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Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Advanced exploration and development support

Support for Indigenous mining consultation capacity

Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca

Record updated

Funding available
$ 15,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Aboriginal communities in Ontario.
See full eligibility

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.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$15,000
Financing goals
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
All legal structures

Archived

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Grant changed: scope and target audience, eligibility

Changed: scope and target audience, eligibility, funding terms.

See more

We detected changes to scope and target audience, eligibility, funding terms, application process, timeline and deadlines, contact or portal details.

Official source: ontario.ca
March 28, 2026

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

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.

How to apply

  • Step 1: Review the program guide
    • Read the full APF stream guide before starting.
    • Discuss the program with a ministry Mineral Exploration and Development Consultant.
  • Step 2: Register in TPON
    • Create a ONe-key account if you are a first-time user.
    • Register for Transfer Payment Ontario at least three weeks before the deadline.
  • Step 3: Prepare the application
    • Complete the online form.
    • Prepare the project objectives, work plan, and budget information.
  • Step 4: Submit online
    • Submit the application through Transfer Payment Ontario.
    • Save the confirmation email after submission.

Documents Needed

  • Completed application form.
  • Proposed work plan.
  • Project budget.
  • Any supporting information requested in the application form.

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.

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

aboriginalparticipationfund@ontario.ca
(705) 670-5826

Official sources

ontario.ca
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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?

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.

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