Current Funding Opportunities
Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate
The Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate webpage includes a box titled “Funding for Indigenous Peoples.”
Indigenous Climate Funding
The link found above via the “Find funding program” button takes the user to the Indigenous Climate Funding webpage. Through this webpage, the user can filter through the various funding programs by distinction, type of program, ongoing intake, and topic.
Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund
About NICI
Delivered by three of Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs); the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), the Canadian Economic Development for Quebec regions (CED) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), NICI provides nearly $15 million over three years for community-led projects that benefit local and Indigenous food production systems, with an emphasis on innovative and practical solutions to increase food security across the North. In the territories, the NICI Fund has a budget of $9 million in financial assistance to support a variety of projects through the following streams:
- Support to Businesses and Entrepreneurs
This stream provides funding to businesses seeking to start or expand production, processing and distribution of food using practical approaches. - Support to Northern Food Systems and Ecosystems
This stream supports initiatives that strengthen local and regional food supply chains. - Support for Northern Food Innovation
This stream provides funding for Indigenous projects, community-led initiatives and other projects that deploy innovative technologies, techniques, or approaches to food systems to improve local or regional food security and/or sovereignty.
Who Should Apply?
NICI supports food and agriculture-related businesses, as well as other public or private organizations, with an emphasis on ensuring fair access to funding for Inuit Nunangat, which includes the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (northern Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador). It also services all regions in the territories. Investments strengthen new and existing food-related initiatives with the goal of improving and diversifying economic activity in the territories.
Eligibility
NICI is open to a wide-variety of organizations, including not-for-profit groups, academic institutions, industry associations, local or Indigenous governments, and for-profit businesses. It is also open to provincial and territorial governments.
Eligible activities should focus on ideas that strengthen northern food systems, improve local food production, reduce barriers to food access, provide skills training and capacity building for local and Indigenous food producers, or that focus on innovation.
For More Information
If you have a project or an idea you would like to discuss, contact your CanNor regional office to explore possible funding options.
Find out more on the Northern Food Innovation Challenge funded through an earlier version of the NICI program.
Information Source: Government of Canada, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Our Programs and Services, Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund.
Links for Regional Development Agency (CanNor) – Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Funding Pages:
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) – Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund
- In the territories, the NICI Fund has a budget of $9 million in financial assistance to support a variety of projects through three streams:
-
- Support to Businesses and Entrepreneurs
- Support to Northern Food Systems and Ecosystems
- Support for Northern Food Innovation
https://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1608663726079/1608663750441
Canadian Economic Development for Quebec regions (CED) – Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund
- In Quebec, the targeted territory is Nunavik.
- CED will receive $4.08M to deliver the initiative in Quebec in collaboration with other federal, provincial, and regional partners, and to help develop solutions to local and regional food security challenges.
https://ced.canada.ca/en/funding/northern-isolated-community-initiatives-nici-fund/
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) – Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund
- In Atlantic Canada, the targeted territory is Nunatsiavut.
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will deliver $1.773 million to support a variety of projects that benefit Inuit Nunangat communities in the Nunatsiavut region of Labrador to help develop solutions to local and regional food security challenges.
Energy InSites – Accelerating Indigenous Community Energy Retrofits (AB, SK, MB, NT)
About – Energy InSites is a building retrofit program that reduces energy consumption and emissions from existing buildings in Indigenous communities. The program creates local energy champions through educational and capacity-building support to increase energy and emissions knowledge in Indigenous communities throughout the program region.
The Energy InSites program creates healthy and prosperous communities by supporting communities to independently create more efficient buildings and homes with lower operating costs, improved occupant comfort, and reduced emissions. By reducing energy consumption and emissions, communities achieve immediate economic benefits and can continue to thrive on their traditional lands.
(Source: https://yourcier.org/energy-insites/)
Who Can Participate – First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories.
Deadlines – Interested communities are encouraged to apply by December 31, 2025 to allow enough time for program completion by March 31, 2027 program closing date.
For more information or to apply, visit the program website online at the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources – https://yourcier.org/energy-insites/about/.
The Nature-Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF)
The Nature-Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund meant to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5-7 megatons annually through conservation, restoration and enhanced land management of wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands to store and capture carbon. Within this fund, up to $76.9 million has been set aside for Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions, to provide targeted support to Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations to engage as leaders in natural climate solutions. This funding further supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to Reconciliation. NCSF includes three separate, but related, programs: Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) 2 Billion Trees program, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Agricultural Climate Solutions Program.
For more information, visit the program website: Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions – Canada.ca.
Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding Program – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
The Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program (DRIF) program provides funding to First Nations and local governments in B.C. to enhance their capacity to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-driven hazards through:
- activities that bolster community resilience by providing data, building partnerships, and supporting long-term disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation planning, and
- structural and non-structural disaster risk reduction projects
Eligible hazards include:
- Drought and water scarcity
- Erosion
- Extreme Temperature
- Flood
- Geohazards (for example avalanche, landslide)
- Sea Level Rise
- Seismic
- Storm
- Tsunami
- Other (proponents are advised to confirm that the hazard meets the program intent before submitting an expression of interest)
Please note that wildfire risk reduction projects are funded through the Community Resiliency Investment program (CPI).
For more information visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/financial/drif.
Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program
The program is designed to build capacity for climate change and health adaptation by funding community-designed and driven projects.
Open: The deadline to submit your proposal for the Climate Change and Health Adaptation (CCHAP) South intake is September 20, 2024,11:59 pm Mountain time. CCHAP North has an ongoing intake (see below for more information).
About the Program:
The Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP) funds the efforts of First Nations and Inuit communities to identify, assess and respond to the health impacts of climate change.
There are 2 streams for the program:
- Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program North
- Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program for First Nations South of 60°N
The program supports projects that focus on the health impacts of climate change by helping communities:
- develop and implement health-related adaptation or action plans
- develop and share knowledge-building and communication materials
- support adaptation decision-making at the local, regional and national levels
Some of the areas of adaptation and research, that focus on human health and a changing climate, include:
- food security and access to traditional and country foods
- documentation and revitalization of traditional medicines and cultural heritage
- engagement and knowledge transfer between Elders and youth
- safety while on the land
- impacts of extreme weather events
- heat illness, including extreme heat
- emergency preparedness
- access to safe drinking water
- mental health impacts of climate change
- monitoring of wildlife, freshwater and ice
Some summaries of past projects supported through the program can be found at ClimateTelling.
To access the CCHAP 2025 to 2026 application guide and proposal template, please visit Funding Opportunities – ClimateTelling.
Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program North
Who can apply
- First Nations and Inuit communities
- First Nations and Inuit organizations, including:
- First Nations associations
- band councils
- tribal councils
- self-governing First Nations and Inuit governments
- Non-governmental organizations and voluntary associations and organizations, including non-Indigenous associations and organizations, can be eligible if working in partnership with a First Nations or Inuit community
Deadline
There is no deadline.You may apply any time. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis by a climate change adaptation committee based in your territory or region.
How to apply
In the North, the program works with Climate Change Community Liaisons in all 3 territories. These contacts are available to communities and organizations to aid in the development of proposals. For more information and to be connected with your community liaison, please contact Merran Smith, CCHAP North program manager, at merran.smith@sac-isc.gc.ca.
For more information, visit: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1536238477403/1536780059794
NRCan’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (2022-2027)
Description: The call for proposals is open for the 2022 to 2027 period.
About the Climate Change Adaptation Program
NRCan’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (2022–2027) helps to position Canada’s regions and sectors to adapt to a changing climate. The Program aims to:
- Support decision-makers in identifying and implementing adaptation actions;
- Enhance adaptation knowledge and skills among Canada’s workforce; and
- Increase access to climate change adaptation tools and resources.
The Program is soliciting proposals for cost-shared projects that will make important contributions to advancing adaptation progress in Canada. Up to $15 million in funding may be awarded through this Call for Proposals.
We welcome proposals for projects that address climate change adaptation on the following topics (see the Applicant Guide for more information):
- Adaptation skills
- Economics
- Emerging issues
- Natural resource sectors
Projects requesting less than $150,000 of NRCan funding will not be considered through this Call for Proposals.
Note: The Government of Canada may fund up to 60% of the total project costs, with the exception of projects led by Indigenous organizations, governments or communities or by Territorial governments, where NRCan may fund up to 100% of the total project costs.
Eligibility
This Call for Proposals is open to individuals and organizations that are incorporated or registered in Canada, including:
- Academic institutions;
- Non-governmental organizations;
- Industry, research, and professional associations;
- Companies and businesses;
- Indigenous communities or governments;
- Community, regional and national Indigenous organizations; and
- Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies.
How to Apply
Visit Climate Change Adaptation Program website for more information on how to apply.
Looking for More Information?
Visit the Climate Change Adaptation Program website for more information.
(Information Source: Natural Resources Canada)
Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (nrcan.gc.ca)
Description:
The Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) Program aims to increase the economic participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in the development of natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy future.
