Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Contact us
Closed

First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program

Support for First Nations and Inuit cultural centres

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

Source change captured

Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
First Nations and Inuit cultural education centres
See full eligibility

Overview

The Programme des centres éducatifs et culturels des Premières Nations et des Inuit provides funding to First Nations and Inuit organizations and cultural education centres in reserves, off reserves, or designated Inuit regions to preserve and promote cultural heritage. Eligible work includes research, language resources, cultural events, workshops, museums, libraries, and galleries.

At a glance

Funding available

Varies by project

Financing goals
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Enhance an existing program
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Culture and Arts, Primary and Secondary Education, Other Education, Research
Target groups
General public, Children & youth, Indigenous peoples, Academia / students
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
National

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

2026 to 2027 call for proposals closed

The program landing page now shows the 2026 to 2027 call for proposals as closed, with the deadline listed as May 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

See more

The First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program landing page now shows the 2026 to 2027 call for proposals as closed, replacing the previous 2025 to 2026 cycle. The deadline to submit a proposal is May 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

Official source: sac-isc.gc.ca
June 28, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • First Nations and Inuit cultural education centres
  • First Nations or Inuit organizations that have a cultural education centre in or off reserves
  • Member centres of the Confédération des centres éducatifs et culturels des Premières Nations
  • Tungasuvvingat Inuit
  • Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Eligible expenses

  • Culturally adapted curriculum for First Nations and Inuit schools
  • Operating costs of eligible First Nations and Inuit education and cultural centres in reserves, off reserves, or designated Inuit regions
  • Costs of specific First Nations and Inuit cultural initiatives
  • Salaries, wages, and benefits; printing and publication; materials and supplies; Elders and speakers; professional and consulting services; and facility rental
  • Travel within Canada at actual cost within the National Joint Council travel rates, and administration costs up to 15% of the approved subtotal before administration costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Construction and renovation of capital assets
  • Purchase of land or buildings
  • Allowances, indemnities, and fees to attend a course or activity
  • Contingency or miscellaneous costs, deficit recovery, interest, and other bank charges
  • Fiscal-year depreciation and partisan activities

Eligible geographic areas

  • On or off reserves
  • Inuit settlement regions

Activities funded

  • Research on the heritage and culture of First Nations and Inuit
  • Creation or expansion of language-learning resources and other learning resources, including land-based learning
  • Development or testing of culturally based programs, materials, and teaching methods for schools
  • Educational programs for communities or the public, cultural events or traditional ceremonies, workshops, museums, libraries, galleries, and heritage information gathering
  • Activities that revive traditional skills, develop contemporary cultural skills, or manage proposal-based programs for organizations carrying out individual projects

How to apply

  • Obtain the electronic proposal form from the SAC Services Portal; if you cannot access the portal, contact your regional SAC office, and national beneficiaries should email education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca.
  • Prepare a detailed proposal for all activities to be carried out under the agreement and explain how they support the program objectives and community needs.
  • Submit only the electronic proposal form published by SAC.
  • Incomplete proposals will be returned.

Selection criteria

  • Experience and capacity of the beneficiary, and the designated project leader if applicable, to implement the proposed activities successfully and on time.
  • Support from relevant organizations or communities, including letters of support.
  • Alignment of proposed activities with eligible activities and program objectives, including timelines, cost-effectiveness, and expected results.
  • Project management approach, including governance, scope, human resources, risk management, deliverables, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Realistic total project costs and justification for the funding required.

Processing and Agreement

  • The regional SAC office or national headquarters reviews and approves proposals.
  • Applicants receive a written response confirming approval or rejection.
  • The Confédération des centres éducatifs et culturels des Premières Nations reviews and approves proposals for its own beneficiaries.
  • For approved multi-year projects, later-year funding depends on achieving objectives and available funds.

Additional information

  • Proposals must be submitted through the ISC electronic form.
  • Incomplete proposals will be returned.
  • Written approval is sent after review.
  • Funding for later years depends on results and available funds.

Contacts

education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca

Official sources

sac-isc.gc.ca
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program Program

What is the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program?

The Programme des centres éducatifs et culturels des Premières Nations et des Inuit provides funding to First Nations and Inuit organizations and cultural education centres in reserves, off reserves, or designated Inuit regions to preserve and promote cultural heritage. Eligible work includes research, language resources, cultural events, workshops, museums, libraries, and galleries.

Who is eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program program?

To be eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program program, you must: First Nations or Inuit organizations with a cultural education centre First Nations and Inuit cultural education centres Activities must be directly linked to an approved work plan from a regional process led by First Nations or Inuit

What expenses are eligible under First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program?

Culturally adapted curriculum for First Nations and Inuit schools Operating costs of eligible First Nations and Inuit education and cultural centres in reserves, off reserves, or designated Inuit regions Costs of specific First Nations and Inuit cultural initiatives Salaries, wages, and benefits; printing and publication; materials and supplies; Elders and speakers; professional and consulting services; and facility rental Travel within Canada at actual cost within the National Joint Council travel rates, and administration costs up to 15% of the approved subtotal before administration costs

Who can I contact for more information about the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program?

You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Where is the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program available?

The First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program program is available across Canada.

Is the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program?

First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program is funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)