LUP Funding Initiative

The 2027-2028 Land Use Planning Funding Initiative Call for Proposal (All Categories) will open on November 9, 2026.

Land Use Planning Funding Guidelines

NALMA is pleased to announce the launch of new Land Use Planning (LUP) Funding Guidelines, effective June 1, 2026. These updated guidelines reflect the current needs of First Nations in all stages of the land use planning process and introduce a revised program structure with four funding categories.

*Note: After June 1st, 2026, First Nations seeking to apply to Category 2 after successfully completing Category 1 with the NALMA LUP Funding Initiative will be eligible for a maximum of $125,000 to complete a land use plan under Category 2. They will submit using the prior Category 2 Application. Keep in mind that funding for LUP implementation work is now funded separately under the new Category 4. 

Key Dates

November 09, 2026 – Open call for Categories 1, 2, 3, and 4.

November 25, 2026 – LUP Funding Initiative – Virtual Information Session

January 29, 2027 – Categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 Application Deadline.

About the Funding Guidelines

The updated NALMA LUP Funding Guidelines introduce four categories of funding, designed to support First Nations at every phase of the land use planning journey:

Category 1 — Groundwork $50,000  |  6 months to 1 year

Establish your planning team, inventory background studies and GIS data, engage Chief and Council, develop an engagement strategy, and prepare a Category 2 proposal.

Category 2 — Land Use Plan Development $150,000  |  Up to 2 years

Complete pre-planning research, community engagement, and the full development of a Land Use Plan through to formal adoption.

Category 3 — Land Use Plan Update $50,000  |  Up to 1 year

Conduct a comprehensive review and update of an existing approved Land Use Plan.

Category 4 — Zoning By-law & Development Review $100,000  |  1 to 2 years

Develop a Zoning By-law and/or Development Review Policy and Procedure to implement your LUP.

Category 1 Application Form – Groundwork

Applications must be submitted by email to lup@nalma.ca

Category 2 Application Form – Land Use Plan Development

Category 3 Application Form – Land Use Plan Update

Category 4 Application Form – Zoning By-law & Development Review

Application Deadline

Application Deadline 11:59 pm EST, Friday January 29, 2027 Applications received after this time will be considered late and held for the next intake cycle. Submit by email to: lup@nalma.ca

Virtual Information Session – November 25, 2026

Join NALMA’s Land Use Planning team for a virtual information session: Date:  November 25, 2026 Time:  1:00 pm — 2:30 pm EST Format:  Virtual (link to be distributed upon registration) Content:  Overview of the new funding guidelines, walkthrough of the Category 1 through 4 application forms, and Q&A with NALMA’s LUP team Register here: https://nalma.ca/events/lup-funding-initiative-nov2026/

Questions During the Application Period

NALMA’s Land Use Planning unit is available to answer questions throughout the application period (November 9, 2026 to January 28, 2027). First Nations are encouraged to reach out directly with questions about eligibility, the application form, or the new funding guidelines.

Land Use Planning Unit National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association lup@nalma.ca 1-877-234-9813 (Toll-Free) nalma.ca/resources/funding/lup-funding

LUP Funding Initiative – Call Out The annual call for categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 will open November 09, 2026 and close on January 29, 2027.  First Nations interested in these categories are encouraged to review the new funding guidelines now to begin scoping their projects.

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We look forward to supporting your community’s land use planning journey.

NALMA Land Use Planning Unit
National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association