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Source verified August 24, 2026
Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF)
Multi-year funding for First Nations engagement
Funding available
$ 1,040,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) provides multi-year funding to eligible B.C. First Nations to support engagement with the Province of B.C. on Declaration Act implementation. Eligible costs include staffing, professional legal and technical support, capacity training, community engagement, travel, and administrative costs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,040,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
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
- Engagement and consultation with the Province of B.C. on implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan
- Alignment of provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Other strategic, policy, and legislative engagements that evolve from enhanced government-to-government work and relations with the Province of B.C.
- Activities to implement the Declaration Act
Documents Needed
- Letter of Authorization
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- B.C. First Nations under the Indian Act
- B.C. Modern Treaty Nations
- Self-Governing Nations
Who is not eligible
- First Nations based in jurisdictions outside of B.C. with consultative areas in B.C.
Eligible expenses
- Staffing costs
- Professional fees for legal and technical support
- Capacity training, including skills development, workshops, and courses
- Community engagement and travel costs, including transportation, accommodation, and meals
- Other reasonable administrative costs and incremental costs associated with eligible activities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital costs, including acquisition of buildings, lands, vehicles, and other major capital
- Permitting activities
- Direct negotiation supports
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
How to apply
- Complete and submit the Application Form on NRT’s website.
- Submit a basic Letter of Authorization with the application form.
- Download the sample Letter of Authorization, have it approved by Council or an authorized signatory on Nation letterhead, and attach it before submitting.
Processing and Agreement
- NRT program staff review submitted applications daily.
- Staff validate eligibility and the completeness of documentation.
- Staff follow up with the applicant if information is missing or clarification is required.
- When an application is approved, an email is sent to notify the contact person.
- If the application is complete as received, NRT drafts and emails a contribution agreement to the authorized signatory in 1 to 3 days.
- After the contribution agreement is signed, NRT program staff submit internal paperwork to disburse the first payment.
Additional information
- The fund is administered by New Relationship Trust.
- It is designed to reduce typical application and reporting barriers for First Nations.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) Program
What is the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF)?
Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) provides multi-year funding to eligible B.C. First Nations to support engagement with the Province of B.C. on Declaration Act implementation. Eligible costs include staffing, professional legal and technical support, capacity training, community engagement, travel, and administrative costs.
How much funding can be received?
Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) Funds up to $1,040,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) program?
To be eligible for the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) program, you must:
Applicants must be First Nations under the Indian Act in B.C., B.C. Modern Treaty Nations, or Self-Governing Nations.
What expenses are eligible under Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF)?
Engagement and consultation with the Province of B.C. on implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan
Alignment of provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Other strategic, policy, and legislative engagements that evolve from enhanced government-to-government work and relations with the Province of B.C.
Activities to implement the Declaration Act
Who can I contact for more information about the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF)?
You can contact New Relationship Trust (NRT) by email at daef@nrtf.ca.
Where is the Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) available?
The Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) program is available the province of British Columbia.