Stream 1: Indigenous Capacity Support funding opportunities

Current funding opportunities

The CNSC is making funding available through the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF) to help support Indigenous Nations and communities to build the capacity to participate in the CNSC’s regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives more effectively. This funding is provided outside the context of specific licensing processes, environmental assessments, or participation in Commission proceedings.

Funding is available in the following 2 categories. Please note that a separate application is required for each category, and the application must specify the category under which funding is being requested.

Indigenous Knowledge, land use and other related studies

Indigenous Knowledge, land use and other related studies to collect baseline data in regions where nuclear facilities currently exist or may be proposed in the future are eligible for funding. Other studies may include community-led traditional food and culture studies, environmental studies, or studies on other topics of interest to Indigenous Nations and communities.

The proposed activity should not be related to a specific nuclear project or regulatory process (that is, a CNSC licensing process, environmental assessment, or Commission proceeding). The proposed activity should not duplicate studies that already exist.

Staffing and internal resource support

Internal resource support to help Indigenous Nations and communities coordinate engagement activities, reviews, assessments, and other related work with the CNSC is eligible for funding. The resource will act as a liaison between the CNSC and the Indigenous Nation or community. Applicants may request funding to hire either a part-time or full-time resource for up to 2 years. Priority will be given to applicants hiring resources from within the Indigenous Nation or community to help build its capacity. The CNSC will consider capacity-building priorities, needs and interests when reviewing applications, along with the eligibility and assessment criteria below.

Who can apply

Indigenous Nations and communities, including Indigenous organizations or an aggregate of communities, in regions where nuclear projects and activities currently take place, or where they may take place in the future in Canada, are eligible to apply for funding. The CNSC will consider applicants who meet the program's eligible recipient, activity and expense (cost) requirements.

Assessment criteria

The CNSC will consider several factors in its decision when assessing funding applications:

• CNSC priorities for engagement and relationship building with Indigenous Nations and communities
• capacity-building priorities, needs and interests identified by the CNSC through direct engagement and communication with Indigenous Nations and communities
• relevance of the application to the CNSC’s mandate, the goals and objectives of the ISCF, and the specific funding opportunity
• the complexity of the activity or subject matter and associated resource requirements
• any pre-established maximum funding allocations in relation to the specific funding opportunity or activity
• the applicant’s previous experience with grant or contribution funding agreements with the CNSC, if applicable
• potential interest among Indigenous Nations and communities, and the number of funding recipients that can be expected (if applicable)
• total amount of ISCF financial resources available

Funding allocation

Applicants may request funding for up to 2 years for long-term activities.

Maximum funding allocation:

• Up to a maximum of $100,000 per year for Indigenous Nations and communities
• Up to a maximum of $200,000 per year for Indigenous organizations representing multiple Indigenous Nations and communities

The amount of funding per successful applicant depends on the complexity and associated resource requirements of the activity proposed, and the availability of funds.

How to submit an application

To apply for funding, complete the application form and send it to the ISCF mailbox.

Deadline

Applications received on or before June 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EDT will be considered.

If you have any questions about the application form, please contact the ISCF mailbox.

For more information

Additional information about the ISCF, including information on how to complete your application form, can be found in the Application Guide .

For questions about this funding opportunity, please contact the ISCF mailbox.

Apply now