Bursaries & Scholarships

Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships

Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships (BBF) program opens doors through education.

Since 1996, Indspire has provided over $280 million in financial support through more than 84,000 bursaries, scholarships and awards to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. For a complete listing of Building Brighter Futures supports, please visit indspirefunding.ca.

How BBF is Supporting Students

Our Program is Growing

Our program has more than doubled in the last six years! This year, over 6,000 applications were processed – the highest number of applications ever received!

This year we were able to provide more money for individual First Nation, Inuit and Métis students

On average, the award amount for 2019-2020 recipients was over $800 higher than last year. This means more money goes to individual First Nation, Inuit and Métis students to help with their education.

Our team continues to work to improve our program, reduce wait times and fund as many students as possible

We have upgraded our student information database to ensure we can quickly match students with awards and make it easier for students to submit applications.

Our focus remains on YOU!

Building Brighter Futures’ funding model is unlike any other in the country, wherever possible funds are awarded to a student to use as they wish – tuition, childcare, food, cultural support, shelter, travel, etc.

Bursaries and Scholarships for Post-Secondary Education

Post-Secondary Education Programs

Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs.

There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries and scholarships (with a few exceptions that you’ll see below). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries and scholarships. September 2025 to August 2026 academic year.

Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships program is made possible thanks to generous supporters and federal and provincial governments. While we work to increase the amount of funding available each year, due to the growth in the number of applications, we’re not able to fund every student that applies.

Apply Now

Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students

Indspire recognizes Indigenous post-secondary students may experience extreme hardships throughout their academic career. To assist eligible students, Indspire has established the Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students seeking emergency bursaries for short-term relief.

If you are:

• Currently being funded through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program OR have completed an application prior to requesting this emergency bursary;
• Meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous students’ program guidelines;
• Requesting emergency funding: emergency situations include short-term displacement caused by physical factors such as house fire or natural disaster, need to travel home for family emergencies or death, illness that requires immediate medical treatment for themselves or dependents, injury, or theft;
• Enrolled in a trades program that is four (4) weeks or more in length;
• Enrolled in a post-secondary program that is four (4) months or more in length; at an institution that is accredited or recognized by a provincial ministry or the federal government in Canada or pursuing graduate studies outside of Canada; and
• A member of a recognized Canadian First Nations, Inuit, or Métis band and/or community;

If you find yourself in the emergency situation outlined in the guidelines above, please contact Taylor Bradley for more information at education@indspire.ca.

Deadlines: Ongoing from October 15^th to February 1^st.

Bursaries and Scholarships with unique deadlines

None available at this time, check back soon!

Post-Secondary Education – Skilled Trades

Post-Secondary Education Programs: part-time or full-time certificate or diploma programs (1 month to 4 year programs)

Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships program is made possible thanks to generous supporters and federal and provincial governments. While we work to increase the amount of funding available each year, due to the growth in the number of applications, we’re not able to fund every student that applies.

Apply Now

Student Success Stories

Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program is helping them realize their educational dreams. Hear from students, in their own words, how Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program is helping them through their educational journey.

Questions?

Building Brighter Futures Supporters

For a complete listing of Building Brighter Futures Supports, please visit indspirefunding.ca.

$5 Million +

$2 Million – $4,999,999

$1 Million – $1,999,999

$500,000 – $999,999

$250,000 – $499,999

$100,000 – $249,999

$25,000 – $99,999

Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades and Technology Bursaries