Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Indigenous Grants 

Open call for proposals: Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Submit an optional Expression of Interest form or a completed application form by email to cmif_ig-sa_fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

For more information on the application process, consult the information session recording.

Introduction

Supporting Indigenous engagement, capacity building and knowledge gathering and sharing

The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) supports the development and deployment of clean energy and transportation infrastructure that will enable the development and expansion of critical minerals projects in Canada. Indigenous engagement is a crucial part of this infrastructure and mining development, especially given that many proposed projects would take place on traditional Indigenous territories and treaty lands. The CMIF Indigenous Grants fund Indigenous engagement, capacity building and knowledge gathering and sharing activities related to clean energy and transportation projects that would enable critical minerals development.

Available funding

This first national call for proposals will provide up to $3.5 million in grant funding to eligible initiatives. The maximum funding available per initiative ranges from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the type of applicant organization and its location.

Applicant type Baseline funding maximums Northern or remote funding maximums
Representative Organization $100,000 $150,000
Other Indigenous entities $50,000 $75,000

In total, the CMIF Indigenous Grants will provide up to $13.5 million in federal funding until 2030.

Eligible recipients

Applicants who are eligible under the CMIF Indigenous Grants must be either:

Non-Indigenous organizations will be asked to include a letter of endorsement signed by the leadership of the Indigenous partner organization, confirming they are working with or on behalf of that Indigenous partner.

Eligible initiatives and activities

Initiatives that are eligible under the CMIF Indigenous Grants must include engagement, capacity building, and knowledge gathering and sharing activities related to a clean energy and/or transportation infrastructure project that enables the development and expansion of critical minerals production in Canada (i.e., enabling mining activities, not including processing or manufacturing):

Clean energy or transportation infrastructure that enables the development and expansion of Canada’s critical minerals could either be in the planning stages (for example, in the process of obtaining permits or conducting impact or environmental assessments) or could already be underway. Eligible infrastructure projects may or may not proceed to completion. These projects may also qualify for CMIF contribution funding.

For this call for proposals, CMIF Indigenous Grants initiatives must be completed by March 31, 2026.

Eligible expenses

The CMIF Indigenous Grants may cover up to 100% of eligible expenses needed to complete an initiative. Eligible expenses include:

Ineligible expenses include capital expenditures, costs for construction, lost income, renovation of buildings, and legal fees related to litigation or similar legal actions. The CMIF Indigenous Grants will not cover these costs.

Optional expression of interest

Before preparing a full application, applicants may choose to submit an optional Expression of Interest form to see if their initiative is likely to be eligible for CMIF Indigenous Grants funding. After submitting the form, staff from the CMIF team will review the proposed initiative and reach out to the applicant to discuss next steps.

Download the Expression of interest form (PDF, 364 KB)

How to apply

The application form includes details about the types of information needed to be considered for funding. In brief, applicants will be asked to provide the following:

When you are ready to apply for CMIF Indigenous Grants funding:

  1. Please click on the link below to download the CMIF Indigenous Grants Application Form.
  2. Please fill all fields on the application form including text boxes, checkboxes and drop-down menus.
  3. Please submit the completed grant application form to cmif_ig-sa_fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca by December 31, 2024, at the latest.

For more information on the application process, consult the application form (PDF, 504.6 KB) and our information session recording.

Selection process and timelines

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application submission by email.

Funding will be provided on a first-come, first-assessed basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as it is complete rather than waiting until the end of the call for proposals.

Each application will be reviewed to ensure it is complete, the proposed activities are feasible, and the initiative meets the eligibility requirements and overall objectives of the CMIF Indigenous Grants. This will include consideration of any recent, ongoing and expected activities undertaken by the infrastructure project and critical minerals development that the CMIF Indigenous Grants initiative relates to, as well as how the community or organization applying may be impacted by that infrastructure and critical minerals development. Applications linked to an infrastructure project and critical minerals development, with high likelihood of realization and/or potentially significant impacts on Indigenous communities may be prioritized for funding.

A representative from the CMIF team will reach out if more information is needed to assess your application, or to communicate a funding decision.

About the CMIF

The CMIF will provide up to $1.5 billion in grants and contributions funding until 2030 to support clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects that are necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada.

Visit the CMIF webpage to learn more about the funding stream.

Contact us

If you have questions about CMIF Indigenous Grants, please contact the CMIF team at cmif_ig-sa_fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Disclaimer

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) reserves the right to alter or cancel any call for proposals, funding amounts and/or deadlines associated with any funding stream component, or to cancel any call for proposal process at its sole discretion. Any changes will be communicated to applicants via the funding stream website.

Any costs incurred for the submission of an application are at the applicant’s own risk and cannot be considered as part of total initiative costs. In all cases, any funding under any submission, review and assessment process will be contingent upon the execution of a grant agreement.

Until a written grant agreement is signed by both parties, no commitment or obligation exists on the part of NRCan to make a financial contribution to any initiative, including any expenditure incurred or paid prior to the signing of such grant agreement.

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