Education Partnerships Program: Regional Education Agreement Development: National Program Guidelines 2025 to 2026

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Program introduction
  3. Objective
  4. Eligible recipients
  5. Eligible activities
  6. Expenditures
  7. Proposal process and assessment criteria
  8. Funding
  9. Reporting requirements and monitoring and oversight activities
  10. Personal information
  11. Accountability
  12. Contact information

Introduction

The Government of Canada is committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation and government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership as the foundation for transformative change. The implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires transformative change in the government's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

These efforts must be guided by Canada's obligation to respect and uphold First Nations' inherent, Indigenous and treaty rights, including those rights to education referenced in specific treaties and self-government agreements. The nation-to-nation relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations is rooted in historic treaties, the numbered treaties, self-government agreements, section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and informed by the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.

1. Program introduction

Indigenous Service Canada's transformative education policy framework aims to fundamentally improve the way ISC funds First Nations elementary and secondary education, while supporting regional and local diversity and increased First Nations control of First Nations education.

This education policy framework is informed by the Transforming First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education Policy Proposal (2017), co-developed by the Assembly of First Nations, the National Indian Education Council and ISC. The framework provides the funding supports for First Nations partners to address the education goals and priorities of their students, schools and communities.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) supports the advancement of First Nations student achievement in First Nations, independent, provincial and territorial schools through the Education Partnerships Program (EPP). This program has 3 proposal-based components:

Each component has its own set of national program guidelines outlining the eligibility criteria and proposal information requirements and set out the delivery requirements for funding recipients that enter into a funding agreement with ISC for the delivery of the EPP.

1.1 Regional Education Agreement Development

Indigenous Service Canada provides funding to support the following activities which are expanded upon in section 4 and section 6:

  • information sessions on education transformation
  • the establishment of technical tables for interim regional funding formulas or REAs
  • the negotiation or renegotiation of an REA

First Nations may choose to develop an REA to facilitate greater control of education through education systems they design. Through the REA, First Nations partners can determine the distribution of core education funding they receive. For example, by developing or modifying an education service map, First Nations may examine the funding they receive for kindergarten to grade 12 and determine how to best allocate that funding in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Program's terms and conditions.

Regional Education Agreements can be based on the current interim regional funding formula allocations or can be based on funding levels beyond the interim regional funding formula allocations in order to improve student outcomes not achievable with the interim regional funding formula allocations.

Where REAs are based on current kindergarten to grade 12 authorities and the interim regional funding formula allocations, ISC can conclude or sign them without seeking central agency approval.

Where REAs are to be based on amended or new authorities and funding beyond the interim regional funding formula allocations, central agency approval is required first in order to conclude or sign them.

Indigenous Services Canada is a supportive partner in the co-development of the First Nations' request for needs-based funding for central agency consideration. Needs-based funding required to improve student outcomes must clearly demonstrate:

  • the student outcomes that the participating First Nations are seeking to improve and which cannot be achieved with current funding
  • the required activities to be implemented to support improved outcomes
  • how progress towards achieving the targeted outcomes will be measured
  • the associated costs of the activities

Regional Education Agreements must address the following 4 pillars:

  • comprehensive funding arrangements, covering all federal support for First Nations elementary and secondary education, including special education and education supports for languages
  • clear and defined roles and responsibilities of the parties to the REA, including applicable service standards and service partners (service mapping), as determined by First Nations
  • mutual accountability mechanisms with clear objectives, performance indicators and reporting expectations for both the Government of Canada and First Nations education system participants Performance Management Framework
  • First Nations will give direction to outline processes of working with ministries of education to ensure quality education is provided to First Nations students attending provincial, private or territorial schools

The region aspect of an REA is defined as any territory which First Nations choose to implement First Nations control of First Nations education and negotiate or renegotiate a First Nations REA. This can include, but is not limited to, a territory defined as a:

  • single First Nation
  • tribal council
  • treaty affiliation
  • language family
  • all First Nation communities within a province

2. Objective

The objective of the REA Development funding is to support First Nations partners with the implementation of:

  • formalizing education systems to support stronger service
  • actively working on a First Nations-designed education system that reflects their vision of culturally-appropriate education to achieve student success
  • designing education frameworks around specific initiatives, determined by First Nations, to address specific priorities leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes
  • identifying the source data and methodology used to cost activities related to improved student outcomes
  • outlining how the Government of Canada can better support First Nations students, schools, communities and education organizations in ensuring that First Nations students receive a high quality, linguistically and culturally appropriate education that will support improved student outcomes and strengthen First Nations control of First Nations education

3. Eligible recipients

Applicants who may be eligible to receive funding for this program are:

First Nations organizations mandated by First Nations must demonstrate support in writing from the First Nations, such as but not limited to, a band council resolution, letter or email of support.

Where the applicant is engaging in the development or renewal of an REA, a band council resolution from each participating First Nations is required prior to or concurrent with submitting a proposal.

Entities such as bands or First Nations organizations that are delivering education services under a self-government arrangement are not eligible to apply to the REA Development component.

