Current funding opportunities

The CNSC is making funding available through the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF) to assist Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and non-governmental organizations to participate in reviewing and submitting comments on a discussion paper about Bill C-21’s proposed security-related changes to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA). The discussion paper will be available on the CNSC’s online consultation platform, Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety, in winter 2024 (expected January–February 2024).

Bill C-21 would amend the NSCA to:

1. permit nuclear facility licensees to acquire, possess, transfer and dispose of firearms, prohibited weapons and prohibited devices used to safeguard high-security nuclear facilities (these are already deployed at licensee facilities, but currently owned by the government of Canada)  
2. give security personnel the authority to carry out limited peace officer functions at nuclear facilities (e.g., geographically limited authority within the site boundaries of a particular facility/limited powers deemed necessary to maintain site safety and security)

The discussion paper provides an overview of how the CNSC would operationalize the changes to the NSCA.  This will include the anticipated:

• legal mechanisms to permit licensees to obtain the weapons and devices required to safeguard high-security nuclear facilities
• reporting requirements for firearm, weapon and device acquisitions, transfers, disposals and discharges
• criteria and the application process for nuclear security officers to be designated a peace officer
• duties of nuclear security officers acting as peace officers
• complaints review (investigation) process with respect to the conduct of designated peace officers that is not related to the Criminal Code
• appeals process for rejected peace officer applications and for revocation of peace officer designations

Who can apply

The following are eligible to apply for funding:

• Indigenous Nations and communities, including Indigenous organizations or an aggregate of communities
• Stakeholders including non-governmental organizations, members of the public, and other organizations with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada

The CNSC will consider applicants who meet the program’s eligible recipient, activity and expense (cost) requirements.

Assessment criteria

The CNSC will consider several factors in its decision when assessing funding applications:

• Capacity-building priorities, needs and interests identified by the CNSC through direct engagement and communication with Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders
• Relevance of the application to the CNSC’s mandate, the ISCF’s goals and objectives, and the specific funding opportunity
• The complexity of the activity or subject matter and associated resource requirements
• Any pre-established maximum funding allocations in relation to the specific funding opportunity or activity
• The applicant’s previous experience with grant or contribution funding agreements with the CNSC, if applicable
• Potential interest among Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders, and the number of funding recipients that can be expected, if applicable
• Total funding available

Funding allocation

• Maximum of $10,000 for Indigenous Nations and communities, non-governmental organizations or other organizations
• Maximum of $15,000 for Indigenous organizations representing multiple Indigenous Nations and communities

The amount of funding per successful applicant will depend on the complexity and associated resource requirements of the activity proposed, and the availability of funds.

How to apply

To apply for funding, complete the application form and send it to the ISCF mailbox.

Application deadline

To be considered, applications must be received by 11:59 pm EDT, November 6, 2023 .

For more information

Additional information about the ISCF, including information on how to complete your application form, can be found in the application guide.

If you have any questions about the application form or about this funding opportunity, please send a message to the ISCF mailbox.

Apply now