Built heritage program

Funding for projects that conserve heritage places while preserving their unique value, including heritage buildings, structures and landscapes.

The deadline to submit a completed application for the Built Heritage Program is April 1 or September 7. 

The program has two components:

Component A

Provides funding for conservation related services and expertise, such as specialized design and engineering. The program may contribute up to 75 per cent of costs to a maximum of $7,500 per project.

Component B

Provides funding for conservation related capital expenditures such as repairs and renovations deemed necessary for preservation, repair and restoration. The program may contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $50,000 per project. 

Projects requesting $30,000 or more must designate a project manager. If the designated project manager is not an employee of your organization, up to 10% of the approved funding may be used to cover their cost. See 'Definitions' for further details.

Only one type of component funding will be awarded to a property per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). If an eligible applicant owns more than one heritage property, no more than two properties will be considered for funding per fiscal year.

Eligible organizations

• incorporated not-for-profit organizations
• local governments if the place is a publicly accessible heritage place and administered by an appointed not-for-profit custodial group or committee
• New Brunswick based
• does not have any outstanding Built Heritage Program or Community Cultural Places Final Reports

Note: villages, towns, city halls or equivalent are not eligible for program funding. 

Eligible projects

To be eligible, built heritage conservation projects must be owned or subject to a long-term lease agreement by an eligible applicant and located in an area designated as one of the following: 

• provincial heritage place
• municipal heritage conservation
• local historic place

Or

• a place with significant community heritage value; the applicant will be responsible for demonstrating heritage value by providing documentary evidence such as historical documents, historical and technical reports, oral histories, interviews with individuals or organizations connected to the site, etc.

Ineligible projects

• projects initiated before the submission of a grant application or approval
• projects that negatively impact or remove the heritage value of a place
• places of active religious worship (e.g., consecrated churches)
• cemetery restorations
• commercial buildings (e.g., bed and breakfasts)

Proposed project locations with the following designations might require permits: 

• Provincial Heritage Place (from the department if a character-defining element is altered or affected)
• Municipal Heritage Conservation Area or part thereof or Local Historic Place (see local bylaws for more information)
• some project locations might require archaeological investigations if ground-breaking activities are proposed as part of the project

Projects are funded for one fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) and funding not used within the fiscal year will not be carried over to the next year; the applicant must reapply.

All projects must have a defined start and end date (no later than January 31); the department must be informed if these dates need to be adjusted after funding is approved.

Applications submitted to this program are evaluated according to objectives and criteria. Applicants must familiarize themselves with the Definitions prior to submission. This will ensure that they understand both the submission requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Fill out the application form (PDF 2.1 MB), ensure it is signed by someone with signing authority, and send it and all supporting documents to [email protected].

• the program provides funding as reimbursement, and for funding to be disbursed, all project work must be completed by January 31 and a final report (PDF 1.78 MB) submitted by March 14
• for funding to be disbursed, the scope of work identified in the approved project application must correspond with that described in the Final Report; the work must also have been undertaken in a manner consistent with the conservation principles of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada or a method approved by the department
• the financial contribution of the Government of New Brunswick must be acknowledged in a social media announcement or equivalent. A copy of this acknowledgment is to be included in the Final Report
• any promotional initiatives (i.e., news releases, publicity, promotional material, etc.) being undertaken must also include an acknowledgment of the financial contribution of the Government of New Brunswick. Copies of these acknowledgments must be included in the Final Report
• a copy of the signed contract with the contractor (or equivalent) for the undertaking of the work for which funding is being provided must be submitted within 30 days of receipt of the grant approval letter from the department
• if you are unable to complete the project by January 31, please notify the department as soon as possible
• if the project is expected to take more than one month, monthly status updates are to be provided to [email protected]
• applicants approved during the April 1 intake will be required to confirm, in their August status update, whether their projects are on track for completion before January 31 of next year

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is subject to the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Applicants must accept and agree that, if they receive a grant, their name, community and the grant amount will be published on the provincial government website and in the department’s annual report.