There is a competitive application process to access funding through the NIB Trust Fund.  Funding is available to groups and individuals. There is a separate application process for each. The individual application is available online in April of each year, and the organization application is available online in November of each year.  

All applications must be submitted online at nibtrust.ca/granting/how-to-apply

1. How do I access funding through NIB Trust Fund?

Payments from the NIB Trust Fund for education programs for individuals include, but are not limited to: 

Scholarships, bursaries, or financial assistance for costs associated with attending post-secondary institutions; 

Financial assistance to individuals to access opportunities in arts, science, or athletics; 

Funding to applicants that will assist First Nations and Métis with job skills training; 

Support for research of First Nations and Métis culture, history, and language to inform curriculum development and educate the public; 

Support to foster personal development by providing access to programs that address harms resulting from Indian Residential schools, including access to counseling, family development, and health promotion

 Eligible activities include but are not limited to:

Technical training for career advancement;

Programs which promote the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of First Nations or Métis history, cultures or languages;

Cultural education-traditional, ceremony knowledge building;

Strengthen education and employment training; or

Foster community and personal development, including access to counseling and other programs to heal communities from harms caused by the Indian Residential Schools.

2. What can individual applicants use the money for?

Funds will be dispersed to successful individual applicants by way of:

Scholarship (Post-Secondary) - Scholarships are money awards you receive for post-secondary education studies (i.e. University and College level studies). 

Bursary (Training/Certification) - Bursaries are money awards you receive for certificate programs and training from non-post-secondary institutions (i.e. Nechi Institute, AFOA, or other non-post-secondary institution). 

Award (Healing, Cultural/ Language/ Traditional Knowledge Building) - Awards are set dollar amounts for individuals who wish to pursue healing, cultural, language, or traditional knowledge building. This could include life skills programs, learning a language or skill from an elder or expert, learning traditional ceremonies, or acquiring land-based skills, etc. 
The application can be found here. 

3. How will funds be dispersed to successful applicants?

Currently, individuals can apply for a maximum of up to $20,000. However, in the 2022-2023 Individual call, the average amount awarded to a successful individual was $3,900. 

4. What is the maximum amount of money an applicant can apply for? 

Preference is given to former students of residential schools, but all First Nations and Métis over the age of 18 with a valid social insurance number are eligible for funding through a competitive application process. 

5. Do I need to be a former residential school student (or family member) to be eligible for funding? 

Yes. The application will be screened along with other applicants in the competitive process. 

6. If I receive funding this year, can I apply next year as well? 

This would have to be answered by existing funders. Funds received by NIB Trust cannot be used to reduce, replace or duplicate existing support available through federal, provincial, territorial or local governments, but may be used to augment and complement this funding.

7. I have been approved for funding from NIB Trust Fund. Will this affect my Treaty-based funding? 

No. Only educational activities taking place between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 will be considered for funding.

8. Can I apply for funding for an education program that has finished? 

No.  NIB Trust Fund does not offer funding for personal businesses because it does not fit with the mandate outlined in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement specified for these funds. 

9. Can I use this funding to start my own business? 

Pursuant to subsection 200(2) of the Income Tax Regulations, every payer of a research grant, scholarship, fellowship, bursary or prize (other than a prescribed prize) is required to report the amount on a T4A Slip, Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other Income. 

For individuals who receive a scholarship, bursary, or tuition for post-secondary education:

All successful applicants who receive a scholarship, bursary, or tuition for education will receive a T4A slip from the NIB Trust. 

For all provinces and territories except Quebec, scholarship, bursary and award income is fully exempt from tax when the income is received in connection with a program for which the student will get an education amount tax credit and for which he is enrolled full-time.  The income is not reported on the tax return.

For part-time students who can claim the part-time education amount, the amount of the scholarship, bursary, or tuition that will be exempted will be to cover tuition fees and costs of program-related materials. The Canada Revenue Agency provides a calculator to determine what amount is not exempted and that will need to be reported on line 130 of your personal tax return. 

