Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified April 9, 2026

Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Education and relationship-building

Funding for Indigenous mining-sector learning
Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: May 13, 2026
Latest change: The Aboriginal Participation Fund details were updated, with changes affecting eligibility, timing, application guidance, and contact information.
View change
Aboriginal Participation Fund update
The Aboriginal Participation Fund content was updated, and the Education and relationship-building stream now shows revised program details. The visible changes affect who can apply, how applications are submitted, the program timing, and the contact information provided. The updated material also suggests a shift in scope and selection factors for the program, while funding terms appear to have changed only modestly.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Aboriginal communities in Ontario
See full eligibility

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.
/100
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
Funds Providers

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

  • 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

Official resources

Official page

Available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government

Program guide

Application Guide for the Aboriginal Participation Fund

Application Guide for the Education and Relationship Building funding - Forms - Central Forms Repository (CFR)

Program guide

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

Selection criteria

  • Applicant profile and mineral exploration/development activity (30%)
  • Stream objectives and proposed work plan (50%)
  • Proposed budget and cost reasonableness (20%)
  • Risk assessment and financial appraisal

How to apply

  • Step 1: Register in Transfer Payment Ontario
    • Create a ONe-key account if needed.
    • Register at least three weeks before the deadline for first-time users.
  • Step 2: Prepare the application
    • Complete the form sections for project and financial information.
    • Attach the required work plan and supporting information.
  • Step 3: Submit through TPON
    • Submit the completed application in Transfer Payment Ontario.
    • Keep the confirmation email after submission.
  • Step 4: Await review and decision
    • The ministry reviews the application and may contact you if needed.
    • If approved, sign the contribution agreement to receive funding.

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

TPONCC@ontario.ca
1-855-216-3090

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)