CFAs: Indigenous Intellectual Property Grant Program Canada

Deadline: 12-Aug-25

The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program (IIPP) grant is a funding program designed to offer Indigenous Peoples additional support to understand and access Canada’s Intellectual Property (IP) system.

Objectives

• The purpose of the grants is to:
  • Explore ways to make the IP system more accessible to Indigenous Peoples,
  • Facilitate Indigenous Peoples’ use of the IP system to protect their innovations and creations,
  • Support Indigenous-led development of tools, guidelines or protocols with respect to the protection and use of IP and IP-related Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions,
  • Increase participation of Indigenous Peoples in domestic and international discussions on IP, Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.

Focus Areas

• In support of this purpose, the primary focus of the IIPP grants is on:
  • Education: activities and projects that empower more Indigenous Peoples to understand the IP system and how it can work for them, including developing IP strategies and protecting Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions through the IP system, or developing educational materials, training or guides.
  • Awareness: activities that help Indigenous Peoples and communities build awareness about IP, Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions, including developing protocols or research.
  • Capacity building: developing and strengthening IP-related skills and resources for organizations and communities, including establishing relationships and sharing knowledge, developing policy proposals, or representing Indigenous Peoples in international discussions.

Types of Streams

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Travel Stream: This stream makes funds available for travel to WIPO events, meetings, and negotiations related to IP and IK and ICEs, particularly the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).
• Small-Scale Initiative Stream: This stream makes funds available for short-term IP-related activities, limited in scale and scope, and resources required.
• Project Stream: This stream makes funds available for IP-related projects that are more complex or comprehensive than Small-Scale Initiatives, requiring more resources and a longer duration and can include a combination of activities.

Funding Information

• Total program funding in the amount of $150,000 per fiscal year is available to support travel, initiatives and projects relating to IP, IK and ICEs under three distinct streams:
  • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Travel
    • Grants up to $6,000 to help Indigenous organizations participate in WIPO sessions and events related to IP and IK and ICEs.
  • Small-Scale Initiatives
    • Grants up to $15,000 for IP-related initiatives on a small scale, that are short-term and narrowly focused.
  • Projects
    • Grants up to $50,000 for IP-related projects that are more complex or comprehensive than Small-Scale Initiatives, requiring more resources over a longer period of time.

Eligible Activities

• WIPO Travel stream:
  • Participation in World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) events, meetings or negotiations relating to IP and IK and ICEs; and
  • Research and preparation to support participation.
• Small-Scale Initiatives and Projects streams:
  • Development of guidelines, protocols, pilot projects or similar undertakings relating to IP and IK and ICEs;
  • IP education, capacity building and awareness raising activities, including hosting or co-hosting workshops, conferences, seminars, meetings, or other similar events;
  • Development of an IP strategy, including associated expert advice;
  • Research on and registration of IP;
  • Research on subjects related to IP and the protection of IK and ICEs;
  • Obtaining expert advice on issues related to the protection of IP and IK and ICEs; and
  • Participation in workshops, conferences, seminars, meetings, or other similar events, with a focus on IP and the protection of IK and ICEs, including travel to WIPO.

Eligible Expenses

• Eligible Expenditures are those incurred by a recipient and which, in the opinion of the IIPP Granting Authority, are reasonable and required to carry out the Eligible Activities to which they relate. Only costs that are deemed necessary in achieving the objectives for which the funding was granted will be eligible:
  • WIPO Travel Stream:
    • Travel and other related expenses, such as airfare, car rental, gas, taxis, parking, accommodations, meals, and incidentals must not exceed Government of Canada travel guidelines as set out in the National Joint Council Travel Directive. Applicants should select cost effective options for airfare, accommodations and other travel-related costs.
    • Reasonable time required for research and preparation to support participation.
  • Small-scale Initiative Stream and Project Stream:
    • Purchases of or subscriptions to educational resources or training;
    • Costs for hosting events regarding IP and IK and ICEs, whether virtual or in-person, including costs for logistics, technical requirements, and hospitality;
    • Payments to suppliers of goods and services such as printers, translators, graphic designers and proof-readers;
    • Fees for consultants or contractors, such as lawyers, researchers, policy advisors and facilitators, to support activities such as protecting and enforcing IP rights, developing an IP strategy, drafting policy papers, creating guidelines or protocols, supporting event planning, etc.;
    • Costs of purchasing materials directly related to the proposed activities;
    • Honoraria or compensation paid to Indigenous Peoples, such as knowledge holders, Elders, or cultural professionals, for their participation in events, training, meetings and discussions;
    • One-time training or workshop costs other than an ongoing program of study;
    • Conference, symposium or webinar fees;
    • Costs associated with registration of IP relating to an existing or in development product or service, including products or services based on IK or ICEs; and/or
    • Travel and other related expenses, such as airfare, car rental, gas, taxis, parking, accommodations, meals and incidentals, must not exceed Government of Canada travel guidelines as set out in the National Joint Council Travel Directive, if directly related to the initiative or project. Applicants should select cost effective options for airfare, accommodations and other travel-related costs.

Ineligible Expenses

• The IIPP grant funds cannot be used for the following types of expenses:
  • Costs covered by external contributors, such as:
    • donations or in-kind contributions
    • activities funded by another government source (federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal)
  • Costs or expenses related to:
    • contests and competitions, including prizes and awards
    • fundraising activities
  • Non-project activities, such as:
    • capital expenditures (e.g., computer equipment), unless explicitly identified as eligible
    • financing charges and loan interest payments
    • real property expenses (land acquisition, leasing, mortgages, renovations, etc.)
    • contributions to endowment funds
    • Research and development of products or services
  • Specialized fees and goods, such as:
    • lobbyist fees
    • goods or services provided by someone under 18 years of age
  • Any other expenses not related to achieving the objectives of the IP strategy and the IIPP grant
  • Activities illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada

Eligibility Criteria

• Your Indigenous organization is eligible to apply if it belongs to any of the following:
  • First Nations, Inuit, or Métis governments and organizations, Bands, Tribal Council, Indigenous self-government entities, local, regional or national Indigenous organization;
  • Registered charity or not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organization;
  • Incorporated for-profit Indigenous-controlled organization (including corporations);
  • Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations (including sole proprietorships or partnerships).
• Additional eligibility notes:
  • Indigenous-led: All proposals must be led by an eligible Indigenous organization(s) and focus on benefits for Indigenous Peoples.
  • Sub-contracting: Eligible organizations may sub-contract with an organization that is not itself eligible to apply.
  • Groups: A group of organizations may apply under a joint or shared application.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The IIPP grant cannot directly fund:
  • Public institutions not owned or operated by an Indigenous person(s);
  • Organizations with an Indigenous focus that do not have official Indigenous connections and are not owned, operated, or represented by Indigenous Peoples;
  • Organizations based outside of Canada;
  • Individuals not affiliated with an eligible Indigenous organization.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.