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 2021 – 2022 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 2021-2022 fiscal year:
Please Note: The call for applications and proposals is open on April 15, 2021 and they are due no later than 4:00 pm, May 10, 2021 for all of the funding streams. Please read terms and conditions carefully before applying for a grant.
Prospecting Grants: up to $30K
Prospecting Grants provide up to $30,000 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)
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 $100K (50/50)
- A Shared-Funding Exploration Grant is available to applicants who commit to investing more than $30,000 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 $30,000 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, 2021.
Terms and Conditions
Application Form
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, 2021.
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
Mick O'Neill
MRDF Administrator
Phone: 902 752-4842
mrdf@novascotia.ca