About this Program
The Environmental Contaminants Program (ECP) is a funding opportunity that supports BC First Nation community-based research projects that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants. The program is intended to:
- help communities address their environmental health concerns and support capacity development
- encourage community-based study of environmental health issues by integrating Traditional knowledge and Western science
- support First Nation community autonomy over research methodologies and practices
- recognize that wellness is influenced by environmental, social, cultural and economic factors, and that Nations, family, community and land all play a part in our health
Environmental Contaminants Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
Exposure to Contaminants
People may be exposed to many sources of naturally occurring and human-made environmental contaminants.
At certain levels, exposure to contaminants in air, water, food and soil can cause or contribute to a variety of adverse health effects.
Exposure to environmental contaminants affects health and wellness directly and indirectly. The interconnectedness of First Nations to the land, water and air make many First Nations in BC more susceptible to environmental impacts on health and wellness.
How to ApplyThe ECP is currently not accepting any more expressions of interest (EOIs) for projects. Interested applicants can check back in January 2026, when the program will reopen to accept EOIs for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
All BC First Nation communities are eligible to apply. Successful recipients are able to receive funding from the program once per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
Qualifying projects will:
- Be driven by the community and increase community capacity
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Integrate Traditional and local knowledge with Western science
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Focus on the link between environmental contaminants and human exposure
Before submitting an EOI, we recommend you
read through our Guidelines for Proposals and consider the following questions:
- What are the health concerns related to environmental contaminants that are affecting your community or region?
- Who in the community is impacted?
- What is needed to reduce environmental contaminant impacts on health in the community?
- What assets available in your community could help assess and/or address the concerns?
Consultation of a variety of community members to reveal whether they are concerned about environmental contaminants and their potential impact on their health and wellbeing may be necessary.
Once you have an understanding of your topic and methodology, we invite you to complete an EOI form, which can be acquired by emailing
environmental.health@fnha.ca.
Feedback will be provided on your EOI within 2 weeks of submission. EOIs will be accepted until available funding has been allocated. Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a proposal application that builds on the EOI to include a project work plan, budget, team, and a letter of support from the community. The ECP Applicant’s Guide, which includes a proposal template, will be provided to you at this time.
Please note: Given limited funding available, EOIs will be reviewed with preference given to communities that have not received ECP funding in the previous year.
Contact Us
For more information on the Environmental Contaminants Program, please contact:
Environmental Contaminants Program Coordinator
Environmental Public Health Services
First Nations Health Authority
