Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support
Support for Indigenous consultation capacity
Latest source updateLast Update: April 15, 2026Latest change: The application deadline for Aboriginal Participation Fund early exploration support has moved to April 30, 2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 15, 2026
Latest change: The application deadline for Aboriginal Participation Fund early exploration support has moved to April 30, 2026.
Early exploration support deadline updated
The application deadline for Aboriginal Participation Fund early exploration support has been updated from April 16, 2026 to April 30, 2026. No other visible changes were identified to eligibility, funding terms, application steps, or contact details.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Indigenous communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity
See full eligibility
Overview
The Indigenous Participation Fund supports Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario to build capacity for consultations related to mineral exploration and mine development. The consultation supports stream can fund salary costs, staff training and development, and professional fees.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
- Building capacity to participate in and respond to consultations about mineral exploration and mine development
- Taking part in consultation led by a single ministry acting as the representative of the Crown in Right of Ontario
- Taking part in a coordinated multi-ministry consultation process on matters related to Aboriginal and/or treaty rights
- Increasing community knowledge and understanding of the mineral development sequence, including mineral exploration, development and mining activities
Documents Needed
- Letters of support, for joint applications
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity
- 2 or more Indigenous communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity
- Representative organizations with member communities in areas of mineral exploration or development activity
- Any Indigenous community in Ontario whose credibly asserted or established Aboriginal and/or treaty rights have the potential to be adversely impacted by mineral activity
- Representative organizations may apply for a Mineral Sector Specialist
Who is not eligible
- Organizations without community support for joint applications.
- Applicants outside Ontario.
- Projects unrelated to mineral exploration and development.
Eligible expenses
- Salary costs for key staff positions
- Staff training and development
- Staff travel
- Facilities, equipment, and meeting expenses
- Professional fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Technical consultants, technicians, and professional technical expertise.
- Activities already fully funded by other sources.
- Projects not related to mineral exploration and development.
- Capital asset costs and business development costs.
- Legal fees, except those related to reviewing the agreement.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Applicant profile and existing capacity funding received: 30%
- Stream objectives and proposed work plan: 50%
- Proposed budget and cost reasonableness: 20%
- Mineral exploration activity in the area is considered.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the guide
- Read the full application guide before starting.
- Review eligibility, costs, and evaluation criteria.
- Step 2: Register in TPON
- Create a ONe-key account if needed.
- Register in Transfer Payment Ontario at least three weeks before the deadline if you are a first-time user.
- Step 3: Complete the application
- Fill out the online application form in TPON.
- Provide project objectives, work plan, and financial information.
- Attach required supporting information, including a Band Council Resolution or Board Motion if applicable.
- Step 4: Submit the application
- Submit the completed application through Transfer Payment Ontario.
- Check your email for confirmation of receipt.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by internal ministry reviewers.
- The ministry assesses eligibility, work plan, and budget.
- A risk assessment and financial appraisal are completed.
- Funding is awarded at the ministry’s discretion.
- If approved, the applicant must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement.
Additional information
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the ministry’s Transfer Payment Coordinator before applying.
- Applications must be submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario.
- First-time TPON users must create a ONe-key account at least three weeks before the deadline.
- Successful applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement and carry at least $2 million in commercial general liability insurance.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support Program
What is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support?
The Indigenous Participation Fund supports Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario to build capacity for consultations related to mineral exploration and mine development. The consultation supports stream can fund salary costs, staff training and development, and professional fees.
Who is eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support program?
To be eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support program, you must:
Indigenous communities or organizations in Ontario may apply.
Joint applicants must be 2 or more Indigenous communities, or a representative organization with member communities.
Joint applications require letters of support.
What expenses are eligible under Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support?
Building capacity to participate in and respond to consultations about mineral exploration and mine development
Taking part in consultation led by a single ministry acting as the representative of the Crown in Right of Ontario
Taking part in a coordinated multi-ministry consultation process on matters related to Aboriginal and/or treaty rights
Increasing community knowledge and understanding of the mineral development sequence, including mineral exploration, development and mining activities
Who can I contact for more information about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at IndigenousParticipationFund@ontario.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support available?
The Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Early exploration support is funded by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Mines in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM)