all Language grants
The Language Vitality Program provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and support the creation of fluent speakers.
The Language Vitality Program recognizes the diversity of First Nations languages and acknowledges that every First Nations community will design and implement individual programs according to their unique needs and goals.
Four different funding categories are offered: Rise, Roots, Grow and Flourish. Indigenous languages are deeply tied to the land. These funding options reflect cycles of growth and the flourishing potential of language revitalization in communities. Rise, Roots, Grow and Flourish funding provides applicants, who may be in varying stages of language revitalization work, a pathway to nurture positive stewardship for language revitalization goals. The amount of funding available for applicants ranges from $50,000 – $300,000.
A note for returning applicants:
Various Language programs previously offered by FPCC are now available through a single application form. The following have been combined into a single application process through the Language Vitality Program: The Pathways to Language Vitality Program, Language Revitalization Planning Program, Language Technology Program and Reclaiming My Language Program. The purpose of this change is to reduce the administrative burden on applicants while also supporting the move towards plan-based funding.
If your organization is currently receiving funding through the FPCC Language Program, you do not need to start a new application. Please contact us at languagegrant@fpcc.ca for more information about continuing your project.
Eligible Language Revitalization Strategies
In this section, you will find brief descriptions of the language revitalization strategies that are eligible for funding. Select the strategy below for more information.
Language Revitalization Plan Development
The Language Revitalization Planning Program supports First Nations communities in B.C. to develop comprehensive, long-term plans for revitalizing and strengthening their languages. These plans are a way to capture the community’s vision for their language and map out the work for language revitalization into the future. The planning process also helps to build community awareness around language. End of
Developing a strategic language plan is an important step in accessing plan-based funding. Language teams wishing to apply for Flourish funding must have a completed strategic language plan. Those wishing to apply for Grow funding must either have started a strategic language plan or apply for funding to do so.
Language Immersion
This strategy includes several kinds of programs which were previously funded in the Pathways to Language Vitality Program. Language immersion programs include:
- Language Nests for preschool age children (see more information below)
- Language immersion programs for school-age children (outside of accredited K-12 programs)
- Language immersion programs for adults
- Mentor-Apprentice type programs
- Other immersion programs
Please note that activities like Language Camps and Language on the Land are often not delivered fully in immersion. Funding for these activities is available through the Community Engagement and Language through Culture strategy, below.
Language Nests
Language Nests are categorized under Language Immersion and have their own specific requirements
- Must be an immersion space (no English) for children from 0 to 5 years old
- Minimum of 15 hours of immersion/week for at least six months
- Minimum of two proficient speakers* in the nest at all times
- Maximum ratio of one speaker to every five children (one to three is preferred)
*The speakers do not have to be fluent speakers but should be able to converse in the language. This requirement can be met with staff who are intermediate speakers, as well as fluent Elders, for example.
Non-Immersion Language Programs
These programs reflect any kind of language learning or related support that is not delivered fully in immersion. This includes FPCC’s structured Reclaiming My Language Program: A Course for Silent Speakers (RML), as well as any Silent Speaker programming that is different from RML.
Reclaiming My Language: A Course for Silent Speakers
Reclaiming My Language is a course to assist silent speakers to reclaim their language. Silent speakers are people who have a good understanding of their language but do not speak it. There are many kinds of silent speakers, including people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it, but do not speak it.
FPCC provides training for program facilitators and ongoing support, as well as course materials, videos, workbooks and funding.
- Funding can be used to support travel. FPCC can assist with the identification and vetting of a mental health co-instructor and potentially a community co-instructor if needed
- Submissions must include 10 pre-course surveys from potential participants
- Several communities can come together to deliver this course if all participants speak the same language
Language Technology
Language technology strategies support language revitalization using technology. For FPCC’s Language Program, there are two eligible project types within language technology: FirstVoices site development and digitization.
- FirstVoices projects involve using FirstVoices.com to share your language and mobilize your language resources. These projects make languages more accessible and preserve knowledge for future generations
- Digitization projects involve converting analogue materials such as audio cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, VHS tapes and text documents to a digital format
Language Documentation and Resource Development
Language documentation and resource development work includes any work to record and document the language and to create resources for language learners and teachers. This strategy may include:
- Recording and transcription of speakers
- Language resource development (e.g. books, media, learning materials)
- Archive management
Some examples of possible projects under this strategy include curriculum development*, general resource creation (e.g., handbooks/videos/teaching materials), language website creation, database and other technology tool creation, recording of Elders/speakers on audio or video, digital language archive management and television/radio show/film.
