Indigenous primary health care funding – Innovation Fund

Important dates

Overview

The Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund (Innovation Fund) builds upon Alberta’s commitment to transform its primary health care delivery system to improve access to primary health care services for Indigenous peoples. It is intended to lay a solid foundation for the delivery of accessible, relevant, high quality, and culturally safe primary health care led by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Alberta.

The Innovation Fund program supports Indigenous-led programs that:

• build a high-quality primary health care system that is designed and delivered by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Alberta
• support community capacity to design and deliver culturally safe primary health care services for Indigenous peoples close to home
• strive to improve health equity for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Alberta in a way that honours and respects Indigenous expertise, knowledge, and traditional healing
• develop a path towards eliminating Indigenous racism within Alberta’s health care system, and build a culturally safe workforce that includes Indigenous providers
• mobilize First Nations, Métis, and Inuit primary health care system innovation with Indigenous peoples as partners

Program examples

The Innovation Fund is intended to provide flexible funding to assist Indigenous communities and organizations as they pursue priorities based on their unique primary health care needs.

Decrease barriers for Indigenous patients

These projects will involve accessing primary health care services in community or away from home, including health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, travel and accommodation supports, health benefit programs, or other community-led activities.

Increase access to culturally safe primary health care services through innovation

These projects include small-scale capital projects, virtual technology, mobile care, and development of new or stabilization of existing core human resources in community to deliver services.

Develop primary health care based education

These projects include primary health care based educational projects, activities or training modules, curricula that promote Indigenous ways of knowing; language and interpretation initiatives; and workshops or events that foster community connection.

Demonstrate innovation in primary health care delivery models

These projects are designed and delivered by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations address local needs and build upon strengths in the community, provide wholistic or wraparound care, that incorporate traditional culture and healing, and support partnership development and collaborative relationships.

Increase community capacity

These projects increase the capacity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations to develop primary health care models that can be sustained over time, business case development, feasibility studies, development of partnerships, demonstration projects, research and analysis projects, collaborative relationships, and community engagement activities.

Eligibility

Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations located in Alberta are eligible to apply including:

• First Nations
• Tribal Councils and Treaty Organizations
• Metis Settlements General Council and Metis Settlements within the meaning of the Metis Settlements Act
• Métis Nation of Alberta
• Aseniwuche Winewak Nation
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, including Friendship Centres
• Inuit Organizations registered in Alberta

Funding

Tier 1

Up to $2 million for projects that enhance community capacity, test promising practices, and establish partnerships, programs, initiatives, and infrastructure.

Tier 2

Up to $5 million to Indigenous partners to scale efforts or expand work scope for Indigenous-related programs, initiatives, and infrastructure.

Eligible projects

Indigenous communities may apply for projects that include (but not limited to):

• research, evaluation, and assessment of innovative primary health care models that could be implemented or scaled up in Alberta
• capital projects and investments (up to a maximum of $5 million) to implement an innovative primary health care model, including Business Plan development for such projects
• primary health care programs, and other projects that improve access, quality of care, and team-based, integrated care
• programs that support health promotion, disease prevention through all stages of life
• eligible initial start-up costs associated with the implementation of proposed primary health care projects

How to apply

Step 1

Download the Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund Guide

Step 2

Complete the application form

Step 3

Email your application to: [email protected]

Related

• Modernizing Alberta's Primary Health Care System