INRP has $80 million in Contributions funding for projects that:
- increase the capacity of Indigenous communities to engage in, benefit from, actively participate in and/or capitalize on economic development opportunities in the natural resource sectors;
- increase the investment and/or collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and other natural resource development stakeholders, including governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- result in benefits to multiple Indigenous communities and/or organizations
- support community capacity to transition to and participate in projects that contribute to Canada’s net-zero objectives and shift to clean energy (including critical minerals development).
Deadlines: NRCan is accepting an ongoing intake of applications for the INRP program. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.
For a complete list of assessment considerations, please refer to the INRP Program Guide (available on the NRCAN Website).
Please contact Debora Stone at inrp-prna@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca for more information or to discuss your project idea.
Eligible Activities
Examples could include:
- Studies, plans, evaluations, assessments or related activities to identify or develop economic or business opportunities
- Strategic, business, human resources, marketing and financial planning or community economic development planning
- Identification of opportunities, application and development of agreements or licenses
- Development or expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships or businesses
- Capacity development and training
- Development of tools, technology, products, services and systems
- Engineering design, environmental planning and permitting or other project design activities
- Site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up and expansion operations
Budget 2022 allocated $100 million over five years starting in 2022-23, to renew and expand the Indigenous Partnerships Office (IPO) and the INRP Program to make it a national natural resource sector-wide program. At least $25 million of this funding is to be dedicated to early engagement and Indigenous communities’ capacity building to support their participation in the Critical Minerals Strategy.
Please visit NRCAN Website for more information: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resource-partnerships/22197.
Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities
Deadline: None (applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis)
Description: This federal funding focuses on Indigenous, rural, and remote communities using diesel or fossil fuels for heat or power. It supports all project stages and a variety of technology types. Indigenous-owned or led projects, or projects with community partnerships, are prioritized.
Website: Clean Energy in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Communities
Contact: nrcan.remoteenergy-energieadistance.rncan@canada.ca
Climate Action and Awareness Fund –Advancing Climate Change Science and Technology Request for Proposals
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) has opened a request for proposals (RFP) for Advancing Climate Change Science and Technology Research. The RFP will fund up to $59M for projects that will strengthen Canada’s science capacity to understand, identify, accelerate, and evaluate actions towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Please visit the CAAF website for more information.
Information from: Climate Action and Awareness Fund, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada.
Harvesters Support Grant
Description: The Harvesters Support Grant is a new addition to the Nutrition North Canada program. It was developed in direct collaboration with Indigenous partners to increase their access to traditional foods by reducing the high costs associated with traditional hunting and harvesting. The grant supports the complete range of harvesting activities and traditions, from community decision making to ceremony and celebration of the harvest. It respects the inherent hunting and harvesting rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
It provides $40 million over 5 years, and $8 million per year ongoing, to Indigenous governments and organizations representing eligible Nutrition North Canada communities.
How does the grant work?
The Harvesters Support Grant relies on a distinctions-based design to maximize Indigenous control and decision-making. Because each community has unique harvesting needs and priorities, dedicated grant agreements have been developed to ensure that Indigenous governments and organizations can decide how best to support their own communities. The grant is supporting a wide range of harvesting activities such as:
- transportation and related capital investments
- maintenance of equipment
- harvesting equipment
- temporary shelter and outdoor clothing
- safety and rescue equipment
- training, certification and education
- traditional knowledge, practices and techniques
- processing, food preparation and storage such as community freezers
- maintenance of harvesting sites
- innovation in harvesting
- community, research, culture, and food sharing initiatives
There are 2 funding streams:
Stream 1 – Land claim organization and self-government stream
For communities with settled land claims, grant funding is being provided to land claim organizations. These organizations will decide how the grant is spent and how harvesting support programs are administered.
Stream 2 – Communities stream
For communities without a settled land claim, an Indigenous organization representing the community will receive and administer the grant. With input from community leaders, the organization will develop the program within their region.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Harvesters Support Grant, a community must:
- lack year-round surface transportation (no permanent road, rail or marine access)
- be reliant on air transportation for more than 8 months each year
- meet the territorial or provincial definition of a northern community
- have an airport, post office, or grocery store
- have a year-round population according to the national census
Eight communities eligible for the retail subsidy are not reliant on air transportation for more than 8 months each year, and are not eligible for the Harvesters Support Grant as a result. These communities are all on the Quebec North Shore:
- Pakuashipi
- La Tabatiere
- Mutton Bay
- Tête-à-la-Baleine
- Harrington Harbour
- Chevery
- La Romaine
- Port Menier
Source: Information obtained from Government of Canada website. For more information on this funding opportunity, click here.
