The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Sector would like to highlight the following resource:

IESP-2-0-Program-Guidelines
IESP-2-0-Project Overview-Form
IESP-2-0-Application-Form
IESP-postcard-final

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Indigenous Engagement team is excited to announce that the 2025 application intake window for the enhanced Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) is now open!

This is a time of growth for Ontario’s energy sector and Indigenous communities 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 Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) promotes broad equitable participation in Ontario’s energy sector for Indigenous communities and organizations by supporting capacity building through flexible funding opportunities for expanded project scopes, including community energy planning and energy infrastructure development, as well as the building of energy knowledge and awareness, and skills related to energy projects.

Eligible projects have been expanded this year to include battery energy storage systems and transmission projects, and a new funding stream has been introduced to support non-grid connected, remote communities with diesel-reduction initiatives.

The IESP offers support through the following three Areas of Funding (AOF):

  • Capacity Building: Supports energy education and skills-building through training and engagement initiatives to strengthen energy awareness and leadership.
  • Economic Development: Supports the development of energy infrastructure projects and partnerships that promote long-term sustainability and economic growth.
  • Energy Resiliency & Monitoring: Enhances community energy planning to improve reliability, adaptability, and long-term energy security.

Since its inception, the IESO’s energy support programming has been able to provide $82 million in funding to 180 Indigenous communities and organizations across Ontario. Some examples of past projects include youth energy workshops, solar PV installations, and the hiring of Community Energy Champions to prioritize and manage energy projects for their communities. Eligible projects have been expanded this year to include battery energy storage systems and transmission projects.

Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) 2025 Application Intake

The Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) application window is open today, August 26, 2025, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 3, 2025.

For your convenience, we have attached the IESP Program Guidelines, Project Overview Form (POF), and Application Form. At this time, interested applicants should begin to prepare their POFs ahead of their formal application submission, reaching out to the IESO’s Indigenous Engagement team to discuss funding opportunities for potential projects.

Additional information and application documents will be available at: IESP Overview.

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 Engagement team at iesp@ieso.ca.