Interim guidance for applicants: Funding proposals for modern treaty and self-government implementation policy initiatives
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Call for proposals and how to apply
Access to this proposal-based implementation policy funding is intended to advance modern treaty and self-government arrangement implementation through greater engagement, awareness, understanding, and collaboration across government and society in Canada. For example, funded initiatives could focus on:
- advancing federal policy objectives through co-development
- public awareness, education, and training
- cross-cutting collaborative implementation policy development activities
The 2026 to 2027 fiscal year (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) call for proposals for modern treaty and self-government implementation policy funding ("implementation policy funding") will open as of April 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM PDT. Interested applicants should consult how to apply.
The deadline for applications is June 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.
Before submitting your application, please ensure that you have read this interim guidance in full. For more information or questions related to circumstances that may impact the timely submission of a proposal, contact us.
About the funding
This funding stream is designed consistent with and intended to uphold:
- Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy (2023)
- the rights, interests, objectives, and principles enshrined in modern treaties and self-government arrangements
- related federal policy objectives, including those articulated in key federal policy drivers such as the 2025 Prime Minister's mandate letter. Related federal policy objectives may include:
- collaboratively advancing shared policy priorities with Crown partners
- better enabling Indigenous self-determination, self-reliance, autonomy and decision-making
- economic prosperity, through resource development and other means
- improving intergovernmental and fiscal relations in support of federalism and constitutional harmony
- the predictable operation and development of modern treaty and self-government arrangement relationships
- supporting strong modern treaty and self-governing communities north of 60 as key partners in a secure Canadian Arctic
The available funding supports:
- policy engagement, collaboration, consultation and co-development, including between Canada and Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Partners
- supporting documentation must be provided in the online application package to validate the support of federal parties for proposed initiatives that include federal involvement
- building greater awareness and understanding of modern treaties and self-government arrangements across Canadian civil society, government and industry
Application guidelines
Application length is limited to the word counts in the online application package. Additional material sent via email or other means will not be considered in the evaluation process.
The online application package allows for the submission of multi-initiative, chaptered proposals. If you intend to submit a chaptered proposal to this funding stream, ensure that this is indicated in your application package and that you follow the instructions provided in the forms.
What to include in the proposal
Project title
Choose a concise title that summarizes the proposal.
Abstract or summary
Present a brief but comprehensive overview of the proposed project, including key objectives and expected outcomes.
Background and rationale
Explain the context of the proposal, including:
- why the proposed initiative is important
- how it responds to the call for proposals
- how it aligns with the applicable general principles of:
- Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy (2023)
- the rights, interests, objectives, and principles enshrined in modern treaties and self-government arrangements
- related federal policy objectives, including those articulated in key federal policy drivers such as the 2025 Prime Minister's mandate letter
Objectives
Clearly outline the specific objectives of the proposed initiative, the reasons for or the purpose of these objectives and their alignment with the policy objectives of the funding program, and an initial assessment of their feasibility.
Methodology
Identify specific initiative activities. Describe the approach and methods that will be used for the proposed initiative activities, including how you will ensure inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Methodology should be evidence-based.
Target audience
Identify the stakeholders and communities that will be engaged through the project. Discuss their likely responsiveness and capacity with respect to the proposed initiative.
Timeline
Provide a detailed project timeline, including key milestones and deadlines, and an initial assessment of the timeline's feasibility.
Budget
Include a detailed budget forecast, outlining the anticipated costs associated with the project and any requested funding from the contribution agreement. The budget forecast should reflect only eligible expenditures identified in the call for proposals, and justify the reasonableness of the anticipated costs relative to market rates and any unique circumstances. Proposals should present unrounded figures.
Outcomes and evaluation
Describe the expected outcomes of the project and how you will measure, evaluate and report on results. Identify deliverables. Describe the measurement, evaluation and reporting methodology (approach and methods). Methodology should be evidence-based and culturally sensitive (for example, reporting should respect unique data and privacy considerations).
Sustainability
Discuss how the initiative outcomes will be sustained beyond the funding period.
Ethics
Discuss any potential ethical considerations, including actual or potential conflicts. Identify mitigations where appropriate.
Proposal evaluation criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- responsiveness to the call for proposals and relevance to its policy sources and objectives
- clarity, evidence basis and feasibility of the proposed methodologies for initiative activities, measurement, evaluation and reporting
- eligibility, experience and qualifications of the applicant
- potential impact and sustainability of the proposed initiative
- past performance of the applicant or initiatives where applicable
- ethical approach
- budgetary prudence and anticipated cost effectiveness
Discretion
Submission of a proposal does not guarantee its acceptance. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) retains full discretion in evaluating proposals and making funding decisions. Funding amounts are based on the number of successful proposals and available funds.
All funding decisions will be communicated on an applicant-by-applicant basis according to departmental schedules.
Who can apply
Applicants
CIRNAC will call for, assess, and respond to proposals from Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Partners, and from organizations, groups, and individuals with purposes and mandates related to modern treaties and self-government arrangements.
