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Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants
Supports Indigenous participation in critical minerals infrastructure projects
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 200,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : December 17, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants provides up to $200,000 per organization to support Indigenous engagement, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing activities related to clean energy and transportation infrastructure for critical minerals projects in Canada. This federal grant aims to empower Indigenous groups to actively participate in infrastructure projects that enable the development and expansion of critical minerals production.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2025
- Closing date : December 17, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Engagement and consultation initiatives related to clean energy or transportation infrastructure projects enabling critical minerals production.
- Capacity building projects that strengthen Indigenous organizations’ ability to participate in discussions about infrastructure development for critical minerals.
- Knowledge gathering and sharing activities, such as collecting and distributing information—both Indigenous and Western knowledge—to support participation in eligible infrastructure projects.
- Studies or reporting efforts to assess the potential impacts and benefits of proposed infrastructure tied to critical minerals projects (e.g., feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, community-led reports).
- Partnership projects involving negotiations and collaboration between Indigenous organizations and mining or infrastructure proponents to support mutual goals in critical minerals projects.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous organizations (including Indigenous communities, Indigenous governments, tribal councils, national or regional Indigenous organizations, and Indigenous for-profit or not-for-profit organizations)
- Non-Indigenous organizations working with or on behalf of an Indigenous partner (such as academic or research institutions, not-for-profit groups, and provincial, territorial or municipal governments and their departments and agencies)
Who is not eligible
- Companies seeking funding for capital expenditures, construction costs, renovation of buildings, or legal fees related to litigation, as these expenses are ineligible.
- Organizations whose initiatives are not associated with critical minerals mining projects where at least 50% of the total mineral production by volume is from Canada's critical minerals list.
- Applicants proposing infrastructure projects that do not directly enable the development or expansion of critical minerals production (e.g., infrastructure for non-mining purposes or solely for the movement of people or equipment).
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for employees’ time spent on the initiative.
- Costs for training, including wages, stipends, or other financial transfers to non-salaried trainees and students, and fees paid to trainers or training organizations.
- Honoraria, ceremonial costs, and hospitality expenses for community engagement events and meetings (including cultural gifts and prizes).
- Rental of facilities, transportation, and equipment required for the initiative.
- Travel expenses such as meals and accommodation, as per National Joint Council rates.
- Professional, legal, and contracting services relevant to the initiative.
- Communications and media services.
- Translation, editing, publication, and printing related to initiative activities.
- Laboratory, scientific, field, and personal safety equipment and supplies.
- Overhead expenditures (e.g., office operating expenses) directly related to the initiative, up to 15% of total eligible expenditures.
- Provincial sales tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) costs, net of any tax rebate to which the recipient is entitled.
Eligible geographic areas
- All regions of Canada, including northern and remote areas such as Yukon, Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut.
Selection criteria
- Potential of the proposed activities to generate significant benefits for Indigenous Peoples, as defined by the Indigenous group(s) associated with the application.
- Potential for significant positive or adverse impacts of the associated critical minerals and/or infrastructure development on Indigenous Peoples and the environment.
- Urgency and status of the critical minerals and/or infrastructure development (e.g., projects entering the construction phase soon will be prioritized).
- Promotion of a balanced distribution of funding among Indigenous groups and regions across Canada.
- Feasibility of proposed activities, including alignment with initiative objectives, organizational capacity, and identified risk mitigation strategies.
How to apply
1
Confirm eligibility and review requirements
- Review the eligibility requirements on the CMIF Indigenous Grants web page and Applicant Guide
- Confirm your organization type (Indigenous or non-Indigenous working with Indigenous partner)
- Ensure the project involves eligible critical minerals and infrastructure
2
Prepare application and gather documents
- Download the Application Form and Applicant Guide from the official website
- Gather required documentation: quotes/estimates, incorporation documentation, recent financial statements
- Non-Indigenous applicants must obtain a letter of support from an Indigenous partner
3
Complete application form
- Complete the Application Form, filling all text boxes, checkboxes, and drop-down menus
- Provide all required details on the initiative, activities, expected outcomes, and budget
- Attach all supporting documentation as indicated in the guidelines
4
Submit application and documents
- Email the completed Application Form and all required supporting documents to cmif_ig-sa_fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca by the stated deadline
- Request acknowledgment of receipt if needed
- Ensure submission is before 11:59 p.m. PST on December 17, 2025
5
Undergo application assessment
- Await screening for completeness and eligibility by NRCan
- Eligible applications will be prioritized using assessment criteria such as expected benefits, project status, and distribution among regions
- You may be contacted for additional information or clarifications during assessment
6
Receive funding approval and provide payment details
- If selected, receive notification of funding approval from the CMIF Indigenous Grants team
- Provide Recipient Registration and Direct Deposit form with banking information for payment
Additional information
- Information sessions and Q&A drop-in sessions are available in both English and French for applicants during the call for proposals period.
- Applicants may request a recording of prior public information sessions by email.
- The Indigenous Grants stream has increased maximum funding amounts per organization compared to the previous call for proposals.
- Applicants are encouraged to refer to the official Applicant Guide for detailed instructions and examples when preparing their submission.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants Program
What is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants?
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants provides up to $200,000 per organization to support Indigenous engagement, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing activities related to clean energy and transportation infrastructure for critical minerals projects in Canada. This federal grant aims to empower Indigenous groups to actively participate in infrastructure projects that enable the development and expansion of critical minerals production.
How much funding can be received?
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 17, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants program?
To be eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants program, you must:
Indigenous organizations, or non-Indigenous organizations working with or on behalf of an Indigenous partner
Applicant organizations must be legally incorporated or registered in Canada
Non-Indigenous applicants must provide a letter of support from the Indigenous partner organization
What expenses are eligible under Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants?
Engagement and consultation initiatives related to clean energy or transportation infrastructure projects enabling critical minerals production.
Capacity building projects that strengthen Indigenous organizations’ ability to participate in discussions about infrastructure development for critical minerals.
Knowledge gathering and sharing activities, such as collecting and distributing information—both Indigenous and Western knowledge—to support participation in eligible infrastructure projects.
Studies or reporting efforts to assess the potential impacts and benefits of proposed infrastructure tied to critical minerals projects (e.g., feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, community-led reports).
Partnership projects involving negotiations and collaboration between Indigenous organizations and mining or infrastructure proponents to support mutual goals in critical minerals projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at cmif_ig-sa_fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants available?
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants program is available across Canada.