Federal government grants, loans and incentives for Indigenous businesses and communities

Ranked programs

Top 36 of 37 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

1. Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Access to Capital (Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program)

   Indigenous Services Canada, delivered by Indigenous Financial Institutions and Metis Capital Corporations

   Non-repayable equity-type contributions and business services for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous community businesses to start, expand or acquire a business...

   OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $250K
   43

   Strong

2. Mitacs Accelerate

   Mitacs

   Matches partner contributions to fund research internships connecting businesses and organizations with university researchers and trainees.

   OngoingFederalGrants
   41

   Strong

3. FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

   FedNor

   FedNor's NODP funds community economic development, SME business growth and a municipal/First Nation economic-development-officer initiative (CIINO) in Northern Ontario...

   OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $170K
   40

   Strong

4. Mitacs AI Advantage (ADOPT and AI+X)

   Mitacs

   Non-competitive Mitacs offerings supporting organizations to adopt and innovate with AI through trainee-led projects: ADOPT (AI readiness to implementation) and AI+X...

   OpenFederalGrantsUp to $25K
   39

   Strong

5. Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

   Mitacs

   Matches partner funds to place students, postdocs and recent graduates in business-strategy and innovation projects at Canadian organizations.

   OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $15K
   37

   Worth a look

6. Celebrate Canada Funding Program

   Canadian Heritage

   Funds community activities held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.

   OpenFederalGrants
   36

   Worth a look

7. Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program

   Employment and Social Development Canada

   Funds Indigenous service delivery organizations that design and deliver job training and employment services to First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban/non-affiliated...

   OngoingFederalOther incentives
   35

   Worth a look

8. Enabling Accessibility Fund - Express Workplace Accessibility Grant (EWAG)

   Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)

   Funds immediate workplace accessibility updates that support hiring, retention or continued employment of persons with disabilities. Projects can remove barriers through...

   OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
   34

   Worth a look

9. Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP)

   Natural Resources Canada (transitioning to Environment and Climate Change Canada); delivered through provincial and territorial programs

   Provides low-to-median-income homeowners and tenants with no-cost home retrofits such as insulation and heat pumps. Selected organizations deliver the work directly, so...

   OngoingFederalOther incentives
   33

   Worth a look

10. Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit

    Canada Revenue Agency / Natural Resources Canada

    Refundable credit of up to 15% of capital cost of eligible clean electricity property (generation, storage, transmission), open to taxable corporations and also to...

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    31

    Worth a look

11. Changing Narratives Fund

    Department of Canadian Heritage

    The Changing Narratives Fund supports diverse communities (Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+) in sharing...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    30

    Worth a look

12. FedNor - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

    FedNor

    Helps Northern Ontario SMEs, not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations and municipalities commercialize and adopt AI. For-profits normally receive repayable...

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $700M
    30

    Worth a look

13. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program - Events component

    Canadian Heritage

    Funds community events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, discuss multiculturalism and racism, or celebrate a community's history and culture such...

    OpenFederalGrants
    29

    Worth a look

14. FedNor - Build Communities Strong Fund, Local Impact Stream (Northern Ontario)

    FedNor

    Non-repayable funding for shovel-ready community projects in Northern Ontario that deliver public benefits.

    Intake-basedFederalGrantsUp to $1M
    28

    Worth a look

15. Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    A community-based program funding projects that prevent and reduce homelessness in urban, Indigenous, territorial and rural and remote communities, with decisions made...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    28

    Worth a look

16. Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada

    The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) supports the recovery and protection of aquatic species at risk. It funds multi-species, place-based and...

    OpenFederalGrants
    27

    Worth a look

17. Futurpreneur Core Startup Program (also Black and Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Programs)

    Futurpreneur Canada with BDC

    Equity-free start-up loan for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39, with up to two years of one-to-one mentorship. Black and Indigenous streams offer tailored mentorship.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $75K
    24

    Long shot

18. Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage - Local Festivals

    Canadian Heritage

    Funds local festivals that celebrate local arts and heritage and encourage community engagement.

