters patent, articles and certificate of incorporation, or other legal instruments)
- public safety organizations
- educational institutions
- healthcare institutions
- enforcement services
- proposals received from these applicants must clearly demonstrate that the project is not part of their regular law enforcement duties – for more details please contact us
- provincial, territorial and municipal governments
- Indigenous groups and communities
Eligible activities
Contributions will be provided to support the following eligible activities in alignment with the program’s objective:
- encourage safe boating practices and compliance with regulations through outreach, education, awareness, and information. For example:
- promotional awareness campaigns (signage, social media outreach, awareness events)
- public education campaigns (coordinated outreach using workshops, online resources, videos, and other educational tools)
- school visits and youth-focused programming (classroom presentations, hands-on safety demonstrations, age-appropriate learning activities)
- production and distribution of materials that promote boating safety (brochures, videos, digital content, instructional guides)
- collection, analysis, and dissemination of boating safety data, particularly related to boater behaviours, attitudes, perceptions and knowledge. For example:
- pre- and post-season surveys to measure changes in behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions
- observational studies
- interviews and focus groups
Key boating safety areas of interest under this call for proposals
The following have been identified as Key Boating Areas of Interest under this call for proposals. Applicants are encouraged to address one or more of these areas in their proposed activities. During the assessment process, proposals addressing a greater number of Key Boating Areas will receive higher scores.
- personal flotation devices: promotion of the importance, correct use, proper fit, and accessibility of lifejackets and PFDs across all boating communities.
- power boating: safety practices targeting operators and passengers of powerboats under 6 metres;
- youth: education and engagement activities aimed at children, teens, and young adults;
- paddling and human-powered craft: Including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, and similar activities;
- hunters and anglers: Initiatives directed at individuals using watercraft (e.g., small boats, canoes) while hunting or fishing, particularly during high-risk seasons;
Eligible expenditures
BSCP funding applies to eligible expenditures that are:
- directly linked to the project
- incurred while the funding agreement is in effect
- specifically identified as an approved expenditure in the funding agreement
Eligible expenditures include the following:
- staff wages and benefits
- professional fees
- travel costs
- rental/use of equipment, office materials and/or office/meeting space
- public outreach and communications materials and associated activities costs
- translation costs
- incremental insurance costs
- administrative cost
Ineligible expenditures
Expenditures that are not eligible for funding include:
- costs associated with the construction, placing, maintenance and removal of signs or buoys for a restriction under the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations are the responsibility of the local authority and are not eligible expenditures under the Program
- costs associated with the purchase of assets such as boats, trailers, etc.
- costs associated with the creation, installation, maintenance and distribution of non-recognized, non-enforceable or inaccurate regulatory information and requirements such as “No Wake” signs
- cost of buying land and/or buildings
- any cost associated with provincial Sales Tax, Harmonized Sales Tax and Goods and Services Tax for which the recipient is eligible for a credit or a tax rebate
- costs incurred after the project completion date
Proof of funding
Applicants must demonstrate that they have secured sufficient funding for their proposed project by identifying all sources of funds in their project proposal. Partner organizations’ financial support must be confirmed in writing and attached to the proposal.
