Ontario Junior Exploration Program
Also known as: OJEP
OJEP cost-shares early and grassroots mineral exploration in Ontario, up to $200,000 per project (typically 50% of costs) plus up to $15,000 for Indigenous-participation activities, with a critical-minerals stream and a prospector stream. Intake runs in annual windows announced per fiscal year; the current 2026-27 round status should be confirmed on ontario.ca.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $200,000 Per project + up to $15K for Indigenous-participation activities
Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.
ontario.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- Instrument
- Conditional contribution
- Status
- Status unconfirmed confirm with funder
- Built for
- Small business, expansion
When can you apply?
| Cycle | Opens | Closes | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OJEP 2026-27 Annual window announced per fiscal year; current round status not confirmed at research time. |
- | - | Status unconfirmed | ontario.ca · Unconfirmed since Aug 16, 2026 · Uncertain: confirm with funder |
Where else could this money come from?
Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.
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Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
Intake closed same funder (Ontario Ministry of Mines); both for small business, expansion; mining — Up to $500,000
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: