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Source verified July 11, 2026
First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)
Education infrastructure support for First Nations communities
Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The First Nations Enhanced Education Infrastructure Fund supports First Nations communities through the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, with Budget 2016 investing $969.4 million over 5 years starting in 2016-2017 for education facilities. It helps fund new schools, renovations, expansions, and the construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations education infrastructure.
/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
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Sports
- Other Recreation and Social Clubs
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Emergency and Relief
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations education facilities.
- Building new schools.
- Renovating existing facilities.
- Expanding existing facilities.
- Operating and maintaining existing education infrastructure.
Documents Needed
- First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations communities
Eligible expenses
- Capital costs for acquiring, constructing, or renovating tangible assets.
- Professional, technical, consulting, and contractor fees directly tied to the project.
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, and follow-up costs when required.
- Incremental planning, skills development, and capacity-building costs.
- Pre-approved direct costs necessary to complete the project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before conditional project approval.
- General overhead, operating, and administrative costs.
- Routine repair and maintenance costs.
- Feasibility studies for individual projects.
- Legal fees, land costs, leasing costs, audit and evaluation costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- First Nations communities in Canada
- Projects on reserves, Crown land, or land set aside for the use and benefit of a First Nation
- Off-reserve projects only when cost-shared with eligible partners
Selection criteria
- Condition of the existing facility, with a focus on health and safety, overcrowding, and accessibility to off-reserve schools.
- Design, including grade distribution and amenities offered.
- Cost-efficiency opportunities, including external funding sources and aggregation.
- Other factors taken into account include state of project readiness, cost-sharing opportunities, opportunities to achieve efficiencies, innovative solutions and financing.
How to apply
- There is no application.
- Submit the mandatory annual First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan to your ISC regional office by September 30.
- Provide an updated report each year before capital funds are released.
Processing and Agreement
- Funding is determined based on information in the mandatory annual First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan.
- Proposed projects are assessed by ISC regional officials and prioritized according to the School Priority Ranking Framework.
- An updated report must be provided each year before capital funds are released to First Nations.
Additional information
- The fund is part of the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
- ISC has established an Innovation Fund to provide funding to First Nations communities to build school facilities that are innovative, promote education reform or achieve cost savings.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) Program
What is the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?
The First Nations Enhanced Education Infrastructure Fund supports First Nations communities through the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, with Budget 2016 investing $969.4 million over 5 years starting in 2016-2017 for education facilities. It helps fund new schools, renovations, expansions, and the construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations education infrastructure.
How much funding can be received?
First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program?
To be eligible for the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program, you must:
First Nations communities must submit their First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan every year to their ISC regional office by September 30.
What expenses are eligible under First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?
Construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations education facilities.
Building new schools.
Renovating existing facilities.
Expanding existing facilities.
Operating and maintaining existing education infrastructure.
Who can I contact for more information about the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) available?
The First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program is available across Canada.
Is the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) is a Grant and Funding