Many Indigenous communities in Canada pay high energy costs and rely on diesel for heat and power. This is especially true in rural and remote regions. The federal government now offers clean energy and climate funding to help reduce diesel use, lower emissions, and support community-led energy projects. Some programs are made just for Indigenous communities. These grants can help with biomass heating, district energy, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
This guide highlights the main funding options and explains how your community can qualify.
The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program is the main federal grant for Indigenous clean energy projects in off-grid and diesel-reliant areas. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) runs this program.
What the program supports
Who can apply
Funding details
This program is a good fit for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities wanting to replace diesel heating with local biomass or shared district energy systems.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher help you find CERRC and other grants by province, community type, and project technology.
The Home Labelling Fund – Stream 3 (Indigenous) supports energy labelling programs for homes in Indigenous communities.
What it supports
This program does not fund energy systems directly. However, it can help your community collect baseline energy data, which strengthens future funding applications.
The Alberta Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (AICEI) provides funding and technical support for communities in Alberta.
Program focus
Who it is for
AICEI is helpful if your community is in the planning stage and needs both advice and funding.
The True North Aid Community Initiatives Program funds Indigenous-led projects in northern and remote areas.
Eligible activities
This funding can sometimes be used with federal grants to pay for community engagement or extra infrastructure.
Some streams of the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) allow Indigenous communities to apply directly or with a municipal partner.
Relevant project types
GMF funding is more technical and may require a feasibility study or pilot before full project funding.
Apply early for first come, first served programs
CERRC funding runs out quickly. Once all funds are gone, applications close.
Don’t skip community energy planning
Many programs, like CERRC, support planning and training. Skipping these steps can weaken your application.
Remember funding is not just for construction
Grants also cover feasibility studies, training, and project management.
Check stacking limits
You can often combine federal, provincial, and Indigenous funding, but there are limits on total government support.
If you need ongoing updates about new grants, GrantHub can notify you when new programs open or rules change.
Q: Can Indigenous communities own and operate energy systems?
Yes. Programs like CERRC support Indigenous ownership and control of clean energy assets, including biomass and district energy systems.
Q: Are biomass heating and district energy eligible?
Yes. Biomass heating, district heating, and CHP systems are eligible under CERRC to help reduce fossil fuel use.
Q: Is CERRC funding repayable?
No. CERRC provides non-repayable grant funding, not loans.
Q: Does funding cover training and local jobs?
Yes. Training, energy literacy, and capacity-building activities are eligible expenses under CERRC.
Q: Can we combine federal and provincial clean energy funding?
Often yes, but total government assistance limits apply. Each program should be checked carefully before stacking funds.
Clean energy and climate funding is available for Indigenous communities, but timing, eligibility, and project readiness are key. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active clean energy and Indigenous-focused grant programs across Canada. Use GrantHub to match your community’s goals, location, and technology with the right funding—and stay up to date as new programs open.
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