Closed
Source verified August 12, 2026
Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding
Supports Indigenous community-led initiatives
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Latest source updateLast Update: August 25, 2026Latest change: The 2026-2027 application window for the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund is now closed, and 2027-2028 planning will be announced later.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 25, 2026
Latest change: The 2026-2027 application window for the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund is now closed, and 2027-2028 planning will be announced later.
Application window closed
The Program Guidelines now say the 2026-2027 application window is closed and that planning is underway for the 2027-2028 call for proposals. Eligibility, timelines, and application deadlines will be announced later. The related forms category page also now shows the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Funding Request form and instructions for opening the PDF forms, replacing the previous generic forms listing for this grant.
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
Unspecified
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
Get notified about updates to this grant.
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
2
Validate your eligibility
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
Official resources
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 the application by email within two business days.
- A Program Officer will review the initiative and may request additional information and clarification.
- Complete applications received before 15 June will receive a decision by mid-August.
- Complete applications received before 15 August will receive a decision by mid-October.
- If you already have an agreement with CIRNAC or Indigenous Services Canada, the program will initiate an amendment to your existing agreement.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
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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?
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
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