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Source verified July 11, 2026
Residential Schools Missing Children - Community Support Funding
Supports Indigenous community-led initiatives
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
- 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
- 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
- Detailed budget
- Cashflow forecast
- Letter of support from Chief and Council, Tribal Council/Organization
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities
- Indigenous groups with a signed self-government agreement or modern treaty
- Indigenous organizations representing or providing services to Indigenous peoples, including national or regional Indigenous organizations, Indigenous organizations, special committees, or residential school Survivor groups
- Indigenous non-governmental and voluntary associations, including not-for-profit organizations whose mandates align with the program objectives
- Other non-Indigenous organizations with a formal partnership with one or more Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, special committees, or residential school Survivor groups
Eligible expenses
- Ceremonies and Gatherings
- Community Engagement Sessions / Workshops
- Cultural and Emotional Supports
- Environmental and Search Technology Costs
- Equipment
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs associated with land purchase, land acquisition, and capital infrastructure projects
- Core funding, overhead costs, direct or indirect regular operations or administrative costs, and costs related to ongoing activities normally carried out by staff
- Litigation costs, including legal research activities
- Purchase of motor vehicles and heavy equipment
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.
Additional information
- The program team will confirm receipt of your application via email within two business days.
- A Program Officer will review your initiative and may request additional information and clarification.
- For application processing time, contact enfants_disparus-missing_children@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.
- If you have an existing agreement with CIRNAC or Indigenous Services Canada, 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 covered by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement or the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
Non-Indigenous organizations must be in formal partnership with one or more Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, ad hoc committees, or residential school Survivor groups.
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