The Government of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that as of April 9, 2019 applications and proposals are being accepted for the 2019 – 2020 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 2019-2020 fiscal year:
Please Note: The first call for applications and proposals is open on April 9, 2019 and they are due no later than 4:00 pm, May 6, 2019 for some of the funding streams. Applications and proposals will be accepted throughout the fiscal year for some of the funding streams. Please read terms and conditions carefully before applying for a grant. Future calls for applications and proposals will be posted here.

Prospecting and Exploration Grants: Maximum $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)

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 6, 2019)
Internal Evaluation Form
Prospecting Grant Expense Form

Shared Funding Exploration Grants: >$20K up to $200K (50/50)

• Tier 1: >$20K 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: >$20K 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)

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 6, 2019)
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 April 9, 2019.

Terms and Conditions
Tier 1 Application Form
Tier 1 Marketing/Promotion Results Form (due one month after the marketing/promotion activity)
Tier 1 Internal Evaluation Form
Tier 2 Internal Evaluation Form
Tier 2 Marketing grants require a written proposal.

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.

First call for proposals: April 9, 2019 due no later than 4:00 pm on May 6, 2019

Second call for proposals: September 9, 2019 due no later than 4:00 pm on October 7, 2019

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 9, 2019.

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

Terms and Conditions
Internal Evaluation Form

Innovation Grants: Maximum $200K - 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 (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 6, 2019).

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 (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 6, 2019).

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.

Click here for 2018 – 2019 grant recipients.

For more information
Jonathan Bonaparte,
MRDF Administrator
Phone: 902 424-8157
mrdf@novascotia.ca