Indigenous Intellectual Property Program Grant in Canada

Deadline: 8-Aug-23

Apply now for the Indigenous Intellectual Property Program (IIPP) to promote a more inclusive IP system for Indigenous peoples, starting with initiatives focused on education, awareness raising and capacity-building.

The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program (IIPP) grant is designed to support increased engagement in the IP system by Indigenous peoples in Canada.

It also seeks to provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples to advocate their interests through engagement activities, increase participation in domestic and international discussions on IP and IK and ICEs, and explore ways to make the IP system more accessible to Indigenous people.

The grant funds eligible Indigenous organizations to support participation in World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) sessions, small-scale initiatives and projects related to intellectual property (IP), Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Indigenous Cultural Expressions (ICEs).

The IIPP grant is administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.

Funding Streams

• There are three (3) funding streams under the IIPP grant:
  • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Travel Stream
    • This stream makes funds available for travel to WIPO events, meetings, and negotiationsFootnote related to IP and IK and ICEs, particularly the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) – not exceeding $5,000 for a single person per trip.
  • Small-Scale Initiative Stream
    • This stream makes funds available for short-term IP-related activities, limited in scale and scope, and resources required – not exceeding $15,000.
  • 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 as listed below – not exceeding $50,000.

Funding Information

• There is a total of $150,000 in non-repayable grants available for 2023-2024 (‘Funding Period’).

Guiding Principles

• The IIPP Granting Authority will be guided by the following principles when implementing the IIPP grant application process:
  • Respect Indigenous worldviews, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as articulated in UNDRIP (2007) and as supported in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2021);
  • Support and uphold the principles of reconciliation, articulated through the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015);
  • Support activities that:
    • Respect and encourage First Nations, Inuit and Métis self-determination;
    • Increase use of the IP system by Indigenous Peoples in Canada;
    • Recognize Indigenous creative and innovative practices and communities; and
    • Enable Indigenous economic, social, and cultural development.
  • Recognize the distinct and unique place of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada as holders, creators, interpreters, translators and transmitters of IK and ICEs;
  • Recognize the unique contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada to Canada’s economy and culture;
  • Recognize the distinctiveness of the many unique and self-defining First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, as well as the important roles and responsibilities of key individuals such as knowledge holders, Elders, women, leaders, and cultural advisors;
  • Support Canada’s commitment to inclusion and diversity by applying a Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) lens to the implementation of the IIPP whenever possible, including, but not limited to, considerations of gender expression or gender identity, sexual orientation, age and mental and physical disability.

Eligible Activities

• WIPO Travel stream
  • Eligible Activities for the WIPO Travel stream include:
    • 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
  • Small-Scale Initiative Stream and Project Stream
    • IP education, capacity building and awareness raising activities;
    • Development of an IP Strategy, including associated expert advice;
    • Research on and registration of IP;
    • Contracting or conducting 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;
    • Hosting or co-hosting workshops, conferences, seminars, meetings, or other similar events aimed at the development of policy positions on IP and IK and ICEs;
    • Development of guidelines, protocols, pilot projects or similar undertakings relating to 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.

Subject Matter

• Proposals must be focused on subject matter related to the protection of intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous cultural expressionsFootnote.
• The IIPP Grant could fund proposals focused on:
  • the protection of Indigenous IP under the Canadian IP regime (e.g., copyright, trademarks, industrial designs, patents, trade secrets, etc.);
  • the protection of IK and ICEs not currently protectable under, but related to, the IP system (e.g., collectively-owned IK and ICEs, knowledge about medicinal properties of plants, “styles” of Indigenous arts and crafts not covered under copyright, oral traditions that are not fixed, etc.) through alternative means such as the development of contracts, licence agreements, protocols, guidelines, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible organizations are Indigenous Organizations in Canada that are a part of the following Indigenous (i.e., First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) categories:
  • Recognized representative Indigenous bodies at the national, regional, or local level;
  • Indian Bands/Inuit Settlements;
  • District Councils/Chiefs Councils;
  • Indigenous Associations/Organizations;
  • Tribal Councils;
  • Other Indigenous Communities;
  • Indigenous Economic Institutions/Organizations/Corporations/Businesses;
  • Beneficiary organizations of comprehensive land claims and/or self-government agreements with any group of Indigenous people;
  • Indigenous Cultural Education Centres;
  • Indigenous Co-operatives; or,
  • Boards and Commissions.

Ineligible

• The IIPP Grant cannot directly fundFootnote:
  • Non-Indigenous-owned or -operated organizations or public institutions,
  • Indigenous-focused organizations that are not officially affiliated (i.e., owned, operated, or representatives) with Indigenous peoples;
  • Individuals; or
  • Organizations not based in Canada.

For more information, visit IIPP.