Indigenous Innovation Initiative
At a glance
- From 100,000$ to 250,000$
- Unspecified
- All industries
- Grand Challenges Canada
Overview
Eligibility criteria
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative offers funding opportunities for Indigenous innovators who demonstrate a commitment to creating sustainable impact in their communities. Eligibility criteria for this grant include:
- Projects must be culturally safe and cost-effective
- Applicants should have a strong potential for long-term impact in Indigenous communities
- Ideas should be scalable and adaptable to various Indigenous settings
- Applicants must be open to monitoring and evaluating their projects for knowledge sharing
Who is eligible
Indigenous innovators who are businesses, organizations, social enterprises, or groups developing innovative products, programs, or services are eligible for this grant. Indigenous social innovators offering sustainable solutions to community challenges are also encouraged to apply.
- Businesses
- Organizations
- Social enterprises
- Groups developing innovative products, programs, or services
- Indigenous social innovators offering sustainable solutions
Eligible expenses
The Indigenous Innovation Initiative provides funding support for Indigenous innovators to develop and test their bold ideas, with seed funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. Eligible expenses for this grant may include but are not limited to:
- Research and development costs
- Prototype development
- Pilot project implementation
- Marketing and promotion expenses
- Technology or equipment purchases
- Training and capacity building
- Operational expenses related to the innovation project
Eligible projects & activities
There are eligible projects and activities for this grant, including but not limited to:
- Developing innovative products, programs, or services
- Offering sustainable solutions to address community challenges
- Supporting outcomes aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
Eligible geographic areas
There are specific eligible geographic areas for this grant.
- Urban
- Rural
- Remote
- Northern First Nation
- Inuit communities
- Metis communities
Evaluation & selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Be culturally safe and inspire ongoing use
- Be cost-effective
- Have a strong likelihood of achieving a long-term and sustainable impact in urban, rural, remote, and Northern Indigenous communities
- Have the potential to be scalable or adaptable to other Indigenous community settings
- Be open to monitoring, measuring, and evaluating innovation projects
How to apply
- Step 1: Check the eligibility criteria for the grant
- Step 2: Prepare all required documents and information
- Step 3: Fill out the application form with accurate details
- Step 4: Submit the application before the deadline
- Step 5: Await notification regarding the status of your application
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.
