Nova Scotia Mineral Resources Development Fund (MRDF)

The Government of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that applications and proposals are being accepted for the 2022 – 2023 Mineral Resources Development Fund (MRDF). The Fund is designed to assist prospectors, exploration companies, and researchers, employ post-secondary students, and support projects in the mining sector that attract investment and grow Nova Scotia's economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas.

This year's MRDF program will have a newly-introduced focus on critical minerals. Critical minerals are vital inputs for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and are used in an array of clean technology applications such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines. Nova Scotia is currently developing its critical minerals list and subsequent strategy to be released this year.

The mandate of the MRDF is to support high quality projects. The evaluation of the 2022-23 proposals and applications will continue to support this mandate, however proposals and applications focusing on critical minerals will be prioritized over those for other commodities. For this purpose, please refer to Canada's Critical Minerals List, where all 30 minerals (not uranium) will be considered as priority for the MRDF this year.

Funding Streams

The MRDF has six funding streams for the 2022-2023 fiscal year:

Please Note: The call for applications and proposals is open starting April 21, 2022 and they are due no later than 4:00 pm, May 16, 2022 for all of the funding streams. Please read the newly updated terms and conditions carefully before applying for a grant.

Prospecting Grants: up to $40K

Prospecting Grants provide up to $40,000 of support and are intended to help explorers carry out grass-roots exploration activities and find economical mineral resources in Nova Scotia (additional funds up to a maximum of $5000 are available to support post-secondary student employment – see application)

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (DOC)
Application Form and Application Checklist (PDF)
Internal Evaluation Form

Final Report Expense Form (Required with Final Report)

Shared Funding Exploration Grants: >$40K up to $100K (50/50)

  • A Shared-Funding Exploration Grant is available to applicants who commit to investing more than $40,000 in a mineral exploration program in Nova Scotia. The Grant will match or partially match the applicant's exploration investments and will provide awards between $40,000 and $100,000 for eligible expenses (additional funds are available to support post-secondary student employment – see application).

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (DOC)
Application Form and Application Checklist (PDF)
Internal Evaluation Form

Marketing Grants:

  • Marketing grants are available for promoting mineral properties at trade shows.

Applications and proposals for marketing grants will be accepted throughout the fiscal year starting on April 1, 2022.

Terms and Conditions
Application Form (DOC)
Evaluation Form

Post-Secondary Research Grants: Maximum $90K - Metallurgy study research, market/commodity research and university- or college-based research on Nova Scotia mineral occurrences/deposits

Research grants require a written proposal.

Terms and Conditions
Internal Evaluation Form

Education, Outreach, and Engagement Grants: Maximum $50K - Projects intended to educate and build public confidence/awareness in the mineral industry, prospector support and training, capacity building, indigenous and student education and training

Proposals for Education, Outreach, and Engagement grants will be accepted throughout the fiscal year starting on April 1, 2022.

Education, Outreach, and Engagement grants require a written proposal.

Terms and Conditions
Internal Evaluation Form

Innovation Grants: Maximum $100K - Innovation focused on new uses for minerals, mineral process, data processing/GIS tools, exploration tools, mining methods, and mine reclamation studies focused on mineral extraction and remediation

Innovation grants require a written proposal

Terms and Conditions
Internal Evaluation Form

An Advisory Council consisting of nominees from the mining and prospecting industries, and academia provides non-binding strategic advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Minister of Department of Energy and Mines regarding the structure, effectiveness, and continuing and future administration of the MRDF.

Find out more information on the Advisory Council.

For more information
Brianna McPhee
MRDF Administrator
Phone: 902-719-5023
mrdf@novascotia.ca