LUP Funding Initiative

The 2026-2027 Land Use Planning Funding Initiative Call for Proposal closed on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

*NEW* NALMA Land Use Planning Funding Guidelines

Open Call for Category 1 Groundwork Funding – Effective June 1, 2026

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 $100,000 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. 

Alongside the new guidelines, NALMA is opening the first call for applications under Category 1 – Groundwork. This call is open to First Nations ready to begin the foundation work for a Land Use Plan.

Key Dates

June 1, 2026,  New LUP Funding Guidelines come into effect. Category 1 open call opens.

June 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm EST  Virtual Information Session — new guidelines and Category 1 application walkthrough. Registration details below.

July 10, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST  Category 1 application deadline. Late applications will be held for the next intake cycle.

November 2026  Open call for Categories 2, 3, and 4 opens.

February 2027  Categories 2, 3, and 4 application deadlines.

About the New 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.

Application Guidelines

Category 1 — Groundwork: Open Call for Applications

NALMA intends to award 10 new Category 1 Groundwork projects under this intake. Category 1 is open to First Nations who do not have an approved Land Use Plan (or whose plan is more than 10 years old) and who are ready to begin the groundwork phase of land use planning.

What a Complete Category 1 Application Includes A complete application has two required documents — and only two:  1.  The completed Category 1 Application Form (all five parts answered). 2.  A Letter of Support signed by the Chief, a Councillor with signing authority, or a Band Administrator with signing authority.  A separate project proposal is not required for Category 1. Incomplete applications — those missing either document — will be returned to the applicant and will not be evaluated.

Category 1 Application Form

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

Application Deadline

Application Deadline 11:59 pm EST, Thursday, July 10, 2026 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 – June 12, 2026

Join NALMA’s Land Use Planning team for a virtual information session: Date:  Friday, June 12, 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 application form, and Q&A with NALMA’s LUP team Register here: https://nalma.ca/events/lup-funding-initiative-virtual-information-session/

Questions During the Application Period

NALMA’s Land Use Planning unit is available to answer questions throughout the application period (June 1 — July 10, 2026). 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

Categories 2, 3, and 4 — Coming November 2026 The annual call for Categories 2, 3, and 4 will open in November 2026 and close in February 2027. First Nations interested in these categories are encouraged to review the new funding guidelines now to begin scoping their projects.

---

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

NALMA Land Use Planning Unit

National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association