ABOUT THE MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) PROGRAM
The Minister’s Special Licence (MSL) auction permits are a true success story for conservation in Alberta, having generated over $8.2 million (USD) that supports Alberta’s wildlife and habitat. Multiple conservation organizations, post-secondary institutions, and dedicated researchers have put their time and resources into the program over the past 30 years.
The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS) became the administrator of the auctioned permits in 2022, with resident draws remaining under the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA). For more on the Alberta resident MSL draws, please visit mywildalberta.ca.
MSLA GRANTS
Funds generated through the auctioned special licences are distributed through Minister’s Special Licence Auction (MSLA) Grants, which are reviewed by the multi-stakeholder MSLA Grants Adjudication Committee which includes representatives from the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), Alberta Wildlife Federation (AWF), Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Association (AHEIA), APOS, Alberta Trappers Association (ATA), Safari Club International (SCI) Canada, Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta (WSFAB), as well as Indigenous and post-secondary representatives, several public at large members, and the Government of Alberta.
The MSLA Grants Adjudication Committee is seeking projects based in Alberta that contribute to:
- Enhancing and sustaining wildlife populations and their habitats,
- Addressing identified knowledge gaps concerning wildlife populations and their habitats,
- Generating information that has practical applications for wildlife management, and/or
- Applying innovative approaches to increase the efficacy of wildlife management.
Guidelines with further details on the framework for review and grantee/project eligibility are available HERE.
Camps, hunter training, and community-oriented projects are no longer eligible under the MSLA. Five percent (5%) of the annual net proceeds of the MSLA are dedicated to the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)’s Conservation, Community, Education Grants
2026-27 MSLA GRANT RECIPIENTS (show)MSLA Grant recipients and projects in other years may be viewed HERE.
FORMS
Intake for the 2027-2028 program year is now open. Both the APPLICATION form and BUDGET form are required as a part of the application. The deadline for applications is 11:59PM on Thursday, December 10, 2026 - no exceptions will be made.
If you have questions, please call 780-414-0249 or email grants@apos.ab.ca.