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 2020 – 2021 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.
Funding Streams
The MRDF has seven funding streams for the 2020-2021 fiscal year:
Please Note: The call for applications and proposals is open on March 18, 2020 and they are due no later than 4:00 pm, April 15, 2020 for all of the funding streams. Please read terms and conditions carefully before applying for a grant.
Prospecting and Exploration Grants: $20K up to $30K
- Tier 1: up to $20K - Supporting exploration on early-stage/grass-roots prospecting and exploration projects (additional funds up to a maximum of $5000 are available to support post-secondary student employment – see application)
Tier 1 Expense Form - Tier 2: >$20K up to $30K - More advanced exploration projects where drilling may be required.
Tier 2 Expense Form - Tier 3: >$20K up to $30K - More advanced exploration projects where airborne geophysical surveys may be required.
Tier 3 Expense Form
Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (DOC)
Application Form and Application Checklist (PDF)
Internal Evaluation Form
Shared Funding Exploration Grants: >$30K up to $200K (50/50)
- Tier 1: >$30K up to $100K - Exploration projects that are more advanced than grass-roots exploration (additional funds are available to support post-secondary student employment – see application)
- Tier 2: >$30K up to $200K - NI43-101 compliant mineral resource definition, preliminary economic assessment, pre-feasibility or feasibility studies (additional funds are available to support post-secondary student employment – see application)
Application Form and Application Checklist (DOC)
Application Form and Application Checklist (PDF)
Internal Evaluation Form
Marketing Grants:
- Tier 1 - Promoting mineral properties at trade shows
- Tier 2 - Organization of provincial mining event
Applications and proposals for Tier 1 and Tier 2 marketing grants will be accepted throughout the fiscal year starting on March 18, 2020.
Terms and Conditions
Tier 1 Application Form
Tier 2 Internal 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 March 18, 2020.
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
Major Project Grants: Maximum $500K or higher if required - Regional surveys on regional exploration targets: airborne geophysical, geochemical, remote sensing, regional data compilation, equipment purchases
Major Projects 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
Jonathan Bonaparte,
MRDF Administrator
Phone: 902 424-8157
mrdf@novascotia.ca