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First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)

Infrastructure support for First Nations communities

Offered by
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Official source: sac-isc.gc.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
First Nations communities
See full eligibility

Overview

The First Nation Infrastructure Fund supports First Nations communities across Canada to improve public infrastructure on reserves, Crown land, or land set aside for the use and benefit of a First Nation. It covers nine infrastructure categories, including planning and skills development, roads and bridges, energy systems, connectivity, fire protection, and solid waste management.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$10,000,000
Maximum share of project costs
100%
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
Public or Parapublic institution, For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

FNIIP submission deadline moved to October 15

The First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans page now says regional offices receive plans by October 15 each year.

See more

The First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans page now states that a First Nation must submit its infrastructure investment plan to a regional office by October 15 each year, replacing the previous September 30 deadline. The page also continues to direct First Nations to contact their ISC regional office to develop their plan, with no other visible changes to eligibility, funding terms, scope, or contact details.

Official source: sac-isc.gc.ca
August 11, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • First Nations communities
  • Indigenous beneficiaries
  • Organizations
  • Private class of eligible recipients
  • Public class of eligible recipients

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

  • Existing community planning processes, other than in relation to the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans.
  • Project costs incurred before conditional approval of a project.
  • Services or works that, in the opinion of ISC, are normally provided by the First Nations community, a federal department or a related party.
  • Salaries and other employment benefits of any employees of the First Nations community.
  • Recipient overhead, operating or administrative costs, feasibility studies, rebate-eligible taxes, land costs, equipment leasing, legal fees, routine repair and maintenance, audit and evaluation costs, and asset-specific costs outside the scope of the FNIF's authorities.

Eligible geographic areas

  • First Nations communities across Canada.
  • Reserves, Crown land, or land set aside for the use and benefit of a First Nation.
  • Off-reserve projects can be considered if they are cost-shared with non-First Nations partners.

Activities funded

  • Planning and skills development.
  • Solid waste management.
  • Roads and bridges.
  • Energy systems, connectivity, structural mitigation and fire protection.
  • Cultural and recreational facilities and band administrative buildings.

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.

Documents Needed

  • First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan

Selection criteria

  • Focus on high-priority projects in communities with the most at-risk infrastructure.
  • Beneficial regional impacts, such as benefits to multiple First Nations communities or across regional boundaries.
  • Potential for partnering with nearby First Nations communities.
  • Ability to cost-share with another federal government department, a nearby municipality or the private sector, or be supplemented with a First Nation's own-source revenue.
  • Alignment with regional, municipal, provincial or federal priorities, such as resilient and green infrastructure.

Processing and Agreement

  • ISC regional offices, in collaboration with First Nations, assess project plans and identify potential infrastructure projects for FNIF funding.
  • Projects not documented in a FNIIP may be screened for eligibility and assessed by the same criteria as projects received through the FNIIP process.
  • ISC headquarters reviews the regionally prioritized project list to ensure adherence to program guidelines.
  • Regional engagement with First Nations or other partners is conducted as needed.

Additional information

  • The FNIF is a proposal-based infrastructure fund.

Official sources

sac-isc.gc.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions about the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) Program

What is the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?

The First Nation Infrastructure Fund supports First Nations communities across Canada to improve public infrastructure on reserves, Crown land, or land set aside for the use and benefit of a First Nation. It covers nine infrastructure categories, including planning and skills development, roads and bridges, energy systems, connectivity, fire protection, and solid waste management.

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.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program?

To be eligible for the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program, you must: Projects must fall within 1 or more of the 9 eligible infrastructure categories. Projects must have support from a First Nation, band council or Tribal Council Resolution, or other documentation from the governing body of a self-governing First Nation. Projects must align with a community plan or strategy for the respective infrastructure category.

What expenses are eligible under First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?

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.

Who can I contact for more information about the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)?

You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

Where is the First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) available?

The First Nation Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) program is available across Canada.