undefined
Indigenous Innovation Initiative - Canada

Indigenous Innovation Initiative

Last Update: July 29, 2025
Canada
Get funding to empower First Nation, Inuit and Metis innovators

Indigenous Innovation Initiative at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • From $100,000 to $250,000
Timeline
  • Receipt of requests is now closed
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • 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 Providers
  • Grand Challenges Canada
Program status
Closed

Overview of the Indigenous Innovation Initiative program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Seed funding available from $100,000 to $250,000 per project to support development and testing of innovative ideas.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Development and testing of innovative products, programs, or services led by Indigenous businesses, organizations, or groups.
  • Implementation of sustainable solutions to address social, economic, or environmental challenges within Indigenous communities.
  • Projects supporting impact in areas such as health, social development, arts and fashion, technology, science, business, industry, food security, hospitality and tourism, education, justice, environment, or clean energy.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 180,000

Establishing a renewable energy project for Indigenous communities

$ 175,000

Implementing a digital health record system for Indigenous clinics

$ 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

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous Innovation Initiative program

  • The applicant must be an Indigenous business, organization, social enterprise, or group developing innovative products, programs, or services.
  • The project must be Indigenous-led or created by and/or for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), including status and non-status individuals, registered and unregistered Métis, and Inuit beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries.
  • The project must be culturally safe, cost-effective, and demonstrate potential for long-term, sustainable impact in Indigenous communities.
  • The project should have the potential to be scalable or adaptable to other Indigenous community settings.
  • Applicants must be open to monitoring, measuring, and evaluating their innovation projects, and provide evidence of connection to Indigenous identity and community.

Who is eligible?

  • Health sector businesses and organizations
  • Social sector entities
  • Arts and fashion sector groups
  • Technology and science initiatives
  • Businesses and organizations in hospitality, tourism, education, justice, environment, food security, business, and clean energy

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.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Urban, rural, remote and Northern First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous Innovation Initiative program

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.

How to apply to the Indigenous Innovation Initiative program

1
Preliminary Preparation
  • Ensure your project aligns with the Indigenous Innovation Initiative objectives.
  • Assess and establish your Indigenous identity or community connection.
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.
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.
4
Confirmation of Submission
  • Receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of your application.
  • Keep this confirmation for future reference and follow-ups.

Additional information

  • The Initiative aligns its objectives with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Successful applicants may be required to provide evidence of their connection to Indigenous identity and community, such as letters of support or registration documents.
  • The program celebrates and shares the successes of funded projects to inspire broader Indigenous innovation.
  • The Initiative emphasizes inclusivity for all Indigenous Peoples, including those not registered with governance organizations.

Documents and links

Indigenous Innovation Initiative

Contact Grand Challenges Canada

info@indigenousinnovate.org
Apply to this program

More grants like this

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Financial support for technology innovations
Funding for customized AI training
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Canada
Digital Intelligence Training Grants for Canadian Businesses
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpen
Canada
Strategic Innovation Fund supports transformative Canadian economic investments
AI-Powered Supply Chains Cluster (Scale AI)
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Funding to enhance supply chains with AI
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Employment Program (YEP)
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Canada
Money to hire a student
Creative Export Canada (CEC)  — Export-Ready Stream
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Funding for Canadian creative industry exports
CFIN Innovation Booster
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Funding to advance and commercialize food innovation
Explore and Create — Concept to Realization
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Financial support for creative projects
ISED — Artificial intelligence (AI)
Open
Canada
Supports testing innovative AI prototypes for Canadian government needs
International outreach — Travel
Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Canada
Empower Canadian artists and arts organizations to expand global connections and opportunities