Open
Source verified August 11, 2026
Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program
Supports Indigenous training and economic development in Ontario
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
First Nations communities in Ontario, Métis communities in Ontario, Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) in Ontario, and Tribal Councils in Ontario.
See full eligibility
Overview
The 2026-27 Indigenous Economic Development Fund-Regional Partnership Grant supports Indigenous businesses, organizations and communities in Ontario to improve access to training and strengthen economic development, and can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum contribution of $250,000. Eligible costs include staff salary and related costs, project-specific training, and community outreach.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects with a regional or provincial scope that improve access to training for Indigenous people in Ontario.
- Projects that involve the applicant and one or more eligible delivery partners.
- Projects with the potential to create jobs, training, or business opportunities for Indigenous people in Ontario.
- Projects linked to an existing economic development plan within the geographic area of the proposed project.
- Projects aimed at addressing community-level capacity or other business development needs, if supported by a sound market need or gap analysis and evidence.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations communities in Ontario, Métis communities in Ontario, Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) in Ontario, and Tribal Councils in Ontario.
- Indigenous businesses in Ontario and Indigenous organizations recognized by the Province of Ontario.
Who is not eligible
- Applicants in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
Eligible expenses
- Salary and related costs for a Mineral Development Advisor position.
- Community capacity activities to review exploration plans, permits, closure plans and environmental assessments.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Business plan, including the project management approach and governance structure.
- Business case, including overall need and demand for the project, and the anticipated results within the proposed timeframe.
- Applicant’s history of managing projects funded by the Government of Ontario.
- Extent to which the project contributes to increased economic activity for Indigenous communities and improves employment opportunities for training participants.
- Extent to which participants would obtain or be eligible to obtain recognized provincial certification, and the extent to which the project budget demonstrates value for money, budget accuracy and eligible project costs.
How to apply
- Read the complete application guide before preparing the application.
- Register with Transfer Payment Ontario before submitting; applicants must be enrolled to access the application forms.
- Use Transfer Payment Ontario to save and submit the application, and consult the Transfer Payment Ontario System Reference Guide for Applicants for instructions.
Processing and Agreement
- After the application and required documents are submitted, the Ministry begins a two-stage evaluation process.
- The preliminary assessment checks completeness, compliance, suitability, eligibility, risk, and financial capacity, and the Ministry may request additional information.
- All eligible applications are reviewed and scored by an inter-ministry review panel during the full assessment stage.
- Successful applicants receive copies of the Transfer Payment Agreement to sign, and must sign it before funding is received; they must also have or seek at least $2 million commercial general liability insurance and add Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as an additional insured.
- Funding recipients must submit a final report at the end of the project, return any unspent funds, permit verification or audit by the Province, and may be required to take corrective action for non-compliance.
Additional information
- The Indigenous Economic Development Fund provides grants and financing through 3 funding streams, including the Regional Partnership Grant.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program Program
What is the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program?
The 2026-27 Indigenous Economic Development Fund-Regional Partnership Grant supports Indigenous businesses, organizations and communities in Ontario to improve access to training and strengthen economic development, and can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum contribution of $250,000. Eligible costs include staff salary and related costs, project-specific training, and community outreach.
How much funding can be received?
Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program program?
To be eligible for the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program program, you must:
Indigenous or Aboriginal community or organization in Ontario.
High mineral exploration or development activity.
Joint applications need community support.
What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program?
Projects with a regional or provincial scope that improve access to training for Indigenous people in Ontario.
Projects that involve the applicant and one or more eligible delivery partners.
Projects with the potential to create jobs, training, or business opportunities for Indigenous people in Ontario.
Projects linked to an existing economic development plan within the geographic area of the proposed project.
Projects aimed at addressing community-level capacity or other business development needs, if supported by a sound market need or gap analysis and evidence.
Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at IndigenousEconomicDevelopmentFund@ontario.ca.
Where is the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program available?
The Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Regional Partnership Grants Program is a Grant and Funding