If you are not eligible to claim the education amount, then only the first $500 of awards is tax free.  Amounts received in excess of $500 are reported on line 130 of your personal tax return. 

For Quebec students, the amount received will need to be included in the income, but a deduction for the full amount is allowed.  The scholarship, bursary, or other financial assistance amounts from box O of the RL-1 slip will be reported on Line 154 of the Quebec personal income tax return. It will also be reported on line 295, which deducts the amount from the taxable income. 

 All successful applicants who receive an award will receive a T4A slip from the NIB Trust. Since these amounts are not dedicated for formal education, recipients will be required to include this income on line 130 (Other income) on their personal tax return. For Québec recipients the amount will be included on line 154 (Other income) of the Québec personal income tax return. 

The amount will be fully taxable, but no tax will be deducted at source when the award is distributed. The recipients will be required to pay tax when filing their personal income tax return.

First Nations or Métis individuals residing outside of Canada are eligible to apply for funding through NIB Trust provided they have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number. 

11. Do you have to be a resident of Canada to access NIB Trust funds? 

No. Personal credit payments and all other formal compensation packages (Common Experience Payment and Independent Assessment Payments) are complete.  The NIB Trust funds are a separate and new opportunity for former students, First Nations and Metis individuals and organizations to access funding for education programs aimed at healing, reconciliation and knowledge building. 

12. I did not receive my personal education credit. Can I get it now through the NIB Trust Fund? 

Only online at https://nibtrust-apply.smapply.io 

Faxed, email, posted applications will not be accepted. The application must be completed online.

No. The NIB Trust Fund application is only available to view once the application opens. The application opens every year in April and closes in June. 

14. Is it possible to see a copy of the application before applying? 

Yes. The group and individual applications are separate processes and will be screened separately through a competitive process.

15. If I receive funding as part of a group, can I also apply for individual funding and vice versa?

Yes. The appeal process document can be found here. The appeal process does not guarantee funds.  Groups and individuals that/who have not received funding are encouraged to apply again in the next round.

16. My project or individual proposal was denied funding by NIB Trust. Is there an appeal process? 

Application deadlines are at 5:00 pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) on the date stated on the application form.

Education programs refer to the advancement of an individual’s education and personal development which relate to literacy or trades, as well as programs that relate to the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of First Nations or Métis history, cultures or languages.

 For the purposes of the NIB Trust Fund, educational programs are those provided by education institutions, cultural centers, organizations, communities and individuals/groups, whether short or long-term, informal or formal, or certified or non-certified.

 Educational Programs include, but are not limited to, those that:

 1. Strengthen education and employment training; 

2. Promote First Nations and the Métis languages and cultures; or, 

3. Foster community and personal development, including access to counseling and other programs to heal communities from harms caused by the Indian Residential Schools.

18. What constitutes an education program for the purposes of the NIB Trust application process?

NIB Trust Fund receives a large number of applications.  In order to ensure an adequate assessment and review of each, the screening and selection process for applications could take approximately four months. Group funding decisions are usually released end of March, individual finding decisions are usually released at the end of September/beginning of October. 

19. How long does the review process take?

Assessment of all applications comply with specific principles and guidelines set out by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the NIB Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions and Administration Plan. 

Applications are screened to ensure they’ve been received by deadline and contain all necessary documentation, including eligibility. Only complete applications will be evaluated and forwarded to the Trustees for consideration. 

Once an application is deemed to be complete it is forwarded to the Selection Committee for assessment and scoring. The Selection Committee makes recommendations to the Trustees on whether applications should be accepted or declined. The applicant will be informed by email or mail of the Board of Trustee’s decision.

20. What are the criteria for applications and what is the screening process? 

The funds cannot be used to reduce, replace or duplicate existing support available through federal, provincial, territorial or local governments, but may be used to augment and complement this funding. The funds cannot be used to pay debts.

21. Are there any restrictions to how the funds are used?

Assessments of all applications comply with specific principles, key criteria, priorities, and guidelines set out by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Administration Plan and the NIB Trust Fund.  The Board of Trustees appoints the Selection committee who will review all complete applications and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for funding. 

