On February 26, 2026, the Kivalliq Inuit Association updated its scholarship details, offering $92,000 in annual funding for Inuit students across the Kivalliq region, including those in Arviat, Nunavut. This update follows the recent announcement that Arviat will host the main campus for the Inuit Nunangat University, the first Inuit-led university in the country. These funds are designed to help local youth get the training they need for careers in business, the arts, and traditional work.
Local youth can use these scholarships to study subjects like business management or financial administration. For example, the Sakku Scholarship, which is managed by the Sakku Investments Corporation, provides $10,000 for students focusing on business studies. These programs are intended to help young people learn how to turn traditional skills, such as stone and bone carving, into successful local companies.
In addition to school funding, the association also provides help through a program called the Traditional Economy Fund. This fund gives grants of up to $1,500 to help artists and harvesters buy the tools and materials they need for their work. This support allows carvers to get the right equipment while they also learn how to manage and market their business to customers outside the region.
The community was selected for the new university campus on February 11, 2026, by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Once the campus opens—planned for 2030—having a university located directly in Arviat will mean students can stay in their home community while using these scholarships to further their education. This shift is expected to make it easier for residents to access training that respects Inuit language and culture.
While the association has posted the updated program information now, the official time to submit an application is later this summer. Students can apply for these scholarships between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026. More details about eligibility and how to apply are available through the association’s official website.
