Closed
Source verified August 10, 2026
Nation Building
Supports BC First Nations capacity initiatives
Get notified when this grant opens
Latest source updateLast Update: August 10, 2026Latest change: The Nation Building page now shows a hard close of July 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm and the application link now leads to an Application Closed page.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 10, 2026
Latest change: The Nation Building page now shows a hard close of July 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm and the application link now leads to an Application Closed page.
Nation Building application window closed
The Nation Building application window now shows a hard close of July 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm, replacing the earlier close condition of when funds are exhausted or by December 1, 2026. The application link also changed from the grant portal to an Application Closed page, so applicants can no longer proceed through the previous online application path.
Funding available
$ 120,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Nation Building Grant provides up to $60,000 for 1-year or $120,000 for 2-year awards to BC First Nations, BC Tribal Councils, and development corporations or organizations wholly owned and operated by a BC First Nation to support self-determined priorities. Eligible activities include governance capacity, legal frameworks, and community engagement.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 120,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects and activities that strengthen institutional, governance, and community capacities in reclaiming and rebuilding resiliency, self-determination, and sovereignty within each Nation’s context
- Land-use, strategic, community energy, and economic development plans
- Governance capacity, legal frameworks, and policy development
- Title, rights, and resource management strategies; custom election and membership codes; genealogy studies and records digitization
- Housing policies and community development planning; community safety, justice, and climate action strategies; habitat restoration and environmental feasibility studies; commercial development and business acquisition plans; digital tools and platforms for community engagement
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form
- Supporting information about the project concept
- Any required quotes for consulting or contractor costs of $15,000 or more
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- B.C. First Nations
- B.C. Tribal Councils
- Development Corporation/Organization wholly owned and operated by a BC First Nation
Eligible expenses
- Professional, legal, technical, and consulting fees
- Community engagement costs
- Supplies, materials, and equipment costs
- Capital materials and software acquisition
- Capacity development, training, mentorship, and knowledge sharing related to the project; other reasonable costs or incremental costs associated with the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Existing administration and overhead costs not associated directly to the project
- Existing staff wages, salaries, or top-ups or honorariums to employees
- Capital expenditures not directly related to a project
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Application completeness
- Nation-building concept or idea
- For two-year grants, projects that demonstrate a substantial workload and require significant effort
How to apply
- The Nation Building application is hosted on the NRT Grant Portal; click the link below or on the top right of the screen to create an NRT Portal Account.
Processing and Agreement
- NRT will validate applications upon submission based on organization and project eligibility, application completeness and nation-building concept or idea.
- Please allow up to 2 weeks after submitting a fully complete application to receive a funding decision.
- If you have completed your project, please download and complete the brief final report template and then send it to the contact listed on the form.
Additional information
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Specialist before applying if they want to confirm project eligibility.
- The application is submitted through the NRT Grant Portal.
- A final report template is available after project completion.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
grant_availability|periodsCount
Frequently Asked Questions about the Nation Building Program
What is the Nation Building?
The Nation Building Grant provides up to $60,000 for 1-year or $120,000 for 2-year awards to BC First Nations, BC Tribal Councils, and development corporations or organizations wholly owned and operated by a BC First Nation to support self-determined priorities. Eligible activities include governance capacity, legal frameworks, and community engagement.
How much funding can be received?
Nation Building Funds up to $120,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Nation Building program?
To be eligible for the Nation Building program, you must:
B.C. First Nations, B.C. Tribal Councils, or development corporations/organizations wholly owned and operated by a BC First Nation
Projects should strengthen institutional, governance, or community capacity
Projects should advance self-determination, resiliency, or sovereignty
What expenses are eligible under Nation Building?
Projects and activities that strengthen institutional, governance, and community capacities in reclaiming and rebuilding resiliency, self-determination, and sovereignty within each Nation’s context
Land-use, strategic, community energy, and economic development plans
Governance capacity, legal frameworks, and policy development
Title, rights, and resource management strategies; custom election and membership codes; genealogy studies and records digitization
Housing policies and community development planning; community safety, justice, and climate action strategies; habitat restoration and environmental feasibility studies; commercial development and business acquisition plans; digital tools and platforms for community engagement
Who can I contact for more information about the Nation Building?
You can contact New Relationship Trust (NRT) by email at nationbuilding@nrtf.ca.
Where is the Nation Building available?
The Nation Building program is available the province of British Columbia.
Who are the financial supporters of the Nation Building?
Nation Building is funded by New Relationship Trust (NRT)