Indigenous Innovation Initiative
Canada
Get funding to empower First Nation, Inuit and Metis innovators
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
- Grand Challenges Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Apply to the challenges and get funding to support innovative and scalable Indigenous-led ideas, to develop and test bold ideas from all sectors and industries.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
Funding for this grant supports innovative and scalable Indigenous-led projects focusing on sustainable solutions across various sectors. The modalities prioritize resource allocation and project impact assessment.
- Seed funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 is available for the development and testing of innovative ideas.
- Funding aims to bridge resource gaps by addressing the specific investment needs of Indigenous innovators.
- Positive outcomes align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects for this grant focus on supporting Indigenous-led innovations across various sectors, emphasizing sustainable solutions and social impact. The initiative welcomes diverse applications from businesses, organizations, and social enterprises dedicated to addressing community challenges.
- Development of innovative health products or services.
- Creation of social programs targeting community well-being.
- Arts and fashion projects that incorporate Indigenous culture and innovation.
- Advancements in technology to support Indigenous entrepreneurship.
- Scientific research addressing environmental and social issues.
- Business or industry initiatives enhancing economic participation.
- Projects ensuring food security within Indigenous communities.
- Hospitality and tourism innovations showcasing Indigenous heritage.
- Educational programs advocating for Indigenous knowledge and values.
- Justice-related initiatives promoting equity and access.
- Environmental and clean energy projects led by Indigenous innovators.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 180,000
Establishing a renewable energy project for Indigenous communities
$ 150,000
Developing a mobile app to support Indigenous language learning
$ 110,000
Launching a social enterprise focused on traditional crafts
$ 140,000
Launching an employment training program for Indigenous youth
$ 120,000
Creating a sustainable community garden to address food insecurity
$ 175,000
Implementing a digital health record system for Indigenous clinics
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and their proposed innovation's potential impact and scalability.
- The applicant must be an Indigenous innovator, which includes businesses, organizations, social enterprises, or groups developing innovative products, programs, or services led by and/or created by Indigenous Peoples.
- The innovation must be culturally safe and inspire ongoing community use.
- The innovation must be cost-effective.
- The project should have a strong likelihood of achieving long-term and sustainable impact in First Nation, Inuit, or Metis communities, including urban, rural, remote, and Northern areas.
- The innovation should have the potential to be scalable or adaptable to other Indigenous community settings.
- The applicant must be open to monitoring, measuring, and evaluating their innovation projects to create knowledge and learnings applicable within the Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- The applicant must demonstrate connections to Indigenous identity and community, which could include a "registration" with their respective Indigenous governance organization, a letter of support from a governance organization, a letter of nomination from an Indigenous community organization or group, or other relevant evidence of connection.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative offers seed funding for Indigenous innovators, which can be businesses, organizations, social enterprises, or groups focused on innovative product, program, or service development. This initiative focuses on Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, ensuring inclusivity beyond traditional registration status, supporting both status and non-status individuals and communities.To qualify, applicants should:- Be Indigenous innovators, including businesses, organizations, social enterprises, or groups.- Demonstrate a connection with Indigenous identity and community, which may involve registration with Indigenous governance organizations or endorsements from Indigenous community organizations.- Present a culturally safe, cost-effective innovation with the potential for long-term, sustainable impact across various Indigenous communities.- Have innovations that are scalable or adaptable to different Indigenous settings.- Be open to evaluating and sharing learnings from their innovation projects to contribute to the broader Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports Indigenous innovators in developing and testing bold ideas across diverse sectors. The eligible projects seek to address community challenges through innovative solutions.
- Innovative products, programs, or services across sectors such as health, technology, and arts.
- Projects focused on food security, hospitality, and tourism.
- Initiatives in education, justice, environment, and clean energy.
- Business and industry solutions with potential community impact.
- Social enterprises offering sustainable community solutions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is designed to support Indigenous innovators in various communities across Canada. The initiative aims to create a more inclusive economic ecosystem for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis innovators covering multiple geographic settings.
- Urban First Nation communities in Canada.
- Rural First Nation communities in Canada.
- Remote First Nation communities in Canada.
- Northern First Nation communities in Canada.
- Urban Inuit communities in Canada.
- Rural Inuit communities in Canada.
- Remote Inuit communities in Canada.
- Northern Inuit communities in Canada.
- Urban Metis communities in Canada.
- Rural Metis communities in Canada.
- Remote Metis communities in Canada.
- Northern Metis communities in Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the initiative’s objectives.
- Cultural safety and ability to inspire ongoing use within Indigenous communities.
- Cost-effectiveness of the proposed innovation.
- Potential for achieving a long-term and sustainable impact in First Nation, Inuit and/or Métis communities.
- Scalability or adaptability of the project to other Indigenous community settings.
- Willingness to engage in monitoring, measuring, and evaluating the innovation project for shared learning and application within the Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Preparation
- Ensure your project aligns with the Indigenous Innovation Initiative objectives.
- Assess and establish your Indigenous identity or community connection.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Prepare a detailed proposal outlining your innovative idea, objectives, and potential impact.
- Address how your innovation is culturally safe, cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable.
- Include plans for monitoring and evaluation of your project.
- Compile supporting documentation, such as letters of support or registration evidence.
- Step 3: Application Submission
- Submit your completed application through the designated application portal or via email, as directed by the Indigenous Innovation Initiative.
- Ensure all required documents and forms are uploaded and complete before submission.
- Step 4: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of your application.
- Keep this confirmation for future reference and follow-ups.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The initiative emphasizes the importance of cultural safety and the ongoing use of culturally appropriate practices in projects.
- Projects should have a potential for scalability and adaptability to various Indigenous community settings.
- There is a requirement for projects to be cost-effective and have a strong likelihood of achieving long-term and sustainable impacts.
- Successful applicants must demonstrate connections to Indigenous identity and community, which could include documentation such as registration or letters of support.
- Proposals are open to review, monitoring, and evaluation to create knowledge and learnings applicable to the broader Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
Apply to this program
Grant Summary
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative aims to support Indigenous innovators with seed funding to develop bold ideas that address economic and social challenges in Indigenous communities, fostering sustainable solutions and scalability while promoting inclusive and diverse Indigenous identities.
Grant Details
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative provides seed funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 for Indigenous innovators across various sectors. The initiative focuses on enhancing access to capital, building capacity through partnerships, cultivating networks, and driving interest in Indigenous-led innovation. Applicants are required to ensure cultural safety, cost-effectiveness, long-term impact, scalability, and evaluation of their projects to contribute to the Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
The initiative emphasizes an inclusive approach to Indigenous identity, acknowledging the impact of past colonial policies and racism. It supports innovation by and for Indigenous Peoples, irrespective of registration status, gender, or background, promoting accountability and transparency in project connections to Indigenous communities. The funding aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to drive impactful outcomes for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis peoples in Canada, promoting economic and social transformation through bold ideas for big impact.
Indigenous innovators are encouraged to apply with innovative products, programs, or services that offer sustainable solutions to community challenges. Successful applicants will be part of a supportive ecosystem that nurtures their talents, knowledge, skills, and networks to maximize their potential and create a more inclusive economic landscape for Indigenous innovators and entrepreneurs.
