Department of National Defence Indigenous Reconciliation Program - Grants and contributions

Do you have an idea to improve how the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces work towards reconciliation with Indigenous communities?

The Indigenous Reconciliation Program provides funding for work that helps build and maintain relationships between Indigenous communities and the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF).

Who is eligible for funding

Indigenous people (First Nation, Inuit and Métis), Indigenous governments and organizations, including bands, tribal councils, Indigenous self-government entities, and local, regional and national representative organizations.

How much funding is available

Starting in fiscal year 2023-2024, up to $1.5 million in grants and contributions funding will be allocated each year through the Indigenous Reconciliation Program. This funding will be available for up to four years, ending in 2026-2027.

What funding is available

The following streams of funding are available under the Indigenous Reconciliation Program:

Grant funding

Engagement and Collaboration Grants

You can request Engagement and Collaboration Grants to support costs associated with targeted or occasional events that encourage dialogue between Indigenous communities and military establishments and/or Defence programs.

You may request up to $50,000 to:

• host or participate in workshops, conferences, roundtables, town halls, and informal discussions
• conduct cultural activities and ceremonies
• create community outreach events
• support or participate in established, ongoing events, workshops, and meetings
• other relationship-building activities

Proposals involving costs exceeding $50,000 per year or that span more than one fiscal year will only be eligible for consideration under the Contributions streams below.

Contribution funding

You can request annual or multi-year contribution funding (not to exceed 3 years and ending before March 31, 2027) for:

Research Support Contributions

You can request Research Support Contributions to support costs of various research activities or events intended to encourage participation and collaboration between Indigenous communities and/or organizations and military establishments and/or Defence programs. These research activities or events can pertain to or include specific departmental projects, activities, military exercises, infrastructure projects, real property transactions, research related to departmental policy, decision making, activities, projects or events to: 

• share views and knowledge in support of Indigenous academics, researchers and students researching defence issues or that advance reconciliation
• support the publication process for Indigenous-led research, support heritage and archeological research, and other research support activities that serve the department’s interests in advancing reconciliation

Policy Development Contributions

You can request Policy Development Contributions to support the costs of longer term relationship-building and policy development projects related to the Defence mandate and Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Eligible activities, projects, or events include, but are not limited to:

• attend Government of Canada-hosted conferences, workshops, roundtables and policy research events related to Canada’s defence policy
• report on the outcomes of policy workshops, roundtables, and research events
• survey effects and issues related to activities on military bases
• develop employment and procurement policy recommendations
• host large scale events
• take part in recurring, multi-year meetings
• host community outreach events
• engage on a wide range of topics associated with DND/CAF
• organize policy development activities

All submissions will be considered in relation to the department’s mandate and its objective to advance reconciliation with Indigenous partners.

How to request funding

A written or verbal funding submission must be made to the Indigenous Reconciliation Program by no later than March 1 of each fiscal year (or the next business day where March 1 falls on a weekend or statutory holiday) to allow sufficient time for processing before the end of the fiscal year.

Funding submissions will be accepted as long as funds remain available for the fiscal year.

There is no standard format required for funding requests, however, the following information should be provided as part of your funding submission:

General information

• Name of the Indigenous person, group or organization
• Contact information (mail address, email address, and phone number)
• Contact name and title
• Confirmation of mandate or proof of authorization when the request is submitted on behalf of the Indigenous organization

Funding requested

• Stream of funding being requested (grants or contributions – Research Support or Policy Development)
• Annual or multi year funding (for contributions only)
• Total amount of funding requested, by fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)

Proposal information

• Proposal title
• Overall objective of the project, activity, or event
• High-level description of the project, activity, or event, which must include:
  • location, date and duration
  • list of participants, agenda, and stages of development and expected milestones
  • list of DND/CAF partner(s) (Base, Wing, or other Defence Establishment) and contact information
  • identification of the intended Indigenous group (Inuit, Métis, or First Nation) that will be included and represented
  • methods to ensure accessibility and inclusivity to all community members including women, Elders, youth, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and persons with disabilities
  • plans to leverage technology and innovation/creativity/vision
  • disclosure of the involvement of any former public servants and whether the Treasury Board post-employment guidelines apply
  • and any other relevant information related to the project, activity, or event

The following additional information is to be included in your project, activity, or event description where contribution funding is requested:

• linkage to Defence policy priorities/programs/challenges
• technical or experiential qualifications relevant to the proposed project, activity or event
• description of team/structure
• approach to ensure incorporation of multidisciplinary and diverse perspectives

Estimated budget

• Proposed detailed budget of eligible expenses for the fiscal year
• Information on any and all other expected sources of funding for the project, activity or event, inclusive of all federal, provincial or other government sources

Eligible expenses include:

• research costs (subscriptions, travel and accommodation in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive, etc.)
• conference/seminar costs, including: room rental, audiovisual rental, interpretation, materials, as well as travel, accommodation, hospitality/food, in accordance with Government of Canada guidelines
• translation costs
• administrative/support salary costs, including benefits
• professional services for expertise not available in-house
• advertising/promotional material
• licensing and other fees
• travel costs for recipients, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive
• facility/transportation rentals
• communications materials
• disability related support
• adaptive technology set-up
• cultural activities

Request funding by email

You can request funding in writing in the language of your choice (including Indigenous languages) at the following address: IRP-PRPA@forces.gc.ca.

Request funding in person or by phone

You can request funding, in English or French, in person or by phone by making an appointment with the Indigenous Reconciliation Program team. Team members are available to help support you through the funding request process. 

To schedule a time with a member of the Indigenous Reconciliation Program team, email us at IRP-PRPA@forces.gc.ca.

Contact us

The Indigenous Reconciliation Team is available to answer your questions. Email us at IRP-PRPA@forces.gc.ca.