Deadline Date: June 26, 2026
The Ontario Junior Exploration Program is accepting applications to support grassroots mineral exploration by helping prospectors and junior mining companies reduce exploration risk and advance mineral development projects across Ontario.
The program focuses on grassroots mineral exploration, critical minerals development, Indigenous participation, early-stage project support, responsible mineral investment and strengthening Ontario’s mining sector competitiveness.
For the 2026-27 intake, OJEP is providing $10 million in funding, including $4 million dedicated to critical minerals projects. Under the Prospectors Stream, eligible prospectors can receive up to $50,000 per project, while junior mining companies can access up to $200,000 per exploration project. Approved projects may also qualify for an additional $15,000 to support Indigenous Participation. This brings the total potential funding to up to $65,000 per project for prospectors and up to $215,000 per project for junior mining companies.
Additional eligibility requirements for the Prospectors Stream include holding an Ontario prospector’s license for at least one year before applying, ensuring claims are in good standing with approved first-year assessment work, maintaining at least a 25% interest in the claim where eligible activities will take place and applying for only one project per intake period. Prospectors applying for funding must not be associated with a junior mining company for claims receiving OJEP funding. They may also claim a daily labour rate of up to $350 unless labour costs are submitted through eligible invoiced expenses.
For more information, visit Ontario.
