Call for Applications: Language Vitality Program (Canada)

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) offers the Language Vitality Program, providing funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in British Columbia (B.C.) and help create fluent speakers. Applications are due 19 November 2026 at 4:30 p.m. PT. Funding ranges from up to $75,000–$300,000 for project-based categories and up to $600,000 per year for plan implementation. Opportunity at a Glance

- Funding organization: First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)

- Opportunity name: Language Vitality Program

- Opportunity type: Community-led language revitalization grants (project-based and plan implementation)

- Eligible locations: British Columbia (B.C.), for eligible applicant organizations located/operating in B.C.

- Application deadline: 19/11/2026, 4:30 p.m. PT

- Estimated project term (program cycle): 1 April 2027 – 31 March 2030

- Grant amount ranges (by category):

- Rise: up to $75,000 (single year)

- Roots: up to $150,000 per year for up to 2 years

- Grow: up to $300,000 per year for up to 2 years

- Flourish (plan implementation): up to $600,000 per year for 3 years

- Funding note: Funding for all categories is subject to availability (as stated in the source)

About the Opportunity

The Language Vitality Program provides funding and support for community-led initiatives that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. It recognizes that First Nations languages vary and that each community designs and implements language programs based on its own needs and goals. Funding is available through four funding categories: Rise, Roots, Grow, and Flourish. These categories support both project-based work and implementation of approved long-term strategic language plans. Funding and Benefits The program offers funding through four categories: - Rise Project Funding

- Amount: up to $75,000

- Duration: 1 year

- Timeframe: April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028

- Best fit (as described): smaller teams getting started or working on one or two project areas

- Roots Project Funding

- Amount: up to $150,000 per year

- Duration: up to 2 years

- Timeframe: April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029

- Best fit (as described): teams with experience expanding into new areas

- Grow Project Funding

- Amount: up to $300,000 per year

- Duration: up to 2 years

- Timeframe: April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029

- Requirement (as described): Grow applications must include strategic long-term language revitalization planning strategies

- Flourish Plan Implementation Funding

- Amount: up to $600,000 per year

- Duration: 3 years

- Timeframe: April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2030

- Requirement (as described): includes a minimum of three strategies

- Best fit (as described): teams with an approved long term strategic language revitalization plan actively implementing multiple strategies

Other stated support and requirements vary by strategy (for example, in the Reclaiming My Language: A Course for Silent Speakers section, FPCC notes training, ongoing support, course materials, and that funding can be used to support travel). For exact scope and grant use rules, applicants should consult the official Language Vitality Program Guidelines. Who Is Eligible? The following are eligible to apply (as stated in the source): - Recognized First Nations governments, bands, or tribal councils located in B.C. - B.C. First Nations–led museums, cultural spaces, and not-for-profit societies registered in B.C., in good standing, governed by B.C. First Nations individuals with at least 65% of directors identifying as members of one of the 204 recognized B.C. First Nations - Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations governed by B.C. First Nations individuals with at least 65% of directors identifying as members of one of the 204 recognized B.C. First Nations - B.C. First Nations schools and adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands

Important application note for schools:

- If a First Nations school serves one community, the application must be submitted through its respective Nation/Band Office (as stated in the source). If you are unsure about eligibility, the source directs applicants to contact [contact details removed]. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The program funds community-led language revitalization strategies. The source describes several eligible strategy areas: - Language Revitalization Plan Development - Supports First Nations communities in B.C. to develop comprehensive, long-term plans for revitalizing and strengthening languages. - The source notes that plan-based Flourish funding requires a completed strategic language plan. - For Grow funding, applicants must either have started a strategic language plan or apply for funding to do so. - Language Immersion

- Includes immersion programs for:

- School-age children (outside accredited K-12 programs) - Adults - Mentor-apprentice type programs - Other immersion programs - The source notes that for early childhood immersion, applicants should see the “Language Programs for Early Childhood” section. - The source also states that activities like Language Camps and Language on the Land are often not delivered fully in immersion; these types of activities are funded under Community Engagement and Language Through Culture instead. - Language Programs for Early Childhood (ages 0–5) - Supports programs helping young children hear and learn First Nations languages through exposure, instruction, or immersion programming (e.g., language nests). - Examples include daycares, preschools, Head Start, or other early care and learning programs. - Non-Immersion Language Strategies - Covers language learning or related support not delivered fully in immersion. - Includes FPCC’s structured Reclaiming My Language: A Course for Silent Speakers (RML) and other silent speaker strategies different from RML.

- Reclaiming My Language: A Course for Silent Speakers

- The course supports “silent speakers” (people who understand the language but do not speak