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Source change captured:
Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding
Supports Indigenous community-led initiatives
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Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Location
Canada
Overview
Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund supports Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada to design and deliver community-led, Survivor-centric initiatives. Eligible activities include research, knowledge gathering, memorialization, commemorative work, field surveys, archaeological investigations, and repatriation-related activities.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Engage, coordinate, develop, and provide capacity support for initiatives
- Conduct research and knowledge gathering
- Memorialize and commemorate burial sites, unmarked graves, and Survivors
- Fieldwork investigation, identification, and repatriation of remains
- Field surveys and archaeological investigations to identify potential burial locations
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Workplan (Annex B)
- Detailed budget (Annex C)
- Cashflow forecast (Annex C)
- Letter of support from Chief and Council, Tribal Council/Organization
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Application window closed
The Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund now says the 2026-2027 application window is closed and that 2027-2028 details will be announced later.
The Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund now says the 2026-2027 application window is closed. It also says the 2027-2028 call for proposal process is being planned and that eligibility, timelines, and application deadlines will be announced later. The application instructions still direct applicants to read the program guidelines and contact the fund to request an application package and submit the required documentation, but the intake status has changed to closed.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nation, Métis, or Inuit communities
- Indigenous groups with a signed self-government agreement or modern treaty
- Indigenous organizations representing or providing services to Indigenous people, including national or regional Indigenous organizations
- Indigenous organization, ad hoc committee, or residential school Survivor group
- Indigenous non-governmental and voluntary association or organization, including non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, whose mandate aligns with program objectives; other non-Indigenous organization in formal partnership with one or more Indigenous community(ies) and/or Indigenous organization(s), ad hoc committee(s), or residential school Survivor group(s) in support of eligible initiatives
Who is not eligible
- Returning recipients who have not submitted all required reports for past and current contribution agreements that include Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Funding
Eligible expenses
- Ceremonies and Gatherings; Community Engagement Sessions / Workshops; Cultural and Emotional Supports; Meetings (Project Coordination, Advisory Council/Committee, Partners)
- Environmental and Search Technology Costs; Equipment; Research – Archival, Statement Gathering, Interviews
- Memorial / Commemorative spaces and markers; Professional and Consultant Fees, including Project-related Legal Fees; Promotion and Communication
- Rent and Utilities; Salaries (applicable to individuals working full time, part time, seasonal or contractual and are within the payroll system of the recipient); Travel (transportation, meals, and accommodation)
- Volunteer Participation Expenses; Administration (maximum: 10% of total contribution amount)
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs that are not directly related to your approved activities, including costs associated with land purchase, land acquisition, capital infrastructure projects, and building or fixing major buildings or other large capital projects
- Full-time paid elected leaders, employee benefits beyond normal practices, and salaries and other employment benefits of any elected officials
- Core funding / overhead costs, direct or indirect regular operations or administrative costs, costs related to ongoing activities normally carried out by staff, and regular office or day-to-day costs
- Litigation costs, including legal research activities, and costs incurred by individuals running for elected office
- Routine repair and maintenance costs, and purchase of motor vehicles and heavy equipment
Selection criteria
- Whether your initiative fits the objective of the program
- Whether your activities and budget match the eligible activities and cost types
- Whether the work can be done within the time you have and within the funding period
- Whether the amount you are asking for is reasonable and needed to do the work
- Whether the initiative can still move ahead if the program can only offer partial funding, whether your team has the capacity to lead the work, and whether program authorities and available funding allow it, including maximum amounts, stacking limits, unspent funding related to the same activity, and realistic cash needs for the fiscal year
How to apply
- Complete, sign and date an application package, including the application form, workplan, detailed budget, and cashflow forecast.
- Attach all required supporting documents.
- Submit the application by email to enfants_disparus-missing_children@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- The program team will confirm receipt of your application by email within two business days.
- A Program Officer will review your application package and may contact you to set up an introductory meeting about your initiative.
- Following the meeting, the Program Officer will review the workplan and budget to ensure they align with the program terms and conditions.
- The Program Officer may request additional information and clarification.
- If you have an existing agreement with CIRNAC or Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the program will initiate an amendment to your existing agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding Program
What is the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding?
Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund supports Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada to design and deliver community-led, Survivor-centric initiatives. Eligible activities include research, knowledge gathering, memorialization, commemorative work, field surveys, archaeological investigations, and repatriation-related activities.
How much funding can be received?
Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding Funds up to $3,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding program?
To be eligible for the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding program, you must:
The initiative must be linked to a former residential school listed in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement or the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
The initiative must support community-led, Survivor-driven work to locate, document, and honour missing children and burial sites.
Eligible work can include research and knowledge gathering, memorialization, and fieldwork investigation and repatriation of remains.
What expenses are eligible under Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding?
Ceremonies and Gatherings; Community Engagement Sessions / Workshops; Cultural and Emotional Supports; Meetings (Project Coordination, Advisory Council/Committee, Partners)
Environmental and Search Technology Costs; Equipment; Research – Archival, Statement Gathering, Interviews
Memorial / Commemorative spaces and markers; Professional and Consultant Fees, including Project-related Legal Fees; Promotion and Communication
Rent and Utilities; Salaries (applicable to individuals working full time, part time, seasonal or contractual and are within the payroll system of the recipient); Travel (transportation, meals, and accommodation)
Volunteer Participation Expenses; Administration (maximum: 10% of total contribution amount)
Who can I contact for more information about the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding?
You can contact Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) by email at enfants_disparus-missing_children@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.
Where is the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding available?
The Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding program is available across Canada.
Is the Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding is a Grant and Funding