Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) - Quality Improvement Projects (QIP)
This funding opportunity aims to support the implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) distinctions-based results frameworks. It will fund projects that support: the production of narratives on the progress of the IELCC Initiative since 2018; data collection and management; transition to the distinction-based results frameworks; assessment of future years of reporting under those frameworks.
- Application period:
- September 14, 2026, to November 6, 2026, at 3:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
- Funding amount:
- Up to $1 million for a project that is up to 36 months in duration
- Who can apply:
- Applicants invited by ESDC
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Application period
You can apply between September 14, 2026, to November 6, 2026, at 3:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
We expect that projects will begin in January 2027.
Note: Only specific organizations can apply.
Description
This funding opportunity aims to support the implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) distinctions-based results frameworks.
The five solicited organizations can apply for a project up to $1,000,000 over 36 months.
The successful projects are expected to begin in January 2027.
Objective
Objective 1 – Produce a narrative on progress of the IELCC Initiative since 2018 (or over a 5-year cycle) as per distinctions-based co-development results frameworks and/or co-developed one-time indicators
This responds to a need for a narrative drawn from current reporting that tells the story of progress since the inception of the IELCC. The narrative produced by the recipient must briefly reference the Government of Canada partnership with the Indigenous partner, be thoughtfully synthesized, validated, and presented in a manner that is accurate, and reflective of Indigenous ways of knowing. The recipient and narrative can represent reporting from regional tables and emerge from indicator work in instances where only indicators are co-developed.
Objective 2 – Data Collection and Management
Undertake activities related to data collection and management to ensure that new reporting requirements from the proposed or new co-developed results frameworks generate high-quality data and are feasible given staff capacity and existing systems. This can include, but is not limited to, pilot projects.
Objective 3 – Transition Support
Develop clear and practical materials (e.g. implementation plans, guidance documents and tools) to support recipients in transitioning to, and implementing, the new results frameworks or indicators.
Objective 4 – Future Year(s) in Review
Assess future year(s) of reporting under the new results frameworks and/or indicators to identify lessons learned and recommendations for targeted, practical improvements to indicators, guidance documents and related data collection tools in order to strengthen data quality and usability for results reporting. The assessment can include one year of data collection or multiple years.
Organizations solicited for funding
The organizations identified and invited to apply under this funding opportunity are:
- Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
- Métis National Council (MNC)
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
- Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)
- Otipemisiwak Métis Government
Find information on funded grant and contribution projects in proactive disclosure.
Eligibility
This is a solicited funding process. We will solicit proposals from organizations that were involved in the co-development process for the distinction-based results frameworks and assessed as ready to undertake implementation activities.
Eligible applicants
Organizations eligible for this funding process include:
- Indigenous communities (e.g. First Nations, Tribal Councils, Inuit Hamlets)
- Indigenous governments
- Indigenous organizations and associations, including Indigenous not-for-profit and for-profit organizations
Contact us
If you have any questions related to this solicited process, contact us by November 5, 2026, at 3 pm, Eastern Standard Time (EST):