archived
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support
Support for Indigenous mining consultation capacity
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
- Archived
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Provides up to $15,000 per year to support Aboriginal communities in responding to advanced exploration and mine development notices. Funding can support staffing, outreach, meetings, travel, administration, and work planning related to mineral development consultations.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
Timeline
- Archived
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Processing and responding to notices about advanced exploration projects.
- Coordinating community review of mine development project notices.
- Participating in regulatory decision-making related to mineral projects.
- Supporting community response planning, site visits, and related consultation activities.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form.
- Proposed work plan.
- Project budget.
- Any supporting information requested in the application form.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Aboriginal communities in Ontario.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations outside Ontario.
- Applicants whose projects are not related to mineral exploration and development.
- Applicants seeking funding for activities already fully funded by other sources.
Eligible expenses
- Staff salary, wages, and employer-related costs.
- Community outreach, meetings, workshops, and presentations.
- Travel, site visits, and honoraria for Elders where not covered by the proponent.
- Administration costs such as rent, utilities, phone, postage, photocopying, and office supplies.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Professional fees, consultants, and technicians for technical expertise.
- Costs already fully funded by other sources.
- Capital asset costs and business development costs.
- Office equipment purchase or rental, legal fees unrelated to reviewing the agreement, and land-claims or litigation research.
- Activities not related to mineral exploration and development or outside the program objectives.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Applicant profile, including existing capacity funding and local exploration activity: 30%
- Stream objectives and proposed work plan: 50%
- Proposed budget and cost reasonableness: 20%
- Risk assessment and financial appraisal are also completed by the ministry.
How to apply
1
Review program guide and consult
- Review the full program stream guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund
- Contact a Transfer Payment Coordinator for any questions
- Consult with a Mineral Exploration and Development Consultant as needed
2
Register on Transfer Payment Ontario
- Create a “ONe-key” account on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON), if not already registered
- Register for TPON at least three weeks before the application deadline
- Ensure registration is completed at the individual level
3
Start and complete application form
- Access and begin completing the application form through the TPON system
- Verify that sections A and B (organization and address information) are correct or request updates if needed
- Fill in contact information for project leads and main contacts
4
Complete project and work plan details
- Describe project objectives and address all requirements in program guidelines
- Detail previous funding received and its impact if applicable
- Explain current consultation capacity and processes
- Complete the comprehensive work plan outlining key activities and timelines
5
Prepare and finalize budget
- Develop a detailed budget aligning with eligible expenses
- List expenses by category and specify all expected costs
- Consult reasonable cost guidelines for compliance
6
Verify and review application
- Ensure all required sections are complete within TPON
- Attach all necessary supporting documentation
- Review the submission against the checklist provided in the program guide
7
Submit the application on TPON
- Submit the completed application and all attachments via Transfer Payment Ontario
- Ensure a confirmation email is received after submission
- Retain confirmation for your records
8
Await results from the ministry
- Await evaluation of your application by the ministry's review panel
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a panel of internal ministry reviewers.
- The ministry also completes a risk assessment and financial appraisal.
- Funding decisions are made at the ministry’s discretion and are not guaranteed.
- Successful applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement before funding is released.
- The ministry may verify or audit submitted information and can recover funds if they are not used as intended.
Additional information
- Applicants should consult a Mineral Exploration and Development Consultant before applying.
- First-time TPON users must register a ONe-key account at least three weeks before the deadline.
- The application confirmation is sent by email after submission.
- Funding is subject to the ministry’s discretion and available funds.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support Program
What is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support?
Provides up to $15,000 per year to support Aboriginal communities in responding to advanced exploration and mine development notices. Funding can support staffing, outreach, meetings, travel, administration, and work planning related to mineral development consultations.
How much funding can be received?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support program?
To be eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support program, you must:
Aboriginal community in Ontario
Located in a high mineral activity area
Supports response to mining notices
What expenses are eligible under Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support?
Processing and responding to notices about advanced exploration projects.
Coordinating community review of mine development project notices.
Participating in regulatory decision-making related to mineral projects.
Supporting community response planning, site visits, and related consultation activities.
Who can I contact for more information about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at aboriginalparticipationfund@ontario.ca or by phone at (705) 670-5826.
Where is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support available?
The Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support is a Grant and Funding