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NOW OPEN: Land Use Planning Funding Initiative – Call for Proposal (All Categories)

By November 12, 2026No Comments

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

NALMA 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.

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 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.
For more information, Funding Guidelines, Proposal Guidelines and Applications – please visit: https://nalma.ca/funding/lup-funding/
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: [email protected]
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 teamRegister 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.

NALMA Land Use Planning Unit
National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association

Alex Marques
LUP Program Specialist
Email: [email protected]

Phillip Beaver
LUP Funding Officer
Email: [email protected]

Anthony Lewis
LUP Program Funding Officer
Email: [email protected]

Krista Knott
LUP Program Administrative Support
Email: [email protected]

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