First Nations Resource Development Scholarship

The government is investing $10 million over three years to create new scholarship opportunities for First Nation students interested in pursuing careers in resource development. Ontario’s colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes play a key role in ensuring Ontario’s mining sector has a highly skilled workforce to drive its economy.

The objective of the scholarship is to support access to in-demand careers in the resource development sector by reducing financial barriers faced by First Nations students across Ontario wishing to enter postsecondary institutions, and by increasing enrolment in programs aligned with labour market needs identified across mining and related resource industries, including hands-on and technical training pathways.

Funding from the scholarship may be used to support students in offsetting educational costs associated with resource development-related programs, including tuition, ancillary fees, textbooks and program equipment.

Award
Variable
Deadline
11/01/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. If selected, can you provide either a Status Card or letter or statement from your band on official letterhead and signed by an authorized signatory to the institution to verify First Nations identity?
  2. If selected, I acknowledge I'll be asked for my social insurance number for Ministry reporting purposes.
  3. I have read and acknowledge the below Notice of Collection of Personal Information: If the student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, the Ministry will indirectly collect student’s personal information from their post-secondary institution pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 4 of s. 15(1) of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act. If a student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, the personal information collected by the Ministry will include information on their program of study and year of study at the post-secondary institution. The Ministry uses this personal information to administer the FNRD Scholarship program, which includes planning or delivering the program, allocating resources, evaluating or monitoring the program, and detecting, monitoring and preventing fraud or any unauthorized receipts of services or benefits related to the program. If student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, and student has applied for OSAP assistance, the Ministry will also use their personal information for the purposes of administering OSAP. If you have any questions about the Ministry's collection or use of your personal information, please contact: Director, Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ministry of Colleges and Universities, PO Box 4500, 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6G9; 807-343-7260