
Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage
Last Update: January 24, 2025
Canada
Preserve and support Indigenous heritage
Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $200,000
Timeline
- Open Date : September 5, 2023
- Closing date : November 1, 2023
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
- Canadian Heritage
- Government of Canada
Status
Closed
Overview of the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program
Maximum funding per fiscal year of $200,000 for projects related to the preservation, management and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant assists eligible organizations in preserving Indigenous cultural heritage through structured financial support, although specific financing modalities are not explicitly detailed in the available documentation. It aims to prioritize projects that directly benefit Indigenous communities.
- The funding is specifically for projects related to preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage.
- Priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations or those demonstrating partnerships with Indigenous heritage groups.
- While detailed funding structures like co-financing ratios or payment schedules are not specified, the program emphasizes collaboration and direct community impact.
- Applications may be considered outside the regular funding cycle under exceptional circumstances, suggesting some flexibility in timing or funding allocation.
Eligible projects & activities
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:
$ 200,000
Creation of an Indigenous cultural center
$ 180,000
Management of Indigenous heritage sites
$ 200,000
Restoration of Indigenous artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology
$ 200,000
Traveling exhibition on Indigenous art and culture
$ 150,000
Presentation of Métis traditions
$ 120,000
Development of educational programs on Inuit heritage
Eligibility criteria of the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program
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.
Eligibility criteria of the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program
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 to the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program
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.
Apply to this program

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