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Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model - Canada
Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model

Supports First Nations language revitalization
Offered by
Canadian Heritage
Official source: canada.ca

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Funding available
$ 300,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply

First Nations organizations or groups within Canada, in good standing

See full eligibility

Overview

The First Nations Languages Funding Model — Indigenous Languages Component supports First Nations organizations and groups in Canada with up to 100% of eligible expenses to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen First Nations languages. It funds language plans, immersion activities, training, community engagement, research, resource development, and language program administration.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 300,000 $
  • Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Language programs and services, including language plan development, immersion activities, language nests, mentor-apprentice programming and land-based learning.
  • Capacity building and training, including curriculum development, leadership development and teacher training.
  • Community engagement, including promotion and awareness, conferences and gatherings, and planning.
  • Community-led research and studies, including language community assessments and data development.
  • Resource development, including documentation and archiving, instructor resources, language templates and tools, and audiovisual and multimedia materials.
  • Management and administration for language programming and services, including communication, consultation and coordination.

Documents Needed

  • Supporting documents required in the Application Checklist (Annex A), General Application Form (Annex B), Organization Overview (Annex C), Summary (Annex D), Declaration and Attestation (Annex E), and Budget (Annex F)
  • Development of a Language plan (Appendix 1), if applying for the development of a language plan, and Project or Ongoing Programmatic Activities & Resources (Appendix 2)
  • Project Activities/Resources Funding (Appendix 2), Ongoing Programmatic Funding (Appendix 3), and a language plan or work plan

Official resources

Official page

First Nations Languages Funding Model - Indigenous Languages Component

Program guide

Application Guidelines - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model

Indigenous Languages Component - onboarding process for First Nations Regionally Designated Organizations

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • First Nations organizations or groups within Canada, in good standing
  • First Nations governments or equivalent organizations and their delegated authorities
  • First Nations-led institutions, including accredited programs
  • First Nations-led not-for-profit organizations
  • For the annual and multi-year project stream: First Nations ad hoc groups formed for a specific language work plan and First Nations for-profit organizations, provided the activities will not result in income generation for their sole benefit

Who is not eligible

  • Organizations that are not owned and controlled by First Nations persons.
  • Companies whose primary purpose is commercial enterprise or income generation for their sole benefit.
  • Organizations focused on broadcasting or media production as their main operation.
  • Businesses seeking funding for core educational programming (Pre-school to Post-Secondary), major construction, or large-scale renovations.
  • Entities with compliance or standing issues with the Department of Canadian Heritage (such as unresolved past funding or late reports).

Eligible expenses

  • Start-up costs for organizations supporting First Nations language reclamation and revitalization.
  • Salaries and employee benefits for roles directly related to the project.
  • Stipends, allowances, or honoraria for participation in courses or activities (in exceptional circumstances).
  • Travel expenses (within government-permitted rates) related to project activities.
  • Professional development and training program costs.
  • Meeting expenses connected to funded activities.
  • Rent and utilities related to program activities.
  • Photocopying and printing services associated with project delivery.
  • Translation and communications expenses for program needs.
  • Professional, consulting, and Elder fees for services rendered.
  • Equipment rental, service, and purchase.
  • Information technology costs, including hardware and software purchase or upgrades.
  • Minor renovation expenses tied to promotional language activities.
  • Project supplies and resource materials directly related to the funded activities.
  • General liability insurance necessary for project implementation.
  • Administrative costs such as bookkeeping, office supplies, telephone, utilities, postage and courier fees, rent for office space, audit, legal, and translation (administrative costs may not exceed 15% of total approved funding).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • capital construction and major (high cost) renovation
  • salaries and honoraria for Board of members in the delivery of regular operations
  • pre-school, Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary Education core funding
  • Core operational costs associated with broadcasting of radio, television and programming
  • start-up and operational costs for commercial enterprises, and support for the development of cultural and professional industries; contingency and miscellaneous fees; and deficit recovery

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Selection criteria

  • The First Nations Review Committee will prioritize First Nations governments and equivalent organizations and their delegated authorities.

How to apply

  • Read the application guidelines in their entirety.
  • Contact the Indigenous Languages Program to request an application package.
  • If you are in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Nova Scotia, contact the First Nations Regionally Designated Organization in your region; applicants in regions without a Regionally Designated Organization submit directly to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  • Complete Annex B, Annex C, Annex D, Annex F, and Appendix 1, 2 or 3, as applicable.
  • Sign the Declaration and Attestation (Annex E) and attach all required supporting documents listed in Annex A.
  • Submit the complete application package electronically to autochtone-indigenous@pch.gc.ca.

Processing and Agreement

  • An applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding.
  • The First Nation Review Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to Canadian Heritage.
  • Ongoing programmatic funding applicants could be considered and assessed under the annual or multi-year proposal-based stream.

Additional information

  • Recipients must publicly acknowledge the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications and promotional materials.
  • Canadian Heritage reserves the right to audit recipients and require them to retain relevant records for five years.
  • Applicants are required to comply with conflict of interest guidelines, including having a publicly available policy if managing regional adjudication or administration of funding.
  • Funding decisions are final, and evaluations can result in feedback from the review committee for unsuccessful applications.

Contacts

autochtone-indigenous@pch.gc.ca
819-934-1405

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model Program

What is the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model?

The First Nations Languages Funding Model — Indigenous Languages Component supports First Nations organizations and groups in Canada with up to 100% of eligible expenses to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen First Nations languages. It funds language plans, immersion activities, training, community engagement, research, resource development, and language program administration.

How much funding can be received?

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $300,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model program?

To be eligible for the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model program, you must: First Nations organizations or groups within Canada, in good standing First Nations governments or equivalent organizations, First Nations-led institutions, and First Nations-led not-for-profit organizations Annual and multi-year stream: First Nations ad hoc groups and First Nations for-profit organizations when the activities will not result in income generation for their sole benefit; ongoing programmatic stream: long-term language plan or work plan and at least 2 years of experience in First Nations languages revitalization services

What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model?

Language programs and services, including language plan development, immersion activities, language nests, mentor-apprentice programming and land-based learning. Capacity building and training, including curriculum development, leadership development and teacher training. Community engagement, including promotion and awareness, conferences and gatherings, and planning. Community-led research and studies, including language community assessments and data development. Resource development, including documentation and archiving, instructor resources, language templates and tools, and audiovisual and multimedia materials. Management and administration for language programming and services, including communication, consultation and coordination.

Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model?

You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at autochtone-indigenous@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-934-1405.

Where is the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model available?

The Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model program is available across Canada.

Is the Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - First Nations Languages Funding Model is a Grant and Funding