Post-Secondary Partnerships Program
This program funds band councils of recognized First Nations bands, organizations designated by band councils and First Nations established post-secondary education institutions.
First Nations control of First Nations education
Respecting the principle of First Nations control of First Nations education, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides funding to the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program to support First Nations established post-secondary education institutions and First Nations-directed community-based programming. This program supports First Nations in defining their own partnerships with educational institutions to increase the availability of post-secondary education programs tailored to First Nations cultural and educational needs.
A call for proposals will take place in fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Contact your ISC regional office for the opening dates of the call for proposals and for more details.
On this page
About the program
This program aims to increase the number of First Nations students pursuing post-secondary education and contribute to closing the education attainment gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous students in Canada.
The program is First Nations-directed, regionally delivered and supports First Nations-established post-secondary education institutions and First Nations community-based programming.
Funding allocations are determined by a 2-step process:
- regional allocations are made based on First Nations population distribution
- First Nations designated and directed organizations in each region will work with ISC in the allocation of funds according to program guidelines
Eligible expenditures include the direct costs for First Nations and First Nations established post-secondary education institutions to develop and deliver post-secondary education programming for First Nations students.
Capital and maintenance expenses are not eligible.
Who can apply
- Band councils of recognized First Nations bands
- Self-governing First Nations
- Organizations designated by band councils:
- bands or settlements
- tribal councils
- education organizations
- political or treaty organizations engaged by or on behalf of First Nations and First Nations established post-secondary education institutions
- The First Nations University of Canada
Deadline
Contact your ISC regional office to find out when to submit your proposal.
How to apply
To find out how to apply, contact your ISC regional office.
To learn more, consult the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program: National Guidelines 2024 to 2025.