How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $1500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous cultural partnership?

Indigenous cultural partnership is funded by Gouvernement du Québec

What are Indigenous cultural partnership's eligibility criterias?

Recognized Indigenous organizations and communities only (non-Indigenous organizations and for-profit entities not eligible). Actions must aim at the preservation, transmission, or enhancement of Indigenous cultures or languages.

Indigenous cultural partnership

Last Update: August 12, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports preservation and promotion of Indigenous cultures and languages

Indigenous cultural partnership at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $1,500,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Open

Overview of the Indigenous cultural partnership program

The Indigenous Cultural Partnership program in Quebec supports the preservation, transmission, and promotion of Indigenous cultures and languages, with funding of up to $400,000 per year (or up to $1,500,000 per year for northern and isolated nations). Eligible activities include developing cultural initiatives, hiring professional resources, training, and the creation and dissemination of cultural projects benefiting Indigenous communities.

Financing terms and conditions

The Ministry’s financial contribution can cover up to 75% of eligible project expenses.
The minimum grant per agreement is $5,000, and the maximum is $400,000 per year (up to $1,500,000 per year for northern, isolated, or highly isolated nations).
Payments are distributed in instalments according to the agreement’s duration (1, 2, or 3 years), with specified advance and final payments based on report approvals.
Total public funding, including government grants, tax credits, and municipal financing, must not exceed 100% of project eligible costs.

Eligible projects & activities

Initiatives supporting the preservation, transmission, and promotion of Indigenous cultures and languages.
Implementation of cultural action plans tailored to the needs of specific Indigenous nations, communities, or organizations.
Development and delivery of cultural activities for Indigenous populations, such as workshops, traditional knowledge sharing, or events accessible to community members.
Hiring of dedicated human resources or providing training to enhance cultural capacity within Indigenous communities or organizations.
Temporary cultural projects utilizing facilities or special equipment to facilitate cultural activities, excluding permanent infrastructure.

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous cultural partnership program

The applicant must be one of the 11 Indigenous nations of Québec recognized by the National Assembly or represented by a designated Indigenous national body responsible for culture or language.
Eligible applicants include Indigenous cultural organizations operating in urban Indigenous contexts or across several nations, whose activities contribute to preserving, transmitting, or promoting Indigenous cultures or languages in Québec.
Indigenous communities that are part of the 11 recognized Indigenous nations of Québec are eligible.
The proposed project must align with the program's objectives, such as preserving, transmitting, or promoting Indigenous cultures or languages.
The applicant must designate a human resource to ensure implementation and maintain control measures for sound management and accountability.

Who is eligible?

Designated Indigenous national bodies responsible for culture or language preservation, transmission, or promotion
Indigenous cultural organizations working with multiple nations or in urban Indigenous contexts
Indigenous communities that are part of the 11 Indigenous nations of Québec recognized by the National Assembly

Who is not eligible

Individuals (not incorporated or organized as eligible Indigenous entities).
Non-Indigenous organizations.
For-profit organizations.
Non-Indigenous governmental organizations.
Applicants registered with the Register of companies not eligible for public contracts (RENA), including subcontractors listed in RENA.

Eligible expenses

Salaries and benefits for professional and technical resources exclusively hired for the partnership (up to $60,000 gross annual salary per resource).
Training costs for hired staff (including technical, professional, college or university courses, and participation in conferences, forums, or gatherings).
Contract fees for business or service providers.
Professional fees for studies or diagnostics.
Expenses for training, writing, language revision, translation, research, graphic design, printing, promotion, advertising, marketing, and communication related to delivering the action plan (e.g., production of posters, brochures, books, or magazines).
Cost of materials needed for the implementation of the action plan.
Rental costs for external premises necessary for project activities.
Purchase of non-integrated equipment required for project delivery (if purchase is essential and cannot be rented, or is less expensive than rental), limited to 50% of project costs unless for digital projects.
Purchase of tickets for performances as part of projects targeting Indigenous populations and linked to broader initiatives.
Fees for artists for facilitation, cultural mediation, training, or creative/dissemination activities benefiting the Indigenous population.
Non-refundable portion of the Québec Sales Tax (QST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) incurred on eligible expenses.
Travel and accommodation expenses within Québec directly related to the project and the mandate of hired project staff, within public sector rate limits.

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous cultural partnership program

Relevance: Alignment of the proposed partnership with the program’s objectives and government/ministerial guidelines regarding culture and communication.
Applicant's ability to complete activities: Availability of necessary human resources, sound governance, strong financial management, and collaboration with partners.
Quality of the action plan: Clear objectives, realistic budget and timelines, and effective links between objectives, actions, resources, and expected outcomes.
Expected outcomes: Degree of alignment with the needs of the nation or community, anticipated cultural/social/economic/environmental impacts, and the proportion of members affected.
Prioritization: Priority is given to applications from nations and new applicants; applications are scored and prioritized according to a points scale (80%–100%: priority 1, 60%–79%: priority 2, below 60%: not accepted).

How to apply to the Indigenous cultural partnership program

Contact the regional office

Contact the regional office of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications before preparing your application
Obtain guidance tailored to your project and eligibility

Complete initial application

Complete the initial application specifying the desired agreement duration (1, 2, or 3 years)
List proposed actions, costs, allocated amounts, and target audience
Indicate the total financial assistance requested and contributions from the applicant and partners
Ensure all information is accurate and complete

Submit initial application and documents

Submit the completed initial application via the di@pason online service platform or, if needed, by paper form to the relevant regional office
Attach all supporting documents, including the resolution regarding the application, signed Terms for granting financial assistance, and any relevant documents

Receive eligibility confirmation

Wait for confirmation of eligibility within a maximum of 10 business days after submission
If eligible, prepare for the next phase of application review and possible further requests from the Ministry

Complete detailed action plan

If initial application is accepted, receive a financial proposal from the Ministry
Complete the detailed action plan specifying objectives, actions, and financial resources to be committed
The Ministry may assist in preparing the detailed action plan

Submit detailed action plan

Submit the completed detailed action plan to the Ministry
Ensure all documents are updated and any requested clarifications are provided

Wait for funding decision

Wait for final review and funding decision from the Ministry
Applications are assessed based on relevance, applicant's ability, quality of action plan, expected outcomes, and other criteria

Additional information

Beneficiaries must recognize the Ministry's contribution in all public communications related to subsidized actions, following government visibility rules.
A program evaluation using predefined indicators will occur by November 30, 2027.
The program is valid until March 31, 2027, subject to available funds and potential changes by the government.
Accountability must follow a results-based management approach, including annual progress and financial reporting.

Apply to this program