Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Documentation of First Nations / Inuit / Métis status or affiliation
• ✓ Proof of enrolment at an approved Canadian post-secondary institution
• ✓ Academic transcripts
• ✓ Financial-need documentation (assessed by Indspire's Education Department)

About this award

Building Brighter Futures (BBF) is Indspire's flagship financial-aid program for Indigenous post-secondary students in Canada. Since 1996, Indspire has distributed over $280 million in financial support through more than 84,000 bursaries, scholarships, and awards to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. Funding is contributed by 360+ corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors — including AbbVie, RBC, Air Canada, BMO, CIBC, AltaGas, and many others — but you submit ONE application through Indspire's central portal. Eligibility for each sponsor's specific funding pool is determined automatically based on your program of study, region, and demographic criteria. Award amounts vary based on assessed financial need, applicant pool size, fields of study, and available funds in each cycle.

Who qualifies

First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis student. Pursuing post-secondary studies at a Canadian college, university, trades program, apprenticeship, or technology program. Full or part-time enrolment both accepted. The September 2025 to August 2026 academic year is the current cycle covered by these deadlines.

This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

• ✓ Open to trades students

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's own page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details