Applications are screened to ensure they’ve been received by the deadline and contain all requested documentation. Only complete applications will be evaluated and forwarded to the Trustees for consideration. 

The NIB Trust Fund cannot disburse or distribute funding for the following: 

Supplementation or compensation of an individual’s Common Experience Payment or Personal Credits amount; 

Activities outside the NIB Trust Fund’s objects; 

There is a competitive application process to access funding through NIB Trust Fund.  Funding is available to groups and individuals. There is a separate application process for each.  The Individual application is available online in April of each year, and the Organization application is available online in November of each year.

 “Groups” are any First Nation and/or Métis governments and/or communities listed as a “qualified donee” with Canada Revenue Agency at the time of application; OR First Nation and/or Metis non-profit organizations or societies listed as a “qualified donee” with the Canada Revenue Agency at the time of application. This includes other organizations that provide educational programs to First Nation and/or Métis individuals.  

Groups require specific designations by Canada Revenue Agency:

 In order for an organization (university, college, or other incorporated entities) to be eligible for funding through NIB Trust Fund, it must have charitable status as acknowledged by Canada Revenue Agency at the time of application.  Provincial designations of charitable status are not acceptable – it must be recognized federally.  To see if your organization is a registered charity please visit:  List of charities and certain other qualified donees - basic search (cra-arc.gc.ca)

 In order for a First Nation, Tribal Council, Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) to be eligible for NIB Trust Fund funding, it must have “qualified donee” status as recognized by Canada Revenue Agency at the time of application.  If your group is not on “The List of Municipalities or Public Bodies Performing a Function of Government in Canada” you are not eligible.  You can check to see if you are a “qualified donee” and/or apply for “qualified donee” status here:  Other organizations that can issue donation receipts (qualified donees) - Canada.ca

“Qualified donee” status is recognized by Canada Revenue Agency – a process that may take 3 to 8 months to obtain; depending on what status your organization/First Nation is applying for.  By federal law, charitable foundations in Canada are only permitted to make grants to qualified donees.  Historically, there was no need to apply for this special status but the rules have recently changed.  If a First Nation or Aboriginal organization needs qualified donee status, it must make an application to CRA and have its name added to a list.  With qualified donee status, an organization can receive grants from other charities/foundations in Canada to support programming. Qualified donees can also issue official donation receipts for gifts they receive from individuals or corporations. Please refer to Canada Revenue Agency’s web site for specifics on charities and whether or not you are a “qualified donee”: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/menu-eng.html

2. Who (or what) is a “qualified donee”?

3. Eligible expenses for group applicants include:

With respect to traditional education programs, Elder fees, guide fees, equipment, supplies, travel, fuel, and other similar incidental costs;

Instructional delivery wages and mandatory employment-related costs;

Purchase/development of course materials and supplies;

Adaption of current course material to add First Nation/Métis content;

Clothing specific to the training requirements (uniforms, steel-toed boots, raingear, etc.);

Other living expenses incidental to the participation in educational programs.

3. What can group applicants use the money for?

 Successful funding for groups will be dispersed through:

Grants: a grant is a non-repayable fund to a recipient. Grants are made to fund a specific project or targeted research. Grants may require some level of compliance and reporting.

Sponsorship:  The NIB Trust may assist community organizations to provide sponsorship to individuals to attend educational and career programs so young people from their local communities have opportunities to pursue college, university, and career success.

4. How will funds be dispersed to successful group applicants?

Currently provincial, regional and community groups can apply for up to $200,000. National groups can apply for up to $400,000.

5. What is the maximum amount of money a group can apply for through the NIB Trust Fund?

NIB Trust Fund receives a large number of applications.  In order to ensure an adequate assessment and review of each, the screening and selection process for applications could take approximately four months. Group funding decisions are usually released end of March.

