Supporting Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations program
Funding to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage in decision-making processes and advance systemic change.
Call for multi-year concept submissions: closed
The deadline to submit a concept for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year was September 26, 2025.
On this page
About the program
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) is working with Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to:
- develop and support relationships based on trust and respect
- create opportunities to empower and engage Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in decision-making processes that impact their lives
This program funds projects that:
- increase the ability of Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage at the grassroots level
- advance grassroots voices and the priorities of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people within all levels of government
- support real and meaningful systemic change in Canada
The goals of this program are to:
- actively engage grassroots in the development of the governments' legislative and policy agendas
- ensure that government policies, programs, legislation and services are reflective of grassroots priorities and perspectives
- increase awareness of government policies and programs among grassroots through outreach with Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ communities and organizations
- improve access to funding opportunities through relationship building across all level of government
Budget 2021 allocated $36.3 million over 5 years, and $8.6 million ongoing for this program. It responds in part to the MMIWG Calls for Justice and contributes to calls 1.3, 1.4, 16.41, 17.3 and 18.2.
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, your organization must:
- be a Canadian organization
- be an Indigenous not-for-profit organization
- have a mandate that specifically focuses on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people (on and off-reserve, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, urban or Non-Status Indian)
- have proof of incorporation or registration and current good standing
Eligible activities
Concepts should focus on activities that increase organizational capacity and influence systems and policies. These may include:
- community engagement and grassroots consultation
- research, studies, or knowledge sharing
- policy or program development input
- culturally specific GBA Plus capacity building, advice or tools
- initiatives that support systemic change
For a full list of eligible activities, see the application guidelines.
How to apply
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year will follow a two-stage process.
Before submitting a full proposal, eligible organizations are asked to submit a concept note – a short outline of a proposed initiative. This helps reduce the application burden and allows us to assess eligibility and alignment with the program before inviting full applications.
Organizations with selected concept submissions will be invited to submit a detailed application package, including a completed program application with a full project plan and budget.
To apply:
- Request the call for concepts package, which includes the concept note template and guide to completing your submission, by emailing programmeFA2E-IW2SProgram@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
- Review the guidelines thoroughly for:
- eligibility and capacity criteria
- concept note requirements:
- project objectives
- community need
- planned activities
- expected outcomes
- information on alignment with the program objectives and mandate priorities
- details on the selection process, including how certain concepts will be invited to submit full proposals
- Prepare your concept note and supporting documents for multi‑year initiatives (3 to 5 years) beginning in fiscal year 2026 to 2027
- Submit your complete concept package between August 26 and September 26, 2025, by either email or mail:
- Email: ProgrammeFA2E-IW2SProgram@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
- Mail: Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Relations Unit, Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
10 rue Wellington, 20th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
- Ensure all mandatory materials are included. The following documents must accompany the concept note:
- confirmation that the applicant is a Canadian organization
- confirmation that the applicant is an Indigenous not-for-profit organization
- confirmation that the applicant's mandate focus is Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people (on and off-reserve, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, urban or Non-Status Indian)
- proof of incorporation or registration
You may also be asked to provide:
- certificate of good standing
- organization's bylaws
- list of Board of Directors
- most recent Audited Financial Statement
- evidence of community support
About concept notes
A concept note is a concise summary that includes:
- a brief summary of how your organization meets the eligibility criteria and aligns with the programs objectives
- a summary of your project idea, including its main objectives, planned activities, expected outcomes, project duration, and a ballpark budget estimate
- a full proposal does not need to be provided at this point
- a description of how your project supports at least one of the Prime Minister's May 2025 Mandate Priorities
- projects are not required to address a priority in full, only to explain how the work will contribute – even if it is indirect, it can still count
- a summary of how you plan to share the outcome of your project with the department or the Government of Canada to inform priorities and influence change
Selection process
Concept notes will be reviewed based on:
- eligibility and organizational capacity
- alignment with program goals and government priorities
- geographical and distinction-based equity
- feasibility of the project
Submitting a concept note does not guarantee invitation to the next stage. Only selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Deadlines
The deadline to submit a content note was September 26, 2025. Invitations to submit full proposals were sent to selected applicants in October 2025.
Funding decisions will be made in January 2026, with funding for selected projects starting in April 2026.
Guidelines
For more information on the selection process, reporting requirements and eligible expenses, consult Supporting Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations program: Application guidelines.
Terms and conditions
Previously selected projects
Contact us
If you have questions about the program, need an application form or need help preparing your concept submission or application, please contact:
Email: ProgrammeFA2E-IW2SProgram@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
Mail
Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Relations Unit
Indigenous and External Relations Branch
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
10 rue Wellington, 20th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
Canada