Merit selection criteria
The BSCP Selection Review Committee will review all applications to determine if they meet the eligibility assessment criteria. If eligible, the program will then determine the degree to which they meet the following merit assessment criteria:
1. Relevance of the project
| Merit criteria | Characteristics of a strong proposal |
|---|---|
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1.1 The proposed project objective(s) and outcome(s) align and support BSCP objectives
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A strong project proposal will: Clearly indicate the objective(s) of the project and how they align with the objectives of the Boating Safety Contribution Program. |
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1.2 The proposed project demonstrates alignment with key boating safety areas under this call for proposals
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A strong project proposal will: Include clearly defined activities or initiatives, identify a target audience, and demonstrate an intended outcome. |
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1.3 The proposed projects demonstrate alignment with Eligible activities
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A strong project proposal will: Clearly indicate the activities of the project and how they align with the eligible activities of the Boating Safety Contribution Program. |
2: Applicant's relevant experience and capacity
| Merit criteria | Characteristics of a strong proposal |
|---|---|
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2.1 Applicant experience, expertise, structure, financial controls, and support
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A strong project proposal will: Demonstrate that the applicant has the capacity to successfully deliver the project, including:
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3: Project plan and implementation
| Merit criteria | Characteristics of a strong proposal |
|---|---|
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3.1 Clearly stated goals, objectives and outcomes
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A strong project proposal will: Clearly demonstrate:
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3.2 Project work schedule and budget
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A strong project proposal will: Clearly demonstrate:
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3.3 Risk mitigation measures the project risk management plan is complete and provides reasonable mitigation measures |
A strong project proposal will:
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3.4 Performance Measurement Strategy The proposed methodology for measuring results is clearly described. It demonstrates a sound and accurate approach to tracking progress and outcomes, with appropriate tools and indicators to assess reach and effectiveness. |
A strong project proposal will: Clearly identify specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant project results and performance measures, demonstrate how results align with Boating Safety Contribution Program objectives, and indicate the expected reach and impact of the project. |
4. Value for money and proof of financial support
| Merit criteria | Characteristics of a strong proposal |
|---|---|
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4.1 Value for Money / Proof of financial support
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A strong project proposal will: Demonstrate how funds are used efficiently and effectively to achieve the objectives of the Boating Safety Contribution Program. |
5: Additional criteria
| Merit criteria | Characteristics of a strong proposal |
|---|---|
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5.1 Partnerships and Collaboration
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A strong project proposal will: Clearly demonstrate:
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Other criteria
Priority may be given to project proposals that incorporate partnerships and collaboration to leverage shared resources, enhance coordination, reduce duplication, and support broad, meaningful, and sustained impacts on boating safety.
To be considered for prioritization, applications must clearly demonstrate:
- how the project will incorporate partnerships/collaboration to support meaningful delivery and outreach to broaden the impact of the collaboration on the project and results;
- a distribution or engagement plan that uses partners to extend reach and tailor messaging to local needs; and
- confirmed partnerships from organizations, such as letters of support, collaboration agreements, or documented distribution commitments.
Consideration may also be given to overall funding decisions that support geographic reach.
Notification
A notification will be sent to applicants to inform them that their application was either:
- selected for funding
- not selected for funding
TC reserves the right to accept or reject any submitted application.
Project scope and agreement
The applicant’s proposal will form the foundation to define the project scope, mandatory legal documentation, clauses, terms and conditions, performance measurements and payment structure in the formal funding agreement. Once the funding agreement is signed, no change tothe scope of the project (including budget, structure, timelines, etc.) is possible without written agreement between the recipient and Transport Canada.
Note: It is very important to clearly define the scope of the project in the application because the recipient will be responsible for all costs associated with work performed outside the approved scope of a project, without pre-approval from Transport Canada.
How to apply
A funding application is available at the following link: Funding Application Template.
Once completed, the application must be signed by an individual who is authorized by the organization to make the representations included in the application.
Each application must follow the content of the proposal template. This will minimize the possibility of omissions or errors on the part of applicants and facilitate the project evaluation process at Transport Canada.
Submit your application
The deadline for application is September 21, 2026.
The application package must be submitted to bscp-pcsn@tc.gc.ca.
Important information
All project applications must be signed, accurate, comprehensive and completed using the templates provided. Applicants must provide legal documentation confirming the organization as an entity. Missing or incomplete information will slow the processing of the application and may result in its rejection.
We will not accept any funding application submitted after the above noted date.
Applicants may be requested to clarify or provide additional information that Transport Canada deems necessary to assess eligibility and support the evaluation process
Transport Canada will confirm receipt of application packages.