Non-profit, charity or Indigenous community:

• Proof of eligibility: documentation confirming your community or not-for-profit incorporation (e.g., articles of incorporation) and your charitable status, if applicable. Please note that tax forms are not valid.
• A board of directors/Band Council list with contact information, including the organizational affiliation and title, email address and phone number.
• A copy of your most recent audited financial statements. A tax return will not be accepted.
• An operating budget for January – December 2026.
• Three letters of support from community partners and/or community participants you expect to benefit from your project.
• A completed application form.
• A completed project budget.

University or college:

• Proof of eligibility: a letter confirming the lead researcher is employed by the academic institution.
• A board of directors with contact information, including the organizational affiliation and title, email address and phone number.
• A copy of your most recent audited financial statements. A tax return will not be accepted.
• An operating budget for January – December 2026.
• A CV for the lead researcher on the project.
• Three letters of support from community partners and/or community participants you expect to benefit from your project.
• A completed application form.
• A completed project budget.

• Our team checks your status, eligibility, alignment with funding areas and the completeness of your documentation. We’ll let you know within two days if we spot any issues.
• You must provide missing details by March 18, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET.
• Only complete, eligible applications received by the deadline are considered by the CIRA Grants Evaluation Panel.
• The Evaluation Panel reviews and selects projects using this rubric and presents their recommendations to CIRA’s board of directors. CIRA’s board makes the final decision.
• Successful applicants will be notified and provided with approval letters and contracts in June. Once contracts are signed, the funds are released.
• CIRA staff will reach out to unsuccessful applicants in June.

• An email from CIRA to the primary contact in your application confirming your project has been selected and the amount of funding available.
• When you confirm your organization is ready to deliver the project as proposed, we provide a contract to sign, request your banking details and summarize how we will present your project publicly in a press release.
• When the contract is fully executed, the funds are sent via electronic funds transfer.
• Invitation to an onboarding session where we explain the project relationship, including our expectations around co-promotion of your project, and an opportunity to ask questions.
• Inclusion in a press release and promotion on CIRA’s communication channels.