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Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development - Canada

Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development

Last Update: August 1, 2025
Canada
Supports Indigenous economic development through coordinated federal funding partnerships

Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $10,000,000
  • Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Educational services
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
Grant Providers
  • Indigenous Services Canada
Program status
Open

Overview of the Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development program

The Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development provide up to $10 million per project to support economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities through partnerships, infrastructure, skills development, and business expansion initiatives. The program aims to increase Indigenous participation in the Canadian economy by funding projects such as feasibility studies, capacity building, and business modernization.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Maximum federal government assistance is 100% of eligible project costs.
  • The maximum contribution for a project is $10 million.
  • Total government assistance from all sources cannot exceed eligible project costs.
  • Recipients must disclose all other government funding received or requested.
  • Contribution agreements may require repayment for commercial recipients, depending on project outcomes.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Conducting market, feasibility, pre-feasibility, and diagnostic studies to explore economic opportunities.
  • Developing and implementing business, strategic, or financial plans for new or expanding Indigenous businesses or joint ventures.
  • Strengthening organizational capacity to lead or support economic development projects.
  • Supporting the construction, design, or development of economic infrastructure related to prioritized opportunities.
  • Undertaking skills development and management or technical training tailored to economic initiatives.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 23,000

Adopting automated inventory systems at a non-profit used book store

$ 63,000

Piloting a mobile dental clinic for underserved rural communities

$ 87,000

Establishing a food waste recycling program in local supermarkets

$ 62,900

Installing a rooftop solar array for small theater’s energy efficiency

$ 67,000

Launching a bilingual job training platform for youth in technology

$ 67,000

Upgrading artisan cheese production to enhance food safety standards

Eligibility criteria of the Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development program

  • The applicant must be a First Nations community, tribal council, self-governing First Nations government, local government of an Inuit community, First Nations for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, or institution majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people, First Nations business, partnership or joint venture, provincial or territorial government, or an academic institution.
  • The project must focus on economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities or businesses.
  • The applicant must demonstrate management and organizational capacity to carry out the proposed project.
  • The project must offer potential economic benefits to Indigenous people in Canada.

Who is eligible?

  • First Nations communities
  • Tribal councils
  • Governments of self-governing First Nations
  • Local governments of Inuit communities
  • First Nations-controlled for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, and institutions
  • First Nations businesses, partnerships, and joint ventures
  • Provincial and territorial governments
  • Academic institutions

Who is not eligible

  • Projects involving community infrastructure that is not related to economic development, such as public office buildings, recreation and friendship centres, gaming houses, and public halls.
  • Initiatives that do not result in an economic benefit to Indigenous people.
  • Ongoing operating costs of First Nations organizations or other entities.

Eligible expenses

  • Fees for consultants and qualified professionals.
  • Technical services required for the project.
  • Training and skills development for staff.
  • Costs related to infrastructure development, including planning, design, construction, or repair.
  • Capital expenditures.
  • Purchase of machinery and equipment.
  • Operating costs directly supporting project activities.
  • Salaries, wages, and associated benefits for project personnel.
  • Travel expenses, including accommodation, meals, and allowances linked to project delivery.
  • Expenses for conferences, workshops, and meetings relevant to project objectives.
  • Other reasonable costs necessary for project completion as agreed by program partners.

Eligible geographic areas

  • No specific geographical restrictions are mentioned; eligible recipients include First Nations communities, Inuit communities, and related entities across Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development program

  • Potential of the project or activity to generate net economic benefit to Indigenous people in Canada.
  • Demonstrated management capacity and business expertise of the applicant in relation to the proposed project.
  • Applicant’s ability to secure project financing from various sources.
  • Necessity of government assistance for the project to proceed with the proposed scope, timing, and location.
  • Alignment of the project with federal economic strategies and priorities.

How to apply to the Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development program

1
Identify and assess opportunity
  • Identify economic development opportunity aligned with Indigenous community or organization priorities
  • Engage with potential federal and non-federal partners to assess fit with the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI)
  • Review eligibility criteria for recipients and initiatives
2
Collect application information
  • Gather detailed information on the organization, financial situation, management capacity, and project description
  • Prepare supporting documents such as partnership commitments, project timelines, cost forecasts, and financing details
  • Compile anticipated economic benefits and performance indicators
3
Complete and prepare application
  • Complete the application form, ensuring all required information and documents are included
  • Include project plans, business strategies, compliance assurances, environmental and land tenure documentation if requested
  • Verify that only one submission is needed for all relevant federal partners involved
4
Application review and validation
  • Federal lead department reviews and validates the application against assessment criteria
  • Evaluate eligibility, project benefits, recipient capacity, and alignment with SPI objectives
  • May request additional documentation or clarifications as needed
5
Submit application
  • Submit the finalized application to the lead department, which distributes it to partnering departments as needed
  • Monitor for acknowledgements or requests for further information or clarification
6
Await funding decision
  • Wait for funding decision from the federal partners
  • Provide any additional information requested during the verification process
  • Maintain communication for updates on the status of the application

Additional information

  • Preference will be given to projects where at least one third of funding is sourced from non-federal project participants, including financial or in-kind contributions.
  • Recipients must submit a final report at project completion, in addition to annual progress and financial reports.
  • Contributions to commercial entities may be repayable, depending on the project’s profitability.
  • Projects may require periodic monitoring plans tailored to project risk.
Apply to this program

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