Arctic Inspiration Prize - up to $1,000,000

The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) is the largest annual prize in Canada. By celebrating and providing seed-funding to Northern teams with innovative project ideas, the AIP supports Northerners in bringing initiatives to life that bring about the changes they want to see in their communities.

The Arctic Inspiration Prize is by the North and for the North and is a community of people and groups, including Indigenous organizations, academia, governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, philanthropy, media and arts and culture organizations, who share a common goal: to recognize northern innovation and excellence and encourage teamwork for the betterment of life in Canada’s North.

The AIP celebrates and invests in projects that address challenges and opportunities in the Canadian Arctic.

• Recognizes teams of Northerners and Southern partners working together to benefit Arctic communities.
• Supports initiatives in areas such as education, health, culture, environment, science, and social development.
• Awards are not for individuals but for collaborative teams with strong community engagement.
• Nominees must demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and potential for lasting impact.

✅ Grant funding — up to $3 million annually, distributed across categories:

• $1 million Prize: For large‑scale, transformative projects.
• $500,000 Prizes: For mid‑scale initiatives.
• $100,000 Prizes: For smaller, community‑driven projects.

• General Eligibility Requirements
• Team‑based Projects (Not Individuals)
• Only teams can be nominated — individuals alone cannot be nominated.
• Diversity
• Projects should involve diverse teams (e.g., youth, Elders, community members, industry, government, research, etc.).
• Diversity is required for the $1 M and AIP categories; recommended for the Youth Prize.
• Northern Leadership & Management
• The Team Leader and a majority of the team must be Northerners — defined as Indigenous or other residents working and living in eligible Northern regions.
• Youth Requirement (for Youth Prize)
• For the Arctic Inspiration Youth Prize, the Team Leader and most team members must be 30 years old or younger.
• Nominee/Recipient Must Be Northern
• The organization or individual that receives and manages the prize funds must be exclusively northern. Southern participants can support but cannot receive funds.