Drought and Flood Protection Program

Important dates

Program applications for funding in 2026-27 are now closed. Applications for 2027-28 funding will be available here in fall 2026.

About the program

The Drought and Flood Protection Program (DFPP) is a multi-year grant program to help municipalities and Indigenous communities improve their long-term resilience to drought and floods events.

The program will help fund the design and construction of projects that protect critical infrastructure from flooding and drought and help to ensure public safety is protected.

Budget 2024 allocated $25 million per year from 2024-25 through 2028-29 for the DFPP.

See the list of approved grants and project details from previous funding cycles in the Drought and Flood Protection Program Grant approvals.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Municipalities, improvement districts, special areas, regional service commissions, Metis Settlements, First Nations and Tribal Councils are all eligible to apply for program funding.

Eligible projects

Projects eligible for program funding include, but not limited to:

• Drought and flood proofing or relocation of critical infrastructure, such as water, wastewater and stormwater works, and infrastructure used to access those services (including roads and transportation corridors, commercial and residential areas).
• Structural measures, such as berms, flood walls, bank protection and stabilization works, retention ponds and diversion structures intended to protect critical infrastructure and ensure public safety.
• Purchase of property for the purpose of relocation or for access to and/or construction of a project.
• Bio-retention infrastructure designed to increase flood attenuation and reduce the impacts of drought.

Applications for ‘shovel ready’ projects are strongly encouraged, but all projects that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered for funding.

Funding details

A funding cap of $10 million per project is in place to ensure the program is able to support multiple projects each year. There is no minimum funding requirement for applications to the DFPP.

All approved projects will be cost-shared, with the Alberta’s government covering up to 70% of total eligible costs and the grant recipient(s) covering the remaining 30%.

Regulatory requirements

Approval under DFPP is only a commitment to fund the project and does not equal approval to construct. All required regulatory authorizations must be secured prior to commencing construction.

Authorizations under the Water Act and Public Lands Act are the primary regulatory requirements for most projects. Projects may also require authorization from other agencies.

How to apply

Review the program overview and application guidelines or email the Drought and Flood Protection Program to learn more about the application process and to ensure project eligibility.

Application period

Program applications open annually in the fall. An updated application form will be available once the next intake period opens. 

• DFPP overview and application guidelines
• DFPP funding application form
• Community Resilience and Mitigation Assessment

Where to submit

Completed applications can be submitted by email to the Drought and Flood Protection Program.

After you apply

Resources for grant recipients

• Public health guidelines for water reuse and stormwater use

Interim reporting

• Interim report template
• Statement of funding and expenditures
• Statement of funding and expenditures – multiple grants
• Interim expenditures and disbursements summary

Final reporting

• Final Report Template
• Final Grant Reporting Requirements
• Final Statement of Funding and Expenditures
• Final Statement of Funding and Expenditures – Multiple Grants
• Final Expenditures and Disbursements Summary
• Mitigation Infrastructure Tracking System (MiST) Form
• Final Reporting Feedback 

Contact

Connect with the Drought and Flood Protection Program for more information:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Toll free: 310-3773 (in Alberta)
Toll free in Canada: 1-877-944-0313
International: 780-944-0313
Email: [email protected]