The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) is a grant from Indigenous Services Canada that funds Indigenous economic development through coordinated federal partnerships. The program provides up to $14. 45 million annually to support business development, infrastructure, feasibility studies, and workforce training across multi-year, multi-community projects.

Eligible applicants include Indigenous businesses, organizations, partnerships, joint ventures, and communities pursuing economic growth, clean energy initiatives, and expansion of Indigenous-owned enterprises. Funded activities span agriculture, forestry, transportation, professional services, and community economic development planning. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Strategic Partnerships Initiative | Program Guide 2026 Strategic Partnerships Initiative Last Update: March 6, 2026 Supports Indigenous economic development through coordinated federal partnerships Partnering and Collaboration Indigenous Services Canada The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) provides up to $14.

45 million annually to support Indigenous participation in economic development through investments in business development, infrastructure, feasibility studies, and workforce training. The program funds multi-year, multi-community projects aimed at fostering economic growth and supporting clean energy initiatives within Indigenous communities.

Develop strategic partnerships Reduce the ecological footprint Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting Transportation and warehousing Professional, scientific and technical services Health care and social assistance Other services (except public administration) Rural or Northern Residents Identification and development of business and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.

Expansion and growth of Indigenous-owned businesses and joint ventures. Development of economic infrastructure supporting regional and community needs. Community economic development planning and feasibility studies.

Workforce skills development and training initiatives for economic participation. The applicant must be an Indigenous business, organization, partnership, or joint venture. Eligible participants also include Indigenous communities, local governments, academic institutions, or provincial and territorial governments.

The project must foster economic development, such as economic readiness, infrastructure development, business expansion, feasibility studies, environmental evaluations, community economic development planning, or workforce skills development and training. Indigenous partnerships and joint ventures Indigenous communities and local governments Economic infrastructure development costs. Expenses related to business expansion and growth.

Costs for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Environmental diagnostic and evaluation expenses. Community economic development planning costs.

Workforce skills development and training expenses.

Eligible geographic areas Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada All Canadian provinces and territories Rural and remote communities in Canada Identify economic development opportunity Federal partners work with Indigenous communities and partners to identify promising economic development opportunities Focus on business, infrastructure, or clean energy initiatives aligned with SPI priorities Review and assess opportunity Opportunities identified are reviewed and assessed in collaboration with federal partners Projects must address gaps or needs not covered by existing programs Submit for committee approval Opportunities are submitted for approval to an interdepartmental investment committee Committee evaluates whether the proposed initiatives align with SPI goals Implement approved project Upon approval, project implementation begins under the leadership of a federal partner Resources and expertise are shared among partners SPI promotes collaboration among at least two federal departments for each initiative.

Initiatives are intended to benefit multiple communities and support regional economic growth over several years. Additional annual funding is available until 2027 specifically for clean energy projects within Indigenous communities. SPI simplifies access to government support through a single streamlined process involving multiple federal partners.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative Program Here are answers to the most common questions about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business. What is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) provides up to $14. 45 million annually to support Indigenous participation in economic development through investments in business development, infrastructure, feasibility studies, and workforce training. The program funds multi-year, multi-community projects aimed at fostering economic growth and supporting clean energy initiatives within Indigenous communities.

Who is eligible for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program? To be eligible for the Strategic Partnerships Initiative program, you must: Indigenous businesses, organizations, partnerships, and joint ventures What expenses are eligible under Strategic Partnerships Initiative? Identification and development of business and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.

Expansion and growth of Indigenous-owned businesses and joint ventures. Development of economic infrastructure supporting regional and community needs. Community economic development planning and feasibility studies.

Workforce skills development and training initiatives for economic participation. Who can I contact for more information about the Strategic Partnerships Initiative? You can contact Government of Canada (GC) by email at IPS-SPI@sac-isc.

gc. ca. Where is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative available?

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative program is available across Canada. Is the Strategic Partnerships Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit? Strategic Partnerships Initiative is a Partnering and Collaboration Who are the financial supporters of the Strategic Partnerships Initiative?

Strategic Partnerships Initiative is funded by Government of Canada (GC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist National Research Council Canada (NRC) Supports Canadian SMEs in adopting and integrating advanced AI solutions Canada Public Transit Fund Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) Supports long-term public transit and active transportation infrastructure development Wage Subsidies And Interns Open Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Employment Program (YEP) National Research Council Canada (NRC) , Government of Canada (GC) Researchers And Facilities Partnering and Collaboration Wage Subsidies And Interns Open Connect organizations with academia for research and innovation collaboration ISED — Artificial intelligence (AI) Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Supports testing innovative AI prototypes for Canadian government needs Global Innovation Clusters Innovation Canada , Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) , Government of Canada (GC) Financial assistance to work in collaboration on innovation projects Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) , Government of Canada (GC) Intellectual property training, tools and expertise Wage Subsidies And Interns Open ECO Canada — Student Work Placement Program Money to hire students for an environmental co-op Active Transportation Fund Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) Supports infrastructure projects for safer, more accessible active transportation Partnering and Collaboration Grant and Funding archived Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Program Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) Supports equality initiatives for sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity Get access to 10,000+ programs, practical guides, personalized alerts, and an AI assistant to support your grant applications.