    Intake-basedFederalGrantsUp to $200K
    23

    Long shot

19. First Nation Adapt Program

    Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

    Funds First Nation-led projects that assess climate change impacts and build climate resilience, such as hazard mapping, adaptation planning and community discussions.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    23

    Long shot

20. Northern REACHE (Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity)

    Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

    Funds clean energy projects and related capacity building and planning in northern communities to reduce reliance on diesel for heating and electricity.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    23

    Long shot

21. Team Canada Strong Youth Placements

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Funds organizations to deliver paid, entry-level construction and trades work placements for youth aged 15 to 30, supporting pathways into apprenticeships.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $30M
    23

    Long shot

22. Canada Council for the Arts - Creating, Knowing and Sharing (First Nations, Inuit and Metis arts)

    Canada Council for the Arts

    Funds Indigenous individuals, groups and Indigenous-led arts organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem, via five funding opportunities...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    22

    Long shot

23. Indigenous Growth Fund (NACCA)

    National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) via Indigenous Financial Institutions

    The Indigenous Growth Fund is an open-ended investment fund (limited partnership) that invests in Indigenous Financial Institutions, which in turn lend to Indigenous...

    OngoingFederalLoans
    22

    Long shot

24. Movable Cultural Property Grants

    Department of Canadian Heritage

    Movable Cultural Property Grants help designated organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and Indigenous-led heritage organizations acquire cultural property or...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    22

    Long shot

25. Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

    Canada Water Agency

    Supports local action to restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern, prevent toxic and nuisance algae, protect coastal wetlands, reduce harmful chemicals and increase...

    OpenFederalGrants
    21

    Long shot

26. Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)

    Canadian Heritage

    Supports improving physical conditions for arts, heritage and creative innovation, including renovation projects and the acquisition of specialized equipment for...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    20

    Long shot

27. Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Access to Business Opportunities (group projects)

    Indigenous Services Canada

    Funds group projects that promote Indigenous entrepreneurship and improve access to business opportunities. Not for individual business startups or expansions.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $500K
    20

    Long shot

28. Indigenous Languages Program (Indigenous Languages Component, Canadian Heritage)

    Canadian Heritage

    Supports Indigenous communities and organizations to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages through distinctions-based funding models, plus...

    OpenFederalGrants
    18

    Long shot

29. NRC Outreach Initiative grants and contributions

    National Research Council Canada

    Funds non-profits and charities running science and innovation outreach such as conferences, workshops and symposia, including an Indigenous outreach stream.

    Intake-basedFederalGrants
    18

    Long shot

30. Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF)

    Canadian Heritage

    Financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series, and to presenter support organizations; supports about 800...

    Intake-basedFederalGrants
    17

    Long shot

31. Museums Assistance Program (MAP)

    Canadian Heritage

    Supports heritage institutions and workers to preserve and present heritage collections, with components for Indigenous Heritage, Access to Heritage, Exhibition...

    Intake-basedFederalGrants
    15

    Long shot

32. Environmental Damages Fund (EDF)

    Environment and Climate Change Canada

    Funds projects that benefit Canada's natural environment in restoration, environmental quality improvement, research and development, and education and awareness, using...

    Intake-basedFederalGrants
    14

    Long shot

33. FedNor - Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (Northern Ontario)

    FedNor

    Supports Northern Ontario businesses and organizations strengthening the housing supply chain and residential construction innovation. Commercial projects are generally...

    Intake-basedFederalLoansLoans up to $500K
    14

    Long shot

34. Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF)

    Environment and Climate Change Canada

    A ten-year fund backing projects that avoid, restore or better manage ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, peatlands and grasslands to cut greenhouse gas emissions...

    Intake-basedFederalGrants
    14

    Long shot

35. Build Canada Homes (BCH) - proposal portal and financing

    Build Canada Homes (Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada)

    Federal agency that finances and builds affordable housing with private developers, non-profits, Indigenous partners and governments; uses tools such as loans, loan...

    OpenFederalLoans
    13

    Long shot

36. FedNor - Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)

    FedNor

    Supports Northern Ontario businesses, not-for-profits and Indigenous-led organizations meeting a specific military need in the defence supply chain.

    Intake-basedFederalLoans
    12

    Long shot

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Questions

How many federal programs for Indigenous businesses and communities are open right now?

Of the 102 federal programs for Indigenous businesses and communities in our database, 27 are open or ongoing and 10 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 4, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

FedNor - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Loans up to $700M". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which federal programs for Indigenous businesses and communities rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Access to Capital (43, Strong), Mitacs Accelerate (41, Strong), FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (40, Strong). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 27 open or ongoing programs here, 20 are in our Grants category, 4 are loans and 3 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Are these federal or Ontario programs?

27 of the 27 open or ongoing programs here come from the federal government and 0 from the Ontario government. Both levels can usually be combined, but many programs have stacking rules that cap total government funding for the same costs, so check them before you apply.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.