Closed
Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage
Last Update: March 12, 2026
Canada
Preserve and support Indigenous heritage
Grant and Funding
Overview
Maximum funding per fiscal year of $200,000 for projects related to the preservation, management and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : November 3, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Activities funded
The Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage focuses on supporting projects that aid in the preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada. Funding prioritizes engaging Indigenous communities and organizations to conduct these meaningful heritage projects.
- Projects that enhance preservation techniques of Indigenous cultural heritage items.
- Initiatives aimed at better management of Indigenous heritage collections.
- Efforts in presenting Indigenous cultural heritage to broader audiences.
- Collaborations between Indigenous and heritage organizations to support Indigenous community objectives.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 180,000
Management of Indigenous heritage sites
$ 200,000
Creation of an Indigenous cultural center
$ 200,000
Traveling exhibition on Indigenous art and culture
$ 150,000
Presentation of Métis traditions
$ 200,000
Restoration of Indigenous artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology
$ 120,000
Development of educational programs on Inuit heritage
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements that applicants must meet in one of three defined categories.
- Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage.
- Museums associations and incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations, whose membership relates to the museum sector, which:
- provide services to the public year-round;
- employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff;
- have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.
- Incorporated non-profit Canadian museums which:
- provide services to the public year-round;
- employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff;
- have policies for key museum functions;
- have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must meet the criteria in one of three categories: Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage. OR Museums associations and incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations, whose membership relates to the museum sector, which: - Provide services to the public year-round; - Employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff; - Have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan. OR Incorporated non-profit Canadian museumsFootnote 1 which: - Provide services to the public year-round; - Employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff; - Have policies for key museum functions; - Have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.Funding priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations and conducted for the benefit of Indigenous communities. Applications submitted by other heritage organizations are considered when a partnership with an Indigenous heritage group is demonstrated.Who is not eligible
Ineligibility for this grant is primarily based on the governance level and federal status of organizations. Restrictions ensure that funding aligns with the program's heritage and cultural objectives.
- Federal departments, Crown corporations, and agencies.
Eligible expenses
This grant supports projects dedicated to the preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada. Activities must align with the goal of benefiting Indigenous communities through enhanced heritage initiatives.
- Projects focused on the preservation and protection of Indigenous cultural heritage.
- Initiatives aimed at managing Indigenous heritage resources effectively.
- Exhibitions or presentations designed to showcase Indigenous cultural heritage.
- Collaborative projects between Indigenous organizations and other heritage organizations.
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Relevance of the project to Indigenous cultural heritage preservation and presentation
- Clarity and feasibility of the project proposal
- Demonstrated benefit to Indigenous communities
- Evidence of partnership with Indigenous groups for non-Indigenous organization applications
How to apply
1
Review Guidelines
Consult the Application Guidelines – Indigenous Heritage thoroughly to understand requirements.
2
Contact Regional Office
Reach out to the nearest regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage to discuss your project.
3
Prepare Application
- Gather all necessary documents including your organization’s strategic/business plan if applicable.
- Ensure any partnership with Indigenous heritage groups is documented if required.
4
Submit Application
- Access the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal.
- Complete the online application form with accurate project details and required attachments.
- Submit all application materials by November 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
5
Follow-Up
- Contact the Museums Assistance Program or regional office if you need assistance or clarification on the process.
- Consider reaching out for status updates if not contacted within a reasonable timeframe.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Funding priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations for the benefit of Indigenous communities.
- Other heritage organizations can apply if they demonstrate a partnership with an Indigenous heritage group.
- Under exceptional circumstances, applications may be considered outside the regular funding cycle, subject to fund availability.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact their nearest regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage to discuss their project before applying.
- Agents are available to assist with queries from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
