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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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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 (ON) 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 (ON), Ministry of Mines in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM)