Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy: National Program Guidelines 2026 to 2027
Table of contents
Strategy introduction
This strategy reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to a renewed relationship with Inuit, 1 framed by principles of reconciliation, including:
- recognition of rights
- respect
- cooperation
- partnership
- self-determination
The goal of the strategy is to close the post-secondary education attainment gap between Inuit students and non-Indigenous students in Canada through distinctions-based and regionally delivered strategic support.
These guidelines set out the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy delivery requirements for funding recipients that enter into a funding agreement with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for the delivery of the strategy.
These guidelines are effective as of April 1, 2026 and replace the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy: National Program Guidelines 2025 to 2026.
These guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions of the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy and the funding agreement signed by the initial funding recipient.
Local guidelines
Initial recipients may issue local guidelines provided they are consistent with the Terms and Conditions of the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy and the requirements set out in these guidelines.
Requirements for local guidelines are listed below. All initial recipients commit, as part of the funding agreement, to providing prospective applicants with ready access to the local guidelines.
Local guidelines refer to guidelines developed by each initial recipient that are specific to their particular circumstance and jurisdiction.
Initial recipients who choose not to issue local guidelines must nonetheless deliver a clear application process for students applying, which includes:
- determining their eligibility
- prioritizing the allocation of strategy resources
Initial recipients must make available up-to-date local guidelines and information about the processes for students applying for financial support and publish these online throughout the year.
Local guidelines and processes must, at minimum, include, but are not limited to:
- the application process and requirements including all documentation required from applicant
- the process, including the assessment criteria, to determine eligibility and to prioritize the allocation of resources
- the funding process
- the rules and criteria for deferring applications in situations where there are more eligible applicants than funds available
- a formal appeals mechanism for students where the administrative decisions and appeal rulings are made at the local level, as students cannot appeal to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- the requirements to remain eligible for financial support
- the maximum amount payable per student
- how to access the Terms and Conditions of the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy and these guidelines on ISC's website
Eligible components and activities
Eligible activities include all those related to the following 4 components of the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy:
- student financial support
- programs and services
- community engagement
- governance or national coordination
Activities may include, but are not limited to:
- student financial support
- transcript and application fees
- tuition and other student fees
- initial professional certification and examination fees
- books and supplies
- supplemental tutorial, guidance and counselling services
- living expenses, including for dependents, if applicable
- transportation support as needed
- expenses associated with travel home, including for dependents, as applicable
- child care as needed
- programs and services
- academic readiness and support
- wraparound services to students and their families such as mentorship or student-peer mentorship, Elder guidance, career counselling and student cultural support
- outreach and navigation services
- cultural education and life skills development
- information technology and remote location access to allow students the opportunity to complete distance education or online courses from their home communities
- community engagement
- local sessions for prospective students about post-secondary opportunities, course offerings and program eligibility
- facilitation of peer-to-peer transitions between prospective Inuit post-secondary students and alumni
- creation of awareness by showcasing and celebrating the success of alumni
- governance or national coordination
- data collection and management
- needs assessment and analysis
- engagement and partnerships
- management of processes and systems to support delivery
- development of culturally relevant content and curricula, as required
Ineligible expenditures
Capital and maintenance costs are ineligible under the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy.
Eligible recipients
Those who are eligible to receive funding distributed by the initial recipients are:
- Inuit who are beneficiaries of an Inuit land-claims agreement, regardless of where they reside in Canada
- community, education organizations and regional service providers, including, but not limited to:
- child care services
- employment programs
- mental health supports
- post-secondary institutions with degrees, diplomas or certificates that are recognized by a provincial or territorial body
Funding approaches for initial recipients
Transfer payments to funding recipients of the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy may be made using fixed contribution or flexible contribution depending on the recipient's eligibility and the service to be delivered.
The recipient retains the option to utilize set contribution funding as deemed appropriate.
The ISC officer responsible for the strategy can advise on the eligibility of these funding approaches as well as on the requirements related to the management of the funds.
The funding approach used to transfer funds to a recipient is identified in the recipient's signed funding agreement.
The following specific program directions for the management of transfer payments complement the directions provided in the recipient's signed funding agreement and are to be read in conjunction with the funding agreement.
Set contribution funding
Reallocation of funding:
Recipients may, with written approval by Canada, re-allocate set funding among any functional area in the same budget activity.
However, due to current restrictions in specific program authorities and/or program guidance documents, there are some limitations on the ability to fully utilize the reallocation latitude noted above.
Unexpended funding:
The Set Funding Approach does not include any provisions for carry forward of unexpended funding. All unexpended funding must be returned to the Receiver General.
Fixed contribution funding
Reallocation of funding:
During the fiscal year, recipients may, provided that planned Activities have been delivered, reallocate funding among Functional areas within the same budget activity.
Unexpended funding:
Provided that Activities have been started, the recipient may carry forward unexpended funding remaining at the end of the fiscal year for use in the next fiscal year, including the 1 year after the expiry of the agreement, to complete initial planned activities/results.If initial planned activities/results are complete, the recipient may carry forward the unexpended funding remaining at the end of the fiscal year for use in the next fiscal year, including the one year after the expiry of the agreement on an activity that is similar to, or has the same purpose as the activity for which the funding was provided, or in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved by Canada to spend the unexpended funding in the next fiscal year.
Any unexpended fixed funding remaining at the end of a fiscal year that cannot be carried over within the provisions for fixed funding must be returned to the Receiver General.
Flexible contribution funding
Reallocation of funding:
During the fiscal year, recipients may reallocate funding within functional areas in the same program inventory area.
However, due to current restrictions in specific Program Authorities and/or program guidance documents, there are some limitations on the ability to fully utilize the reallocation latitude noted above.
Unexpended funding:
Recipients may carry forward unexpended funding remaining at the end of each fiscal year, for use during the remaining term of the agreement on an activity that is similar to and has the same purpose as the activity for which the funding was provided, or in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved by the Department(s) to spend the unexpended funding during the term of the agreement.
Any unexpended funding remaining at the expiry of the agreement must be returned to the Receiver General.
Reporting requirements and monitoring and oversight activities
Reporting requirements
Reporting requirements for program and financial reports and their respective due dates are listed in the recipient's funding agreement. Details on these requirements are available in the Reporting Guide.
Recipients must report on all funds received and expended, including the use of unexpended funding detailed through an unexpended funding plan which must be provided before April 30 of the subsequent fiscal year. Consult the funding approaches section of these guidelines for details on the use of unexpended funds.
Recipients who have access to the ISC services portal can access the reporting forms by opening a session on the portal. Recipients who do not have access to the portal should contact their regional office.
All recipient reporting requirements are subject to monitoring and oversight activities to determine the accuracy of the information provided to ISC.
Monitoring and accountability
Activities audits, evaluations and targeted program or strategy reviews may be conducted in collaboration with the recipient, for example, desk and on-site reviews, to ensure that the program or strategy outcomes and objectives are being met and opportunities for continuous improvement with a goal to improve results for Indigenous Peoples are being identified.
Personal information
Indigenous Services Canada's collection and use of personal information and other records for the purposes of targeted program reviews, for example, desk and on-site reviews is limited to what is necessary to ensure the strategy delivery requirements are met.
ISC is responsible for all information and records in its possession. The confidentiality of the information is managed by ISC in accordance with the Privacy Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. p-21 and other related policies on privacy.
Recipients are responsible for the protection of personal information as per applicable provincial privacy statutes and regulations, and the recipient's policies up to the point that the personal information is transferred to ISC.
Accountability
ISC is committed to providing assistance to recipients in order to help them effectively carry out obligations under these guidelines and their funding agreements.
Regional offices and other ISC contacts are available to answer questions and provide guidance related to ISC programs and strategies and funding. Initial recipients must:
- deliver the strategy in accordance with the provisions of their funding agreement and the delivery requirements outlined in these guidelines
- ensure that the necessary management controls are in place to manage funding and monitor activities
- exercise due diligence when approving expenditures
- ensure that such expenditures are in accordance with the eligible expenditures set out in these guidelines
- report annually on activities and expenditures via data collection instrument and audited financial report that explicitly outlines post-secondary education expenditures
Indigenous Services Canada is accountable to provide funding to initial recipients in a timely manner through contributions payments under the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy.
Indigenous Services Canada is responsible for engaging with and, where applicable, incorporating feedback from initial recipients updating guidelines and Terms and Conditions of the strategy
Contact information
To find out more about the program, visit:
You can also write to:
Education Branch
10 rue Wellington - Suite 1455, Mailstop 25E-19
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4
Email: pse-eps@sac-isc.gc.ca