Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: Program details

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaption Fund (DMAF) is a national, competitive, and merit-based contribution program intended to support public infrastructure projects designed to mitigate current and future climate-related risks and disasters triggered by climate change, such as floods, wildland fires, droughts and seismic events.

What types of projects does the DMAF fund?

Eligible infrastructure projects under the DMAF include new construction of public infrastructure and/or modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure including natural infrastructure that prevent, mitigate or protect against the impacts of climate change, disasters triggered by natural hazards, and extreme weather.

Projects must have a minimum of $1M in total eligible costs to be considered for funding.

Who can apply?

Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants are:

• A province or territory; or a municipal or regional government established by – or under –provincial or territorial statute;
• A public sector body that is established by – or under – provincial or territorial statute or by regulation; or is wholly-owned by a province, territory, municipal or regional government;
• When working in collaboration with a municipality, a Canadian public or not-for-profit institution that is authorized, under the terms of a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal statute; or Royal Charter, to deliver post-secondary courses or programs that lead to recognized and transferable post-secondary credentials.
• A private sector body, including for-profit organizations and not-for-profit organizations. In the case of for-profit organizations, they will need to work in collaboration with one or more of the entities referred to above or an Indigenous Recipient listed below.

Eligible Indigenous Applicants, include:

• An Indigenous governing body* including, but not limited to:
• A band council within the meaning of Section 2 of the Indian Act;
• A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government or authority established pursuant to a Self-Government Agreement or a Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada and an Indigenous Peoples of Canada, that has been approved, given effect and declared valid by federal legislation; or
• A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government that is established by or under legislation whether federal, provincial or territorial legislation that incorporates a governance structure.
• An Indigenous Development Corporation**; and
• A not-for-profit organization whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes

*"Indigenous governing body" means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, community or people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. Indigenous peoples of Canada has the meaning assigned by the definition Aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.

**Indigenous Development Corporations are normally set-up by an Indigenous community organization/government. These corporations constitute the business/economic arm of Indigenous communities/governments and typically count the members of the community as their shareholders. Their primary role is to develop the economic activity of the Indigenous community that established them. Indigenous development corporations generally fall under two categories: for-profit and not-for-profit. The for-profit model however is unique in that profits are then re-invested in the community.

Ineligible Applicants

Federal entities, including federal Crown corporations, are not eligible for funding.

What types of projects are eligible?

To be considered eligible, projects must be aimed at reducing the socio-economic, environmental and cultural impacts triggered by natural hazards and extreme weather events taking into consideration current and potential future impacts of climate change in communities and infrastructure at high risk.

Natural hazard and extreme weather events include but are not limited to:

For additional details on minimum eligibility requirements, eligible expenditures, and maximum "up to" federal contributions, please consult the Applicant Guide (1.64 MB) .

How are projects assessed?

The DMAF is a national, competitive, and merit-based contribution program.

All eligible projects will be evaluated against the following merit criteria:

MERIT CRITERIA	ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
Natural hazard risk	Assessment is based on natural hazard risk, including the likelihood, exposure, vulnerability and impacts on: health and safety; critical infrastructure, including interruptions to essential services; and economic activity. Strong proposals will include risk assessments that apply recognized methodologies and reliable data sources, both quantitative and qualitative.
Extent to which the project strengthens community resilience	Assessment is based on the risk reduction, particularly in the context of climate change on: health and safety; critical infrastructure, including interruptions to essential services; and economic activity. Strong proposals will include an overall risk reduction or will significantly reduce impacts after project completion for the event presented in the natural hazard risk assessment.
Return on Investment (ROI)	Assessment is based on the project's expected ROI. Strong proposals will demonstrate the capacity of the asset to decrease or avoid future natural disaster losses.
Project Rationale	Assessment is based on the rationale for the selection of the proposed project to mitigate or avoid future natural disaster losses. Strong proposals will include details on all of the options considered to mitigate or to adapt to the identified natural hazard risk. The rationale for selecting the chosen project as the best solution to mitigate the risk will be evaluated.
Promote the use of innovation including natural infrastructure	Assessment is based on a project's capacity to provide innovative solutions and technology, including through the use of natural infrastructure, that result in better ways to manage increasing risks including those related to climate change. Strong proposals will consider innovative solutions, including natural infrastructure, and innovative approaches to better deliver the project.
Project hazard risk transfer management measures	Assessment is based on how the proposed project not only addresses the mitigation and adaptation of identified risks in the immediate area of the project, but also ensures that the risks are not transferred to a neighbouring area or community. Strong proposals will be supported by an effective risk transfer management strategy and procedures.
Alignment with relevant plans, strategies and frameworks	Assessment is based on how the project aligns with relevant plans, strategies and frameworks. Strong proposals will align with approved national and provincial/territorial/municipal adaptation and mitigation plans, strategies, frameworks, policies, related asset management plans and land-use plans.
Project Co-Benefits	Assessment is based on the project's additional co-benefits. Strong proposals will offer infrastructure solutions that provide additional benefits to the community such as addressing multiple hazards, providing environmental value and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction, protecting valuable cultural assets, offering sports or recreational value, and/or offering employment opportunities.

*Important timelines

A new intake is open as of January 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM EDT and will close on July 19, 2023 at 3:00 PM EDT. Projects must have a minimum of $1M in total eligible costs to be considered for funding.