Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund
Forecasted
Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund supports organizations and researchers pursuing new projects, research and collaboration to improve Canada's search and rescue response and prevention.
Funder: Public Safety Canada
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to 95% of total project costs; maximum project duration of 36 months
Summary: Supports new initiatives and research that improve Canada's search and rescue system at regional and national levels.
Key Information: Applicants must confirm at least 5% of project costs from sources other than Public Safety Canada before applying.
Description
Public Safety Canada's Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) supports new initiatives that improve Canada's national search and rescue system. Projects must address at least one annual priority, with an emphasis on work that supports or can scale to a national level. Regional projects may also receive funding when they involve partners or organizations from different jurisdictions. Projects that only establish local core capacity are not eligible.
The program can support search and rescue research by recognized academic institutions or other groups. Research proposals must explain how findings will be shared with the broader search and rescue community and improve response or prevention. Equipment-related proposals must demonstrate improvements through interagency collaboration or new technology, rather than simply supplying basic operational equipment. Projects must be new initiatives, not repetitions of work already completed successfully.