For the purpose of consultation, engagement and policy development or collaboration, eligibility is specifically limited to Indigenous or Indigenous-led applicants. Indigenous and Indigenous-led applicants include:
- Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners, Self-Government Arrangement Holders, Self-Governing Indigenous Governments, communities, settlements, councils, presidents, chief executive officers, Chiefs' councils, tribal councils, elected councils, organizations, associations, economic organizations, economic institutions, corporations, partnerships or groups, cooperatives, boards, commissions, authorities, agencies, and cultural education centres that either:
- are Indigenous-owned (please cite supporting documentation as relevant to the applicant in your application)
- serve Indigenous populations (please cite supporting documentation as relevant to the applicant in your application)
- have Indigenous community and leadership support for their proposed role attested to in a letter included in your application form
- comprehensive land claim or self-government arrangement or self-government treaty beneficiaries, Indigenous individuals, or individuals who enjoy Indigenous community and leadership support for their proposed role (please cite supporting documentation as relevant to the applicant in your application)
If relevant to the applicant, examples of supporting documentation and supplementary information are provided in the "Application Form" of the online application package.
Indigenous and Indigenous-led applicants must additionally have purposes and mandates related to modern treaties and self-government arrangements and meet the experience, capacity, and readiness criteria. The limitation of eligibility to Indigenous and Indigenous-led applicants does not apply to contribution funding for the purposes of awareness, education, and training, though Indigenous and Indigenous-led applicants will be given priority consideration.
Priority consideration is given to Indigenous and Indigenous-led applicants and applicants with extensive experience working in or fostering modern treaty and self-government arrangement implementation, awareness, and understanding. Applicants with multiple priority characteristics will receive first consideration.
Multi-year funding
Multi-year proposals may be considered for initiatives that received funding through this funding stream in the fiscal year immediately prior (in this case, in fiscal year 2025 to 2026). Single applicants advancing multiple proposals are asked to submit a single, chaptered master proposal.
Geographic scope
Proposals should focus on regions impacted by modern treaties and self-government arrangements, or have a nationwide scope where awareness and understanding across the entire Canadian population is the project aim.
Experience
Applicants should demonstrate experience in a relevant field included in the non-exhaustive list below, but experience in other fields, if relevant, may be considered on a discretionary basis. Experience related to modern treaties or self-government arrangements specifically will receive priority consideration. Applicants with experience in multiple relevant fields will also be given priority.
Non-exhaustive list of relevant fields:
- policy development
- engagement
- consultation
- multi-party collaboration
- intergovernmental processes
- Indigenous governance
- modern treaty or self-government arrangement advocacy, implementation, or negotiation
- public awareness and education
- professional training
Capacity and readiness
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to manage the contribution funding effectively, including financial management and project implementation skills.
Eligible activities and expenditures
Initiatives funded under the modern treaty and self-government implementation policy initiatives must foster reconciliation, through contributions to advancing modern treaty and self-government arrangements. Eligible activities to advance such initiatives include those listed below, but other activities may be approved to receive funding on a discretionary basis.
Non-exhaustive list of eligible activities:
- workshops, conferences, and other meetings including the proponent and federal parties, as well as other invitees where appropriate, on directly or indirectly project-related topics or to support federal policy and program development
- no application may assume that parties other than the proponent will support and participate in any proposed workshops, conference, or other meetings. Supporting documentation must be provided in the "Assessment Criteria Form" of the online application package to validate the support of other parties for such activities, including contacts who can confirm support. Similarly, supporting documentation must demonstrate that these parties consent to participate in activities under the conditions specified (e.g., in-person, virtual, hybrid)
- proponent and Indigenous partner meetings without federal involvement on matters of common concern to Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Partners, with respect to project-related topics or responsive capacity to support policy and program development activities
- attendees whose presence is required for such meetings must clearly consent to participate; the application must provide supporting documentation that this criterion is met in the "Assessment Criteria Form" of the online application package
- studies, including research and analysis, related to project principles, objectives and deliverables
- non-partisan canvassing and polling to gather opinion and statistical data on directly project-related topics
- outcomes and results measurement activities
- production of summaries, reports, and similar results-focused products
- position papers, policy development, and discussion papers that seek to explore or advance implementation
- development of static and evergreen resources as aids to modern treaty and self-government arrangement awareness and understanding
- educational presentations
- training delivery (such as public training/information sessions, online resources)
- to be considered for funding, a planned training activity that is predicated on engagement by an organizational audience must be supported by that organization, and supporting documentation must be provided in the "Assessment Criteria Form" of the online application package
- training activities aimed at the general public or an appropriately general target audience and made publicly and asynchronously available need only provide supporting documentation that the planned training meets a need, is appropriate, and is likely to be engaged with by the intended audience. Training delivery activities within this category must not require travel by any participant
- non-partisan public awareness campaigning
Eligible expenditures include the below, but other expenditures may be approved on a discretionary basis.
