The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Sector have shared the following resource: 2026 IESO Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) Application Intake Window
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Indigenous Engagement Team is pleased to announce that the application intake window for the Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) 3.0 is now open!
This is a time of growth for Ontario’s energy sector and Indigenous communities and organizations are playing a pivotal role with participation in new procurement opportunities, transmission development and energy infrastructure investments that support the increasing energy needs of the province.
The IESP promotes broad equitable participation in Ontario’s energy sector for Indigenous communities and organizations by supporting capacity building through flexible funding opportunities, including community energy planning and energy infrastructure development, the building of energy knowledge and awareness, as well as skills related to energy projects.
The IESP offers support through the following three Areas of Funding (AOF):
- Capacity Building: Support the hiring of Community Energy Champions and energy education and skills-building through training and engagement initiatives to strengthen energy awareness and leadership.
- Economic Development: Support the various stages of the development of energy infrastructure projects – including solutions to help identified remote, off-grid communities reduce their reliance on diesel – and partnerships that promote long-term sustainability and economic growth.
- Energy Resiliency & Monitoring: Support Indigenous communities and organizations in the development and updating of community energy plans.
Since its inception, the IESO’s energy support programming has awarded approximately $107.5 million in funding to 185 Indigenous communities and organizations across Ontario. Some examples of current and past projects include transmission lines, battery energy storage systems, youth energy workshops, solar PV installations, and the hiring of Community Energy Champions to prioritize and manage energy projects for their communities.
Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) 2026 Application Intake
The IESP application window opened on, July 30, 2026, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 2, 2026.
At this time, interested applicants should begin to prepare and submit a completed POF to iesp@ieso.ca for review prior to submitting a formal application. The IESP Team will review submitted POFs and provide guidance on project eligibility, application requirements, and next steps for the formal application process.
Documents for application:
Interested applicants are welcomed to contact the IESO’s Indigenous Energy Support Program Team to discuss potential project ideas and funding opportunities.
Additional information on the IESP intake window as well as the program documents will be available on the IESP Overview page.
If you have any questions about the IESP, eligibility criteria, the latest application window or about your intended submission, please contact the IESO’s Indigenous Energy Support Program Team at iesp@ieso.ca.