6. How long does the review process take?

7. If I receive funding as part of a group, can I also apply for individual funding and vice versa?

 The funds cannot be used to reduce, replace or duplicate existing support available through federal, provincial, territorial or local governments, but may be used to augment and complement this funding. The funds cannot be used to pay debts.

8. Are there any restrictions to how the funds are used?

 The NIB Trust Fund cannot disburse or distribute funding for the following:

Supplementation or compensation of an individual’s Common Experience Payment or Personal Credits amount;

Activities outside the NIB Trust Fund’s objects;

Assessment of all applications comply with specific principles and guidelines set out by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the NIB Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions and Administration Plan.

Applications are screened to ensure they’ve been received by deadline and contain all necessary documentation, including eligibility. Only complete applications will be evaluated and forwarded to the Trustees for consideration.

10. What are the criteria for applications and what is the screening process?

1. Strengthen education and employment training;

2. Promote First Nations and the Métis languages and cultures; or,

12. What constitutes an education program for the purposes of the NIB Trust application process?

13. My group project or proposal was denied funding by NIB Trust. Is there an appeal process?

Yes. Applications are fixed for one-year terms or multi-year to a maximum of five years. Each successful organization is limited to two agreements within a ten-year period.

14. Is multi-year funding available for groups?

National Education Programs are programs that have across Canada scope.  All programs must promote an education program for First Nations and Metis Citizens on a national level.

A national program may be funded for a combined maximum period of up to 5 yrs. The maximum amount payable for National Programs is $400 000 annually. The program activities will require annual proposals, budgets, and reports.

Regional Education Programs are programs that have a Provincial scope. All organizations must promote an education program for First Nations and Metis Citizens on a provincial level.

A regional program may be funded for a combined maximum period of up to 5 yrs. The maximum amount payable for regional programs is $200,000 annually. The program activities will require annual proposals, budgets, and reports.

 Local/Community Education Programs are programs that have a local community scope. All organizations must promote a local education program for First Nations and Metis Citizens.

 A local/community program may be funded for a single year or a combined maximum for up to 5 yrs. The maximum amount for local/community programs is $200 000 annually.

15. What is the difference between National/ Regional/ Local-Community Projects?

16. If I receive funding as part of a group, can I also apply for individual funding and vice versa?

Yes, the NIB Trust Fund Call for Applications from Groups/Organizations is accessible to non-Indigenous groups/organization if the programming is intended for First Nations and Métis individuals.

17. Can Non-Indigenous Organizations apply for funding from the NIB Trust Fund if the programming is intended for First Nations and/or Métis citizens?

No, the applicant must have confirmed qualified donee status at time of application.

18. What if an organization does not have qualified donee status at the time of applying, but plans to have it within the near future?

Yes, the partner organization must have charitable status or qualified donee status at the time of application and will become the grantee.

19. If an organization does not have qualified donee status, can they partner with an organization that does?

Acceptable documents can include a statement of income or statement of cash flows, anything that showcases the financial capacity of the organization that is either the registered charity or qualified donee.

20. If the applicant organizations do not have audited financial statements, are there other documents that are acceptable to submit for the application?

Yes. However, it is not encouraged. Organizations who are submitting for different programs are in competition with each other.

21. Will you accept multiple applications for different programming from one organization?

No. The NIB Trust Fund application is only available to view once the application opens. The application opens every year in November and closes in January.

22. Is it possible to see a copy of the application before applying?

Only online at https://nibtrust-apply.smapply.io

The NIB Trust Fund’s mission is to provide resourcing to create meaningful opportunities that improve the quality of life for First Nations and Métis people.

We fund a variety of programming which is self-determined by First Nation and Métis organizations and communities. Programming can be local, regional or national in scale based on the goals and needs of their communities and members. 

The NIB Trust Fund also supports First Nation and Métis individuals with goals related to education, with 7,131  learners accessing NIB Trust funding for post-secondary school tuition, training, personal cultural knowledge building and land based activities to-date. 

1. What is the mission of the NIB Trust Fund?

The funds currently available to beneficiaries from the Trust are from the residual settlement funds from the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. These funds are restricted to be used for education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation.  

