What is Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP)?
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) is delivered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) as a grant + equity contribution. Funding is typically up to $99,999 (individual) / $250,000 (community business). This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Up to $99,999 (individual) / $250,000 (community business) |
|---|---|
| Cost share | Variable (equity-based) |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Grant + Equity Contribution |
| Delivered by | Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Open - applied through Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) |
| Last verified | 2026-07-06 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All sectors
- Eligible activities: Start, expand, or acquire a business; working capital; equipment
Watch out for
Non-Indigenous majority ownership (for individual stream)
Deadlines & how to apply
Ongoing annual funding, no set deadline; confirmed open July 2026. Non-repayable contributions up to $99K for Indigenous entrepreneurs and $250K for community-owned businesses. Apply through your local Indigenous Financial Institution or Metis Capital Corporation (directory at nacca.ca); fund availability varies by IFI.
How NorthGrants helps with Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP)
Most business owners read about Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building an application that actually wins.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.