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|projects
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
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$180,000
Edmonton
Establishing a renewable energy project for Indigenous communities
$110,000
Halifax
Launching a social enterprise focused on traditional crafts
$175,000
Ottawa
Implementing a digital health record system for Indigenous clinics
$140,000
Vancouver
Launching an employment training program for Indigenous youth
$150,000
Toronto
Developing a mobile app to support Indigenous language learning
$120,000
Winnipeg
Creating a sustainable community garden to address food insecurity
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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
grant_eligibility_criteria|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
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
There are specific eligible geographic areas for this grant.
- Urban
- Rural
- Remote
- Northern First Nation
- Inuit communities
- Metis communities
grant_single_labels|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
grant_single_labels|register
- 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
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.
