Indigenous Initiatives Fund IV

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous communities
• Indigenous businesses
• Indigenous female entrepreneurs
• Indigenous business leaders aged 35 and under
• Indigenous social economy enterprises
• Organizations mandated to represent Indigenous nations and communities (associations, tribal councils, commissions, etc.)
• Indigenous community action organizations
• Non-profit organizations (Indigenous and, in some cases, non-Indigenous serving Indigenous populations)

Who is not eligible

The types of companies not eligible are :

• Non-aboriginal companies
• Companies that do not meet specific component criteria
• Companies that do not meet the eligibility requirements established for each component

Eligible expenses

• Capital expenditures as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
• Expenses related to the development and implementation of digital transformation, such as design of websites or web platforms (up to 20% of total eligible project costs).
• Costs associated with carrying out feasibility studies, business plans, technical and financial evaluations, market analyses, and integrated management studies (within stated category limits).
• Costs related to workforce upskilling or job-specific training for Indigenous individuals as part of eligible entrepreneurial projects (up to 20% of total eligible project costs).
• Expenses necessary for the implementation of local economic development, including costs for developing strategic plans, inventorying community resources, and engaging/forming local economic development officers.
• All costs required to carry out social economy projects (for qualifying organizations), including salaries, professional fees, equipment, and operating expenses, as per the program limits.
• Direct costs of conducting activities under the program’s community action support, including personnel costs associated with core operations, production of required financial and activity reports, office material, local occupancy, technological and digital infrastructure, and facility maintenance.
• Expenditures directly linked to temporary project management staff hired specifically for infrastructure projects.
• Costs for professional services and salaries for personnel involved in coordination, support, training, research, proximity work, and related project activities under the social development stream.
• Workshop and training fees associated with social development activities.
• Transportation and travel expenses in accordance with Quebec government scales, for project purposes.
• Evaluation costs (e.g., surveys, intervention plans) relevant to eligible activities.
• Promotion and advertising costs for project-related activities.
• Fees for printing and distribution of documents related to eligible actions.
• Facility rental fees when necessary for project delivery.
• Material and supply expenses required for the delivery of eligible activities and services.
• Costs related to the preparation of financial documents and other reports required by funding agreements.
• Operational costs for setting up and maintaining consultation offices, as well as the production, preparation, writing, and translation of documents for consultation activities.
• Fees for specialists, travel, meeting and assembly costs, and participation in roundtables with partners (within the rates established by the Quebec government) for consultation activities.
• Purchase of community equipment necessary for infrastructure and project realization.
• Acquisition of information technology (IT) and related software/hardware, including training needed for use.
• Incidentals, professional fees, and costs related to temporary financing for infrastructure projects.
• For urban Indigenous services: salaries and benefits for direct service personnel, professional and miscellaneous fees, transport and translation costs, essential facility rental, and up to $30,000 per year for equipment and supply renewal or maintenance.
• For infrastructure stream: costs related to business contracts for eligible construction, management, professional analyses, and all expenses necessary for project realization as per standard accounting rules.
• Administrative costs directly related to a project or initiative (cannot exceed 10% of the financial support granted).

Eligible geographic areas

• Indigenous communities in Québec
• Urban environments within Québec where Indigenous people reside

• The program covers a five-year period from 2022-2023 to 2026-2027, with applications to be submitted by March 1, 2027 (where specified).
• Funding can be combined with other sources of government aid, but cumulative aid caps vary by program component (e.g., not exceeding 90%, 95%, or 100% of eligible expenses, depending on the component).
• For funding under $25,000, a simple letter of announcement is used; for funding above $25,000, a formal agreement outlining obligations and reporting requirements is mandatory.
• Interim advances may be available for organizations transitioning from previous editions of the fund, with a maximum of $60,000 as a temporary measure for 2022-2023.
• Specific competitive bidding (procurement) requirements apply to construction projects over certain thresholds, including the need for public or invitation-based calls for tenders.
• Applicants must maintain separate accounting for grant-funded projects and ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, regardless of funding level.
• Reporting requirements and expectations for financial statements depend on the cumulative annual funding received—ranging from audited financial statements to internal statements for smaller amounts.
• Projects with a collaborative element between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations are eligible for full participation if the Indigenous proponent maintains majority control and ownership.
• The program is managed by the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit (SRPNI). For any inquiries or submissions, applicants can contact financement_fia4@mce.gouv.qc.ca.
• Funding may be disbursed in instalments, with no more than 80% issued upfront, and final payments made only after satisfactory submission of all required documentation.
• If a previous government grant resulted in a default within the last two years, or if the applicant is listed in the Registry of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts, new aid may be denied.