Skip to content

Notifications

Government mail service may be affected by the Canada Post labour disruption. Learn about how critical government mail will be handled.

Popular topics:

Alberta.ca Account
Part of Emergency responders

Fire services training grant

The Fire Services Training Program (FSTP) Grant provides funding to support the enhancement of regional fire services.

Important dates

  • Application deadline: September 30, 2025 (Now closed)
  • Applicants notified and funds disbursed: March to April 2026
  • Last day for extension/course change requests: April 1, 2027
  • Last day for courses to be delivered: May 31, 2027
  • Final reporting documents and any unspent funds due: July 31, 2027

Overview

The FSTP Grant provides funding to assist communities in ensuring their local fire services are adequately trained to respond safely and effectively to identified community risks.

Key outcomes of the program include:

  • preserving public safety in Alberta
  • ensuring local authorities are effectively managing community risks
  • ensuring fire fighters are able to receive training in alignment with best practices

For more information, read the Fire Services Training Program 2026 Grant Guidelines.

Funding

The FSTP grant is meant to supplement training costs. Organizations may only receive a portion of the requested grant amount and are expected to fund the difference in the training costs. 

  • In 2026, the FSTP has $500,000 in total grant funding to distribute to successful applicant organizations.
  • The grant amount awarded to each successful recipient is dependent on the relative scoring of approved applications and the total number of applications received. 
  • Successful applicants will receive a lump-sum payment as part of a Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA) signed between the minister and the organization.

Eligibility

To learn what organizations are eligible for this program and other eligibility requirements, please see the details below.

  • Who can apply

    Applicant must represent one of the following:

    • Alberta municipalities, including municipal corporations and regional services commissions
    • Metis Settlements in Alberta
    • First Nations communities in Alberta
    • partnerships of the above or partnerships with a municipality as the primary applicant

  • Ineligible entities

    • individuals
    • for-profit business or corporations
    • applicants with overdue FSTP Grant requirements from a previous year

  • Eligible costs

    Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

    • fire services course fees (note: non-National Fire Protection Association and specialized courses require documentation from the training company that details the training plan and course content for approval consideration.)
    • cost of facility rental for the purposes of offering training
    • training materials
    • instructor expenses
    • reasonable costs for student travel and meals
    • in-house instructor fees (Note: funds are not intended to subsidize an employee’s full-time salary, but may be paid to volunteers as contractors.)

  • Ineligible costs

    Ineligible costs include:

    • capital or equipment purchases, repairs, upgrading or maintenance
    • wages, stipends, or honoraria for students and/or reimbursement for full time wages (Note: reasonable costs for student travel and meals are eligible. Contact the grant and contract administrator if you have questions.)
    • training delivered outside Alberta
    • Incident Command System courses
    • training completed prior to receiving minister approval
    • rental of owned classrooms and equipment

How to apply

The application intake period for this grant is currently closed.

During open application periods, follow these steps to apply. Note, applications submitted outside the intake period will not be accepted.

  • Step 1: Read the guidelines

  • Step 2: Complete the application package

  • Step 3: Submit the application package

    • To help ensure your application is properly received, email your completed application using a "new" email with a subject line of “FSTP Grant Application 2026”.
    • Upon submission, you will receive an email from Municipal Affairs with 72 hours verifying your application has been received.
    • If you do not receive a verification email within 72 hours email or telephone us at the contact information provided below.

    Application period for the 2026 grant closed September 30, 2025.

    Email or mail the completed and signed application, along with your budget and supporting documents, to:

    Grant and contract administrator
    Technical and Corporate Services Division
    Municipal Affairs
    16th Floor, Commerce Place
    10155 102 Street NW
    Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4
    Email: [email protected]

Application evaluation

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with strategic focus of the training

    • Training aligns with the specific needs of the community and its identified fire risks or its community risk assessment.

  • Quality of the training

    • Training is based on industry best practices or curriculum.
    • Instructors and evaluators are qualified and experienced.

  • Overall completeness of the application

    • Training application information is legible and provides information necessary to fully assess eligibility.

Successful applicants

All applications are evaluated after the application deadline has closed. Letters are issued to all applicants notifying them of funding decisions.

Lists of successful grant recipients - most recent and previous years

Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA)

Successful recipients are required to sign the CGA to receive funds. Training cannot start until after the minister (or their delegated representative) signs the CGA.

The terms of the agreement include:

  • the use of the grant for approved purposes only
  • eligibility
  • reporting and accountability requirements
  • the minister’s right to audit any project
  • the minister’s right to require a refund of any grant funds not used in accordance with the agreement

The minister’s decisions regarding grant funding are final.

First Nations applicants

First Nations must submit a Band Council Resolution along with the signed CGA.

Reporting requirements

The reporting document is provided to successful applicants. Grant recipients must submit documentation to demonstrate that:

  • the total grant received was used in accordance with the CGA
  • receipts and invoices were provided and paid
  • the training provided matches the information provided in the application
  • the municipality or First Nation did not use any portion of the grant to carry out training before the original CGA was signed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs (or their designated representative)
  • course(s) were completed by May 31, 2027, or by the completion date as stated in an amended CGA

Extensions and change requests

Extension or course change requests, including any material changes to the training plan, schedule or budget approved under this grant will require notification to and approval by, Municipal Affairs.

Any material changes to the training plan, schedule or budget approved under this grant will require notification to, and approval by, Municipal Affairs.

Contact

Connect with the grant and contract administrator if you have any questions about the program or guidelines:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-866-421-6929
Email: [email protected]