Funding

How much funding is available?
What are the financial requirements?
Repaying Contributions

How much funding is available?

Proposals that receive funding are selected through a competitive process. Contributions range between $50,000 and $250,000, and are made according to the availability of funds.

The following parameters apply to the GCI:

• We can provide up to a maximum of 75 percent of total project costs, including up to 12% for eligible administrative costs.
• The total funding for a project from all federal departments cannot be more than 75 percent of total project costs.
• Marketing and distribution costs can only account for up to 25 percent of the total funds requested in your proposal.
• Capital acquisitions cannot be funded through the GCI.
• Project funding is on an annual basis.
• We cannot advance funds. We will make contribution payments to reimburse expenses you have incurred or paid, as outlined in the contribution agreement, based on your presenting acceptable invoices and reports.

What are the financial requirements?

Before we can consider your project for funding, you must:

• demonstrate that your project is financially sound. We may ask you to provide evidence of financial solvency, including an ability to manage cash flow, and to account for your spending and activities in all financial reports (for details, see the budget checklist);
• demonstrate that you are able to balance budgets and justify expenses: because we make very few contributions at the maximum level, you should exercise moderation in determining the level of funding you need;
• include a thoroughly detailed budget that itemizes and costs all products and services associated with the development, production, promotion, marketing, distribution, evaluation, and administration of your project; and
• include a complete financial structure that lists the amounts and sources of all financial contributions to your project, making sure to include letters confirming these funds from contributors.

Please note that contribution agreements specify a set number of deliverables against which portions of the approved contribution will be made. In addition, a small percentage of the total contribution will be allocated to a final payment upon receipt of a final product and final report. Instalment payments are usually received 40 to 55 days after approval by CIDA of each deliverable.

It is important to note that the schedule of deliverables and payments negotiated in the contribution agreement must be respected. Failure to do so could result in the termination of the contribution agreement.

Repaying Contributions

All or part of some contributions may be repayable if the allowable costs incurred to implement a project, according to the terms and conditions specified in the contribution agreement, are lower than the allowable costs projected for implementing the project in the budget.