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Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building
Funding for Indigenous mining-sector learning
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program provides funding of up to 90% of the budget for Aboriginal communities and organizations in Ontario. It supports education, relationship-building, and mining-sector engagement activities related to mineral exploration and development.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
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
- Educational activities related to the mining sector and its regulation
- Conferences, seminars, and workshops
- Community awareness sessions on mineral exploration and development
- Technical tables related to the mining sector
- Relationship-building with industry, government, and other Aboriginal communities
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Project work plan
- Project budget
- Band Council Resolutions for joint applications
- Supporting information requested by the ministry
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Aboriginal communities in Ontario
- Aboriginal organizations in Ontario
- Tribal Councils
- Economic development organizations representing communities
Who is not eligible
- Projects that are already fully funded by other sources
- Applicants seeking support for economic arrangement negotiations
- Applicants requesting capital asset or business development costs
- Projects related to land claims or litigation research
Eligible expenses
- Staff salaries and mandatory employer-related costs
- Training, conference and workshop fees, with related travel
- Professional fees, consultants and technicians
- Meeting, presentation, workshop and venue costs
- Equipment, administration, and office supplies
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects outside the stream objectives
- Costs already fully funded by other sources
- Economic arrangement negotiations
- Capital asset costs and business development costs
- Research for land claims or litigation
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by internal ministry reviewers.
- The ministry assesses eligibility, project fit, budget, risk, and financial capacity.
- Funding decisions are made at the ministry’s discretion.
- Successful applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement before funding is released.
- The ministry may verify or audit submitted information and may recover funds if they are not used as intended.
Additional information
- A separate work plan is required for each funding year.
- Applications may be submitted at any point during the fiscal year, if the stream is open.
- Performance indicators should be marked as N/A in TPON.
- Successful applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building Program
What is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building?
This program provides funding of up to 90% of the budget for Aboriginal communities and organizations in Ontario. It supports education, relationship-building, and mining-sector engagement activities related to mineral exploration and development.
Who is eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building program?
To be eligible for the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building program, you must:
Aboriginal communities or organizations in Ontario.
Project tied to mining-sector learning or relationships.
Joint applications need Band Council Resolutions.
What expenses are eligible under Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building?
Educational activities related to the mining sector and its regulation
Conferences, seminars, and workshops
Community awareness sessions on mineral exploration and development
Technical tables related to the mining sector
Relationship-building with industry, government, and other Aboriginal communities
Who can I contact for more information about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at TPONCC@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-855-216-3090.
Where is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building available?
The Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building?
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building is funded by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Mines in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM)