Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Values mapping and related projects

• Completed application form
• Project work plan
• Project budget
• Band Council Resolution, if applying jointly or for more than one community
• Required supporting information, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Aboriginal communities in Ontario
• Aboriginal organizations in Ontario, such as Tribal Councils
• Joint applicants made up of two or more Aboriginal communities
• Aboriginal organizations representing communities in high mineral activity areas

Who is not eligible

• Projects unrelated to mineral exploration or development
• Applicants seeking funding for business development costs
• Projects already fully funded by other sources
• Applications for land claims or litigation research

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and mandatory employer-related costs
• Professional fees for project management or technical expertise
• Travel for project-related activities
• Honoraria for Elders and cultural ceremonies or offerings
• Meeting, workshop, equipment, and administration costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Projects outside the stream objectives or not related to mineral exploration and development
• Initiatives already fully funded by other sources, including in-kind contributions
• Capital asset costs
• Business development costs
• Research for land claims or litigation

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario
• Ontario’s Far North communities are specifically noted for review by the ministry

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

• Step 1:
  • Read the full program guide
  • Review the stream objectives, eligible costs, and application requirements
• Step 2:
  • Register in Transfer Payment Ontario if needed
  • Create a ONe-key account at least three weeks before the deadline for first-time users
• Step 3:
  • Complete the application form in TPON
  • Answer the project questions and prepare the work plan and budget
  • Attach any required supporting information
• Step 4:
  • Submit the application through Transfer Payment Ontario
  • Watch for the confirmation email sent to the primary applicant

• Applications are reviewed by internal ministry reviewers.
• The ministry also completes a risk assessment and financial appraisal.
• Funding decisions are made at the ministry’s discretion.
• Successful applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Contribution Agreement before funds are released.
• Recipients must report using ministry forms and may be subject to audit or verification.

• Applications may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31.
• First-time TPON users must create a ONe-key account at least three weeks before the deadline.
• Applicants should review the full guide and contact the ministry if the stream is still open.