Deadline Date: August 26, 2026
The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program is seeking applications to support Indigenous Peoples and organizations in understanding and accessing Canada’s intellectual property system.
The objectives and focus areas of the program include making the intellectual property system more accessible to Indigenous Peoples, facilitating the use of intellectual property to protect innovations and creations, supporting Indigenous-led development of tools, guidelines and protocols related to intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous cultural expressions, increasing Indigenous participation in domestic and international discussions on intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous cultural expressions, education, awareness, and capacity building.
The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program is administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to support a more inclusive intellectual property system for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. The program forms part of the broader Intellectual Property Strategy under the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan and supports commitments related to reconciliation, Indigenous rights, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
The program provides funding opportunities for eligible Indigenous organizations to undertake activities related to intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous cultural expressions. These opportunities include support for travel to World Intellectual Property Organization sessions, small-scale initiatives and larger projects.
A total of $150,000 in program funding is available each fiscal year through three funding streams. The WIPO Travel stream offers grants of up to $6,000 to assist Indigenous organizations in participating in World Intellectual Property Organization sessions and events related to intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous cultural expressions.
The Small-Scale Initiatives stream provides grants of up to $15,000 for short-term and narrowly focused intellectual property-related initiatives.
The Projects stream offers grants of up to $50,000 for more comprehensive intellectual property-related projects that require greater resources and longer implementation periods than small-scale initiatives.
Eligible applicants include First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations, Bands, Tribal Councils, Indigenous self-government entities, and local, regional or national Indigenous organizations. Registered charities and not-for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations are also eligible to apply.
Incorporated for-profit Indigenous-controlled organizations, including corporations, as well as Indigenous-controlled unincorporated organizations such as sole proprietorships and partnerships, may also submit applications under the program.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
