Open
Source verified August 20, 2026
Research and Learning Program
Supports First Nations education research projects
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Northwest Territories, Yukon, Canada
Overview
Research and Learning Program provides $1.3 million annually to First Nations, bands, tribal councils, designated education organizations, and recipients in Yukon and Northwest Territories to support research improving student outcomes. Eligible work includes collaboration, sharing learnings, and research using Indigenous methodologies, with costs like salaries and honoraria.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Northwest Territories, Yukon
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Collaboration that expands evidence-based practices in Indigenous education between researchers, educators, Elders or Knowledge Keepers, students and other community members.
- Sharing education-related learnings among First Nations education partners.
- Evaluating innovative approaches to education programming, including projects funded by the Innovation in Education Program.
- Research activities that increase understanding of education and use Indigenous research methodologies such as community-based, action-based, relational, process-oriented, adaptive and narrative-based approaches.
Documents Needed
- A separate work plan for any project that extends beyond March 31, 2027.
Official resources
Eligibility
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 incurred as a direct result of participating in an eligible activity not already covered by elementary and secondary program funding.
- Learning materials, materials and equipment purchases or rentals, printing and publishing costs including online publishing costs, facility rentals, hospitality, curriculum and instructional materials development costs, and diagnostic, testing and evaluation tools.
- Funding for liaison with First Nations education and community service providers, provincial service providers, education organizations, and administration costs such as regional program processes, clerical support, office supplies, data 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 rates and allowances established in the National Joint Council Travel Directive in effect at the time of travel.
Eligible geographic areas
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
How to apply
- Submit detailed proposals electronically.
- Follow the instructions in the 2026 to 2027 Research and Learning Program guidelines.
- If you have access to ISC's services portal, use the electronic form by opening a session on the portal.
- If you do not have access to the portal, contact your regional office to get access.
- Ensure the form is fully complete, all mandatory fields are filled in, and all documents are attached to the supporting documents section in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format.
- If your project extends beyond March 31, 2027, provide a separate work plan detailing the objectives and costs per fiscal year and attach it in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format.
Processing and Agreement
- First Nations partners drive the development or selection of costed proposals, and final decisions regarding the release of funds may be made together by First Nations and ISC when total project costs are lower than the total program budget allocation.
- Reporting requirements such as program reports and financial reports, and their due dates, are listed in the recipient's funding agreement.
- Recipients must report on all funds received and expended, including any unexpended funding retained for use in another fiscal year.
- Audits, evaluations, and targeted program or strategy reviews may be conducted in collaboration with the recipient.
- Individuals who assisted in preparing the proposal, are employees of the applicant, provided consulting services, will be team members, or are relatives or close friends of the management team cannot participate in the evaluation of a proposal.
Additional information
- The program is regionally based and supports First Nations-led organizations that manage and oversee First Nations education research projects.
- The guidelines were initially developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and the National Indian Education Council.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Research and Learning Program Program
What is the Research and Learning Program?
Research and Learning Program provides $1.3 million annually to First Nations, bands, tribal councils, designated education organizations, and recipients in Yukon and Northwest Territories to support research improving student outcomes. Eligible work includes collaboration, sharing learnings, and research using Indigenous methodologies, with costs like salaries and honoraria.
Who is eligible for the Research and Learning Program program?
To be eligible for the Research and Learning Program program, you must:
The project must be a research project that contributes to educational initiatives positively impacting First Nations students and their educational outcomes.
What expenses are eligible under Research and Learning Program?
Collaboration that expands evidence-based practices in Indigenous education between researchers, educators, Elders or Knowledge Keepers, students and other community members.
Sharing education-related learnings among First Nations education partners.
Evaluating innovative approaches to education programming, including projects funded by the Innovation in Education Program.
Research activities that increase understanding of education and use Indigenous research methodologies such as community-based, action-based, relational, process-oriented, adaptive and narrative-based approaches.
Who can I contact for more information about the Research and Learning Program?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Where is the Research and Learning Program available?
The Research and Learning Program program is available the province of Northwest Territories, Yukon.
Is the Research and Learning Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Research and Learning Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Research and Learning Program?
Research and Learning Program is funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)