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 2025 to 2026. 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 culturally relevant and high quality post-secondary education and thereby advancing First Nations access to and success in post-secondary education and contributing to closing the education attainment gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous students in Canada.
It is a First Nations-directed and regionally delivered, proposal-based program that supports First Nations control of First Nations education through First Nations-established post-secondary education institutions and First Nations-directed 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 and services for First Nations students that supports them to participate and succeed in post-secondary programming.
Capital and maintenance expenses are not eligible under the Post-secondary education Terms and Conditions. Other ineligible expenses include any student expenses that would be eligible under the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.
Who can apply
- band councils of recognized First Nations bands
- organizations designated by band councils, including:
- bands or settlements
- tribal councils
- education organizations
- political or treaty organizations engaged by or on behalf of First Nations
- 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 2025 to 2026.