*Curriculum development must be for community use outside of the school system. Curriculum development for K-12 accredited programming is funded by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
Community Engagement and Language Through Culture*
Some examples of possible projects under this strategy include:
- Language gathering and sharing projects (including hosting in-community language gatherings as well as travelling to meet with other communities/organizations for sharing and relationship building)
- Land-based and/or culture-focused language classes and camps that are not fully in immersion
- Other community language projects where immersion is not feasible.
*Please note that applications focusing on immersion strategies & documentation will receive priority for funding.
Funding Categories
FPCC’s Language Vitality Program offers four different funding categories: Rise, Roots, Grow and Flourish. Indigenous languages are deeply tied to the land; these funding models reflects cycles of growth and the flourishing potential of language revitalization work within communities. These funding categories are responsive to the varying levels of experience and capacity that exist across language teams in the province.
Rise Funding ( up to $50,000 – April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027): funding is offered for a single year. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that are just getting started on their language revitalization journey and have just one or two project areas, or for teams that have limited capacity to take on larger projects.
Roots Funding (up to $120,000 per year for up to 2 years – April 1, 2026–March 31, 2028): Roots funding is offered for up to two years with the potential for continuation for a third year and can include multiple strategies. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that have experience working on language revitalization and are starting to expand into new areas.
Grow Funding (up to $200,000 per year for up to 2 years – April 1, 2026–March 31, 2028): Grow funding is offered for up to two years with the potential for continuation for a third year and can include multiple strategies. This funding is suitable for groups that have begun or are about to begin the process of developing a strategic language plan with their community.
Flourish Funding (up to $300,000 per year for up to 3 years – April 1, 2026–March 31, 2029): Flourish funding is offered for three years and includes a minimum of three strategies. This funding is suitable for well-established teams that have a language plan in place and are actively implementing multiple language revitalization strategies across domains in the community.
Funding for all categories subject to availability
For detailed timeline information, please refer to the 2026-27 Language Vitality Program Guidelines posted below.
Eligibility
The following are eligible to apply:
- Recognized First Nations governments, bands or tribal councils located in B.C.
- Projects supporting one of the 36 B.C. First Nations languages.
- Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C., in good standing and governed by B.C. First Nations individuals (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors are members of a recognized B.C. First Nation.)
- Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors are members of a recognized B.C. First Nation.)
- B.C. First Nations–led museums and cultural spaces (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors be individuals who are members of or have ancestral connections to a B.C. First Nation.)
- B.C. First Nations schools and adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands (Please note that applications from First Nations schools that serve one community must be submitted through their respective Nation/Band Office)
How to Apply
Prior to submitting an application, please read the guidelines below. The guidelines are optimized for accessibility purposes. If you are unsure if your community or language organization is eligible or you have questions about accessing Language Program funding, please contact us at languagegrant@fpcc.ca . Applications are received through the FPCC Grant Portal.
Applications may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. PT December 10, 2025.
Info Session
To support 2026 applicants, we will be hosting an online information webinar on October 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. PT to give you the opportunity to ask questions and review how to fill out the application. Please register in advance using the button below.
Please help raise awareness about this opportunity by sharing our poster.
This program is made possible with funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage as a result of the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act, and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation through the Province of British Columbia.
Additional Resources
Tools and Resources
Language Status Assessment (LSA)
The Language Status Assessment (LSA) is a survey on the status of First Nations
languages. The Language Status Assessment is not a grant application but it is
required for communities who are applying for language funding from the First
Peoples’ Cultural Council.
For more details and information on how to submit an LSA survey, click here.
We are here to support!
If you have any questions or would like assistance with your grant application please contact the language team at languagegrant@fpcc.ca. FPCC staff are available to answer questions about grant eligibility, project proposal ideas, which program or grant may be best for your project and more. You may also contact an Outreach Coach for information on project planning, resources and information sessions.
FPCC Staff contact:
Stephanie Yates, Pathways to Language Vitality pathways@fpcc.ca
James Thompson, Language Documentation and Technology ltp@fpcc.ca
Sydney Moore, Language Revitalization Planning lrpp@fpcc.ca
Melinda Pick, Reclaiming My Language rml@fpcc.ca
Funding Process
We are here to ensure that the funding application process is as easy as possible and offer a convenient online portal so applicants can more easily apply for programs and submit reports. For additional information please visit the Funding Process page.
Click the image to enlarge
Page Image: Udzistalis John Speck, Hereditary Chief, Tlowitsis and
Hiʔliqilaʔgelis Natasha Green, Mentor Apprentice
Program, Campbell River B.C.
Program Contact
Language Team
Our program staff are here to support you through the application process. If you have any questions or need support, please contact us at the email below.