Strategic Partnerships Initiative

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Strategic Partnerships Initiative is a Partnering and Collaboration

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

Strategic Partnerships Initiative is funded by Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program?

To be eligible for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program, you must: • Indigenous businesses, organizations, partnerships, and joint ventures

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at IPS-SPI@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative available?

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program.

Last Update: August 7, 2025

Canada

Supports Indigenous economic development through coordinated federal partnerships

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Utilities
Transportation and warehousing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) provides up to $14.45 million annually to support Indigenous participation in economic development through investments in business development, infrastructure, feasibility studies, and workforce training. The program funds multi-year, multi-community projects aimed at fostering economic growth and supporting clean energy initiatives within Indigenous communities.

Financing terms and conditions

Annual program budget of $14.45 million for supporting priority economic development initiatives.
Additional $12 million per year available until 2027 specifically for regional clean energy projects in Indigenous communities.

Activities funded

Identification and development of business and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Expansion and growth of Indigenous-owned businesses and joint ventures.
Development of economic infrastructure supporting regional and community needs.
Community economic development planning and feasibility studies.
Workforce skills development and training initiatives for economic participation.

Eligibility

The applicant must be an Indigenous business, organization, partnership, or joint venture.
Eligible participants also include Indigenous communities, local governments, academic institutions, or provincial and territorial governments.
The project must foster economic development, such as economic readiness, infrastructure development, business expansion, feasibility studies, environmental evaluations, community economic development planning, or workforce skills development and training.

Who is eligible?

Indigenous businesses
Indigenous organizations
Indigenous partnerships and joint ventures
Indigenous communities and local governments
Academic institutions

Eligible expenses

Economic infrastructure development costs.
Expenses related to business expansion and growth.
Costs for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
Environmental diagnostic and evaluation expenses.
Community economic development planning costs.
Workforce skills development and training expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada
All Canadian provinces and territories
Rural and remote communities in Canada

How to apply

Identify economic development opportunity

Federal partners work with Indigenous communities and partners to identify promising economic development opportunities
Focus on business, infrastructure, or clean energy initiatives aligned with SPI priorities

Review and assess opportunity

Opportunities identified are reviewed and assessed in collaboration with federal partners
Projects must address gaps or needs not covered by existing programs

Submit for committee approval

Opportunities are submitted for approval to an interdepartmental investment committee
Committee evaluates whether the proposed initiatives align with SPI goals

Implement approved project

Upon approval, project implementation begins under the leadership of a federal partner
Resources and expertise are shared among partners

Additional information

SPI promotes collaboration among at least two federal departments for each initiative.
Initiatives are intended to benefit multiple communities and support regional economic growth over several years.
Additional annual funding is available until 2027 specifically for clean energy projects within Indigenous communities.
SPI simplifies access to government support through a single streamlined process involving multiple federal partners.

Contacts

IPS-SPI@sac-isc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

Identification and development of business and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. Expansion and growth of Indigenous-owned businesses and joint ventures. Development of economic infrastructure supporting regional and community needs. Community economic development planning and feasibility studies. Workforce skills development and training initiatives for economic participation.