The Common Experience Payment, Independent Assessment Payment and Personal Education Credits are closed, and the funds dispersed through the Trust are different and separate from these compensation packages.

2. Where did the money in the NIB Trust Fund come from?

The NIB Trust Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, with a representative from each province and territory across Turtle Island. The Board overseas the management, strategic direction, and operations for the NIB Trust Fund. You can learn more about our current Board of Trustees here.

3. What is the governing structure of the NIB Trust Fund?

The NIB Trust Fund is a rapidly growing organization with the ultimate goal of offering funding for First Nations and Métis individuals and organizations through a competitive application process for the next 20 plus years. To view our financial statements, click here.

4. How long will funding be available through the NIB Trust Fund?

No. The NIB Trust Fund is a separate organization however it does have an obligation to report on its activities to the Chiefs in Assembly of the AFN once a year.

5. Is the NIB Trust Fund part of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)?

No. The NIB Trust Fund was established as a charity in 1975, with different mandate from the National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) now known as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).  The NIB Trust Fund administers the residual funds from the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, to support communities and individuals in their programs of education aimed at healing and reconciliation. 

6. Is the NIB Trust Fund the same as the “National Indian Brotherhood” (NIB)?

Today, the NIB Trust Fund contributes to the wellbeing of First Nation and Métis communities, individuals, and organizations by supporting several objectives and initiatives. The NIB Trust Fund serves beneficiaries through providing support for much needed economic, social, and cultural programming, thereby supporting the retention of First Nations culture and values across Turtle Island. 

Through these contributions, the NIB Trust Fund promotes Indigenous life, culture, and educational programs. This is part of the overall healing and reconciliation programs and services efforts stemming from the aftereffects of the Indian Residential Schools system. 

7. What are the NIB Trust Fund’s current objectives?

CTJ funding is for projects related to the work surrounding unmarked graves and burials at former Indian Residential Schools.  CTJ provides funding supports for projects that can include research, engagement and knowledge gathering, healing and ceremony, memorialization and commemoration, support groups, and bringing children home.

Annual group funding is for First Nation and/or Métis governments and/or communities listed as a “qualified donee” with the Canada Revenue Agency at the time of application. Group funding is for education programs focused on promoting healing and reconciliation and the wellbeing of First Nation communities. 

If you are unsure which type of funding to apply for, please call 1 (888) 268-0520 or email info@nibtrust.ca.

1. How is the Continuing Their Journey (CTJ) program funding different than the annual group funding?

The “Continuing Their Journey” (CTJ) Program is to support First Nation communities and Survivors with projects directly related to the burial sites and unmarked graves at former Indian Residential Schools. CTJ is specifically intended to address the traumas of the Indian Residential Schools System experienced by Survivors and their descendants residing in First Nation communities following the recovery and presence of unmarked graves at a former Indian Residential School site.

To be eligible for CTJ funding, project proposals must address the unmarked graves at former Indian Residential Schools by focusing on research, engagement and knowledge gathering, healing and ceremony, memorialization and commemoration, support groups, and/or bringing children home. Please see the CTJ page for a list of supported projects.

2. What types of programming can be funded by Continuing Their Journey?

Any Survivor organizations, support/counseling groups, First Nation organizations, governments, or communities with a project proposal related to the finding of unmarked graves at a former Indian Residential School site are welcome to apply.

The CTJ Program is an NIB Trust Fund Program. Applicants do not require qualified donee status and/or registered CRA charitable status to be considered eligible for CTJ projects. 

All applications must have written support from leadership and proof of Survivor involvement. We would recommend any prospective applications to have this documentation ready prior to confirming their interest in applying for this program.

The application process for the Continuing Their Journey Program is ongoing annually as funding permits. Deadlines for the CTJ Program are approximately every four months. For updates about CTJ application deadlines, subscribe to our newsletter at nibtrust.ca or contact info@nibtrust.ca for details.

