If your business operates in Nunavut, you are expected to provide services in Inuktut under the Inuit Language Protection Act. That can mean real costs — new signage, translated invoices, or staff language training. The Private Sector Inuktut Support Program helps offset those costs by providing repayable funding to eligible private sector businesses.
This guide explains how to apply for the Private Sector Inuktut Support Program, what expenses are covered, and how to avoid common application mistakes.
The Private Sector Inuktut Support Program is administered by the Government of Nunavut. Its goal is to help private sector employers improve their ability to deliver services in Inuktut and comply with territorial language requirements.
Unlike many business grants, this program provides repayable funding, not a non-repayable contribution. The funding supports practical, language-related upgrades that directly affect how your business serves the public.
Program status: Open
Jurisdiction: Nunavut
Funding type: Repayable contribution
To apply for the Private Sector Inuktut Support Program, your business must meet all of the following conditions:
Public sector organizations and non-profits are not the intended audience for this program.
Funding must be used for activities that improve your business’s ability to offer services in Inuktut. Eligible costs include:
These expenses are directly tied to compliance with Nunavut’s language legislation and service expectations.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether your specific expense — such as website translation or staff training — fits program rules before you apply.
While exact application forms are managed by the Government of Nunavut, the process generally follows these steps:
Define your language-related project
Identify what you need to update or improve, such as signage, training, or translated materials.
Prepare a cost breakdown
Include supplier quotes, training fees, or translation costs tied to your project scope.
Demonstrate compliance goals
Show how the project improves your ability to provide services in Inuktut and meet legislative requirements.
Submit your application while funding is available
The program is open, but funding availability can change during the fiscal year.
Because this is repayable funding, you may also be asked to outline repayment expectations as part of your submission.
Applying for non-language-related upgrades
General marketing or operational costs that do not involve Inuktut services are not eligible.
Assuming the funding is a grant
This program provides repayable funding. Treat it like a loan in your financial planning.
Submitting vague project descriptions
Applications that do not clearly explain how expenses improve Inuktut service delivery are often delayed or rejected.
Waiting until compliance issues arise
The program is designed to support proactive compliance, not just fix problems after enforcement action.
Q: Is the Private Sector Inuktut Support Program a grant?
No. The program provides repayable funding, meaning you are expected to repay the contribution under agreed terms.
Q: How much funding can my business receive?
Funding amounts vary based on your project scope and compliance needs. There is no fixed maximum listed publicly.
Q: Can I use funding to translate my website and invoices?
Yes. Translation of online materials and billing systems into Inuktut is an eligible expense.
Q: Does this program help with Inuit Language Protection Act compliance?
Yes. Improving compliance with Nunavut’s language legislation is a core objective of the program.
Q: Is there an application deadline?
The program is currently open, but funding availability may change. Applying early is recommended.
Applying for the Private Sector Inuktut Support Program starts with understanding your compliance needs and matching them to eligible expenses. GrantHub tracks active territorial and Indigenous-focused funding programs across Canada — including Nunavut — so you can quickly see which options fit your business profile before you apply.
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