4. Eligible activities

Regional Education Agreement Development funding is provided to support the following activities:

5. Expenditures

5.1 Eligible expenditures

Subject to section 5.2, eligible expenditures include:

  • short-term, non-permanent funding for salaries and benefits
  • travel expenditures including accommodation costs, private vehicle mileage allowances and daily meal allowances in accordance with the rates set out in the National Joint Council Travel Directive, excluding incidental allowances
  • meeting costs including facility rentals, meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment rentals and hospitality
  • professional services, consulting fees or Elder engagement, daily rates and duration of contract(s) must be clearly stated
  • honoraria for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural and ceremonial drummers and dancers
  • legal advice, excluding litigation costs

5.2 Ineligible expenditures

Ineligible expenditures include, but may not be limited to:

  • provincial tuition or activities related to core programming
  • activities related to the exploration, negotiation or renegotiation and implementation of self-government agreements
  • infrastructure, construction, operation or maintenance of federal and First Nations school facilities
  • travel outside Canada
  • any activity expenditure that would result in duplicate funding such as receiving funding from more than 1 source for the same cost of an activity, including fees and services covered through tuition agreements
  • door prizes, swag bags and gifts

5.3 Maximum administration costs

Eligible administration costs include only actual costs associated directly with administering the REA proposal and may be calculated based on the total funding requested for activities to a maximum of 15% of the requested funding.

Eligible administration costs include, but are not limited to:

  • office space and utilities
  • administrative overhead such as:
    • stationery and office materials
    • cell phones and office telephones
    • individual IT equipment
  • the collection, maintenance and reporting of data and information in accordance with program and financial report requirements
  • costs associated with ensuring that personal information is appropriately managed and safeguarded during its collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal

When a funding recipient further transfers funds that were received under this component, to a third party, the 15% allowed for administration costs must be divided between the parties, as agreed to by the parties.

The total administration costs retained by all parties must not exceed 15% of the sub-total amount requested before administration costs.

6. Proposal process and assessment criteria

Applicants must complete the official 2025 to 2026 REA Word proposal template and submit it, together with all applicable supporting documentation, such as letters of support and quotations for professional development and IT, by the proposal submission deadline of December 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. The amount of funding allocated to recipients is based on the number, eligibility and merit of proposals submitted in the respective region, relative to the regional allocation. Therefore, eligible proposals may not be fully funded. Regional allocations will be reviewed annually.

Proposals will be assessed based on applicant eligibility, the detailed breakdown of the eligible components and activities as outlined in section 4 and the clear information provided in the proposal. Proposals must include:

The mandatory proposal sections must be completed with clear information, including financial details. Missing information, or the lack of clarity, will directly impact the assessment of the proposal and additional information or revisions may be requested. Failure to provide additional information within requested timelines may result in the proposal being denied entirely.

Applicants who are applying to the REA component can only submit a single-year proposal.

7. Funding

7.1 Funding recipients

A funding recipient is a successful applicant who has signed a funding agreement with ISC.

7.2 Duration of funding

2025 to 2026 approved funding will be provided through a 1-year contribution agreement.

A given year's level of approved funding does not guarantee funding or the same level of funding in following years.

7.3 Funding approaches

Transfer payments to REA Development funding recipients will be made using fixed contribution. ISC regional officers can provide information on the eligibility requirements of these funding approaches and 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.

7.3.1 Fixed contribution funding

Reallocation of funding: During the fiscal year, recipients may reallocate a reasonable percentage of funds among the eligible activities and expenditures of their ISC-approved proposal for the REA component of the program.

Unexpended funding: Recipients may retain unexpended funding from a fiscal year, to expend in the 1-year period immediately following the fiscal year for which it was provided, on eligible activities and expenditures outlined in these guidelines.

7.4 No duplication of funding

Regional Education Agreement Development funding is not designed to duplicate funding for activities funded by other programs, nor to supplement funding from other program areas, such as core education funding under ISC's Elementary and Secondary Education Program.

8. Reporting requirements and monitoring and oversight activities

8.1 Reporting requirements

The reporting requirements such as program reports and financial reports and their respective due dates are listed in the recipient's funding agreement and 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 they were able to retain to use in the following 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 ISC regional office.

Recipients of REA Development funding in 2025 to 2026 are responsible for completing a final report, using the Activities and Expenditures Report data collection instrument (DCI) and submitting it to the ISC regional office, or, uploading it to the ISC Services portal by June 30, 2026.

If the funded work has not concluded, final reporting should also include a plan detailing the amount of deferred revenue, as well as information on next steps and timelines. Recipients are required to report 2025 to 2026 deferred funding in the Additional comments section of their final report, for each activity as applicable. Deferred funding can only be carried forward for 1 year and must be used in that fiscal year. Information to highlight in reporting can include:

  • service map
  • outline of roles and responsibilities of First Nations and First Nations education organizations
  • mutual accountability mechanisms
  • REA, draft or final

Under the terms and conditions of a Contribution Funding Agreement, recipients of REA Development funding are required to submit final reports for each fiscal year. For the 2025 to 2026 Call for Proposals process, proposals will not be given consideration where there are outstanding EPP reporting obligations from fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and earlier.

8.2 Monitoring and oversight

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, activities including audits, evaluations and targeted program or strategic reviews may be conducted in collaboration with the recipient, for example, desk and on-site reviews.

9. 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, will be limited to what is necessary to ensure program delivery requirements are met.

Indigenous Services Canda is responsible for all information and records in its possession. The confidentiality of the information will be 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 provincial privacy statutes and regulations and the recipient's policies up to the point that the personal information is transferred to ISC.

10. Accountability

Indigenous Services Canada is committed to providing assistance and mutual accountability to recipients in order to help them effectively carry out their 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 funding.

Recipients must:

11. Contact Information

To find out more, consult the Education Partnerships Program web page.

Visit the ISC regional offices page to find your regional office contact.

You can also write to:

Education Branch
Regional Partnerships Directorate
Indigenous Services Canada
10 rue Wellington – Suite 1455, Mailstop 25E-19
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4
Email: education-education@sac-isc.gc.ca

To learn more about education programs, consult the national program guidelines.

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