Innovation in Education Program

Who is eligible?

• First Nations or bands.
• Tribal councils, political or treaty or settlement organizations.
• Other First Nations education organizations designated by First Nations, including school boards, First Nations education authorities, and First Nations regional representative organizations.
• Recipients in Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, fees, tobacco and honoraria for professional services, including researchers, language professionals, advisors, Elders, and guest speakers.
• Salaries, benefits and wages for employees; transportation and accommodation costs for eligible participants; learning materials, including land-based education materials; materials and equipment purchases or rentals; printing and publishing costs; facility rentals; and hospitality.
• Curriculum and instructional materials development costs; diagnostic, testing and evaluation tools; professional services; and professional development and support activities.
• Costs associated with coordination of region-wide education programs and services, including program modification or adaptation, and liaison with First Nations education and community service providers, provincial service providers, and education organizations.
• Administration costs such as management of regional program processes, clerical support, office supplies, data collection and reporting, and safeguarding personal information.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Purchase or construction of a building.
• Activities related to minor or major capital projects and teacherages funded under ISC's Capital and Facilities Maintenance Program.
• Operations and maintenance activities.
• Expenditures funded through ongoing regular programs.
• Travel expenses that exceed the National Joint Council Travel Directive rates and allowances in effect at the time of travel.

• Submit a detailed proposal electronically.
• Use the ISC electronic application form through the services portal if you have access.
• Contact your regional office to get access to the portal if needed.
• Include the proposal title, educational themes, activities, costs, expected outcomes, and how the activity will fulfill at least 1 program objective.
• Describe how the organization will contribute to sustaining and sharing the story of the successful pilot activity.
• Ensure the form is fully complete, all mandatory fields are filled, and any supporting documents are attached in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format.

• First Nations partners drive the development or selection of costed proposals.
• If the total costs of identified projects are lower than the total program budget allocation, final decisions regarding the release of funds are made together by First Nations and ISC.
• Funding decisions are determined on a regional basis according to regional office and First Nations schedules.
• Recipients must report on all funds received and expended, including unexpended funding retained for another fiscal year.
• Audits, evaluations, and targeted program or strategy reviews may be conducted in collaboration with the recipient.

• The guidelines were developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and the National Indian Education Council.
• The program replaces the Innovation Activities Program offered under the discontinued New Paths for Education.
• The program is one of several contribution programs that complement Indigenous Services Canada’s funding efforts toward First Nations elementary and secondary education.