4. What are the deadlines for the CTJ program?

The application process for the Continuing Their Journey program is different from the group and individual NIB Trust Fund application process. 

Parties wishing to apply for the CTJ Program must contact info@nibtrust.ca to express their interest. A program officer will follow up to help guide them through the online application and answer any questions.

Your organization must provide proof of leadership support for the proposed project, as well as Survivor involvement in the project. 

6. What supporting documentation do I need to file a CTJ application?

The maximum amount an applicant can apply for through CTJ funding is $200,000 for one year.  

7. What is the maximum amount of money a group can apply for through the CTJ?

Applicants can apply for additional years of funding after the initial funding is complete.

8. Can CTJ recipient be awarded more than once?

Yes, the CTJ Program and Group/Organization fund are separate. Each program does not affect or restrict applicants from applying for other types of programming. 

9. If I receive funding as a Group/Organization or Individual, can I also apply for CTJ funding and vice versa?

Contact us and we'll do our best to help find a solution.

Learn how to apply as a group or organization, how funding decisions are made, restrictions on funding and other questions. 

Advice and answers from the NIB Trust Fund Team

We're here to help with your application process. First, let's figure out if we have a solution in our documentation.

Discover how to apply as an individual, what kind of funding is available, what the screening process is like and more.

Learn more about how we were created, where the money in the NIB Trust Fund came from and other answers.

A1:         The funds currently available in Trust were identified in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement for education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation.  This is not a formal compensation package for former students of Indian residential schools. The Common Experience Payment, Independent Assessment Payment and Personal Education Credits are complete. The funds now in Trust are available to First Nation and Métis individuals, governments and organizations.  Preference will be given to former Indian Residential School students.

Q1:        Where did the money in the NIB Trust Fund come from?

A2:         Plans are in place to ensure the longevity of the NIB Trust Fund, with the goal of offering funding for First Nations and Métis individuals and organizations through a competitive application process for the next 20 years.

Q2:         How long will funding be available through the NIB Trust Fund?

A3:         Assessments of all applications comply with specific principles, key criteria, priorities, and guidelines set out by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Administration Plan and the NIB Trust Fund. The Board of Trustees appoints the Selection committee who will review all complete applications and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for funding.

Applications are screened to ensure they’ve been received by the deadline and contain all requested documentation. Only complete applications will be evaluated and forwarded to the Trustees for consideration.

Q3:         How are funding decisions made?

A4:         NIB Trust Fund receives a large number of applications.  In order to ensure an adequate assessment and review of each, the screening and selection process for applications could take approximately four months. Group funding decisions are usually released end of March, individual finding decisions are usually released at the end of September.

Q4:         How long does the review process take?

A5:         Education programs refer to the advancement of an individual’s education and personal development which relate to literacy or trades, as well as programs that relate to the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of First Nations or Métis history, cultures or languages.

For the purposes of the NIB Trust Fund, educational programs are those provided by education institutions, cultural centers, organizations, communities, and individuals/groups, whether short or long-term, informal or formal, or certified or non-certified.

Educational Programs include, but are not limited to, those that:

Strengthen education and employment training;

Promote First Nations and the Métis languages and cultures; or,

Q5:         What constitutes an education program for the purposes of the NIB Trust application process?

Help: Our History, Background & Other Questions

The NIB Trust Fund accepts applications for education programs aimed at healing, reconciliation and knowledge building. The funds in NIB Trust have been made available through the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and are available to First Nations and Métis citizens and organizations to access through a competitive application process.  There are two funding types – group and individual. 

There is a competitive application process to access funding through NIB Trust.  Funding is available to groups and individuals. There is a separate application process for each. The individual application is available on-line in April of each year, and the organization application is available on-line November or each year.

Q1:      How do I access funding through NIB Trust? 

Support to foster personal development by providing access to programs that address harms resulting from Indian Residential schools, including access to counselling, family development and health promotion 

Eligible activities include but are not limited to:

Advice and answers from the NIB Trust Fund Team

Individual Applications

Group Applications

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