Non-exhaustive list of eligible expenditures:
- salaries and wages that:
- compensate a person for performing a function on an ongoing basis such that they could reasonably be considered an employee of the applicant (these functions will generally relate to project coordination or internal delivery activities)
- are directly associated with delivery of proposed activities, such as typically time-limited to the duration of the proposed project and covering functions limited to the scope of the proposed project
- are distinct from professional services costs in that they cover different, non-overlapping functions from those of any professional service provider and do not require specialized expertise that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to have
- are not eligible for coverage under another funding source (such as governance funding Annual Formula Grants)
- professional services (such as speakers, legal advice, coordinators, facilitators, researchers, analysts)
- advertising and promotional material
- travel costs or accommodations (must be aligned with the National Joint Council Travel Directive) hardware and software needed for development (including direct costs of hardware and software necessary to deliver proposed activities such as a software license, and salaries and wages that directly support a hardware or software output rather than a project activity as a whole, such as web development, coding, GIS mapping)
- direct administrative costs (such as expenditure tracking, calendar management) not exceeding 15% of total project costs that are:
- directly associated with delivery of proposed activities typically time-limited to the duration of the proposed project and covering functions limited to the scope of the proposed project
- not eligible for coverage under another funding source (such as governance funding Annual Formula Grants)
- supplies and materials
- information and training services
- event, meeting, or workshop costs (such as rental, related supplies, catering, logistics)
- honoraria and communications
Ineligible expenditures
Ineligible expenditures may include incurred costs not directly relevant to modern treaty and self-government arrangement policy and awareness initiatives, including audit fees, general administration costs, and regular salaries and wages. Any costs or expenditures that are already funded federally or that are deemed eligible for governance, implementation, or institutional capacity funding, and those already funded through any other fiscal arrangement with Canada or any other sources of funding from any federal department or agency, are ineligible for coverage under this funding program. Officials may seek greater detail on apparently ineligible expenditures in response to applicant outreach or if a proposal received lacks clarity.
Reporting requirements and due dates
Successful recipients will be required to submit regular progress reports, a final report detailing project outcomes and expenditures, and unaudited and audited financial statements. These recipients will be notified of reporting and audit deadlines and requirements through follow-up correspondence related to the allocation of funding.
Due diligence
CIRNAC has in place the appropriate systems, procedures and resources for ensuring due diligence in approving and verifying eligibility for the management and administration of the contribution.
Administrative details
Total Canadian Government funding and stacking limits
Recipients shall declare any and all prospective sources of funding for the program or project detailed in the proposal, including all federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government assistance expected to be received (total government assistance) from any source. Annual financial reporting shall show all sources of funding received. Provision for repayment shall be included in the funding arrangements. Federal funding from any source cannot exceed 100% for eligible projects or initiatives.
Method for determining the amount of funding
Allocated funding is based on the assessment of proposals received.
Basis on which payments will be made
Recipients of this funding must submit annual final reports according to the terms of their contribution agreement, and if applicable, a report detailing deferred revenue and outlining next steps and timelines. With respect to the 2026 to 2027 call for proposals process, outstanding reporting obligations from fiscal year 2025 to 2026 and earlier may impact the consideration of a proposal and related funding decisions.
Redistribution of contributions
Where a recipient further distributes contribution funding to an agency or a third party (such as an authority, board, committee, or other entity authorized to act on behalf of the recipient), the recipient shall remain liable to the department for the performance of its obligations under the funding agreement. Neither the objectives of the programs and services nor the expectations of transparent, fair and equitable services shall be compromised by any delegation or redistribution of contribution funding.
Recipients have full independence in the selection of such third parties and will not be acting as an agent of the government in making distributions.
Repayable contributions
Provisions for repayable contributions do not apply. Any contributions made to private firms under these programs are not intended to generate profits or to increase the value of a business.
Intellectual property
Where a contribution is provided for the development of material in which copyright subsists, conditions for shared rights will be set out in the funding agreement.
Official languages
Where a program supports activities that may be delivered to members of either official language community, access to services from the recipient will be provided in both official languages where there is significant demand and Part roman numeral 5roman numeral 4 of the Official Languages Act is applicable. In addition, CIRNAC will ensure that the design and the delivery of programs respect the obligations of the Government of Canada as set out in Part roman numeral 7roman numeral 7 of the Official Languages Act.
Notice
This guidance is presented without prejudice and is aimed at supporting applicants. It may be revoked or changed at any time by CIRNAC. CIRNAC will evaluate proposals based on existing terms and conditions. Accordingly, the interim guidance provided by this document remains subject to existing terms and conditions.
How to apply
The automated webforms include the following components as part of the application package:
- application form
- assessment criteria form
- forecast of budget expenditure form
- authorized signatory form
- delegation of signing authority form
Contact us
For questions or clarification during the call for proposals period, please contact us at TMAGPartenariatsMobilisation-MTSGPartnershipsEngagement@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.