The Government of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the new Mineral Resources Development Fund (MRDF). As of April 6, 2018 applications and proposals are being accepted for the 2018 – 2019 MRDF. The Fund replaces the Nova Scotia Mineral Incentive Program (2012-2017) and is designed to assist prospectors, exploration companies, and researchers in the search for new discoveries, to advance projects closer to production, and to attract investment into the province.

An Advisory Council has been constituted by the Minister of Natural Resources and includes nominees from the mining and prospecting industries, and academia. The Advisory Council will provide non-binding strategic advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Minister of Department of Natural Resources regarding the structure, effectiveness, and continuing and future administration of the MRDF.

Find out more information on the Advisory Council.

Funding Streams

The MRDF has seven funding streams for the 2018-2019 fiscal year:

Please Note: The first call for applications and proposals for all the funding streams is open on April 6 and are due no later than 4:00 pm, May 7, 2018 for some of the funding streams. Future calls for applications and proposals will be posted here. Please read terms and conditions carefully before applying for a grant.

Prospecting and Exploration Grants: Maximum $20K - Supporting exploration on early-stage/grass-roots prospecting and exploration projects

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 7, 2018)
Internal Evaluation 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
• Tier 2: >$20K up to $200K - NI43-101 compliant mineral resource definition, preliminary economic assessment, pre-feasibility or feasibility studies

Terms and Conditions
Application Form and Application Checklist (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 7, 2018)
Internal Evaluation Form

Marketing Grants - Promoting mineral properties at trade shows, organization of provincial mining event

Tier 2 Marketing grants require a written proposal. See Terms and Conditions.

Terms and Conditions
Tier 1 Application Form
Tier 1 Marketing/Promotion Results Form (due one month after the marketing/promotion activity)

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 (due no later than 4:00 pm, May 7, 2018). See Terms and Conditions.

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

Education, Outreach, and Engagement grants require a written proposal. See Terms and Conditions.

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 7, 2018). See Terms and Conditions.

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 7, 2018). See Terms and Conditions.

For more information
Diane Webber, Acting Manager of Geoscience and Information Services
902 424 3053
mrdf@novascotia.ca