How to apply for funding through a call

On this page

• Before the call launches
• Step-by-step instructions on submitting an application through a call
• After the call closes

When Global Affairs Canada wants to work with multiple partners to achieve specific results in international development, it launches a call. A call follows a comparative process. The projects that receive funding will be those that represent the best fit for the specific call. This means those initiatives which best:

• align strategically with the objectives of the call
• present appropriate technical designs
• complement, without duplicating, existing programming in the area and sector and other strong ideas submitted through the same call
• respond to operational requirements and other considerations specific to each call

Submitting an application through a call does not guarantee funding. Due to the numbers of applications received, the majority of applications submitted through a call do not receive funding.

We cannot offer funding on the basis of an initial application. We usually use a two-stage application process. The first step helps to identify the applicants with the best chance of receiving funding if they subsequently submit a strong full proposal. This lowers the effort required to apply for the initial stage.

We do not give applicants detailed feedback on their initial application. Limiting feedback on initial applications enables us to respond to applicants and advance the whole process much more quickly than would otherwise be the case. Detailed feedback may be requested on full proposals.

We do not fund the preparation of full proposals. If an applicant is invited to submit a full proposal, they may accept or decline the invitation. Submitting a full proposal does not guarantee funding. Funding can only be recommended after a full proposal is assessed. If funding is provided, only costs incurred after the signature of a funding agreement are eligible for reimbursement.

Please review and follow the instructions below carefully before applying through a call.

Before the call launches

1. Check the Project Browser to see the kinds of projects that Global Affairs Canada funds.
2. Review the technical guidance available to you on the Funding Guidance page.
3. Register your organization in the Partners@International portal, if not already done.
   1. review the Registration information checklist and How to register your organization 
   2. submit a new registration request through the portal
   3. keep in mind: it may take 10 or more business days to verify the information you have provided with your registration request
   4. once registered, complete your organization profile. Organizations only need to register in the portal once.
4. Review information on the Calls for international development projects.

Note: We are not able to answer questions on upcoming calls.

The information on eligibility included on upcoming calls is preliminary. In order to be eligible for any calls, your organization must:

• be a legal entity (legally incorporated or registered).
• be registered in the Partners@International portal with proof of legal status.
• submit the 2 most recent signed financial statements.
  • Annual financial statements should provide the previous year’s information as a comparison, which allows for a 3-year trend analysis of your organization’s financial position. Audited statements are preferred.
  • Your organization must be able to demonstrate the experience and capacity to manage the amount of funding/the size of project you plan to propose. Without this, your application has a weaker chance of receiving funding, even if your organization is technically eligible.
• be able to demonstrate its capacity to implement the type of project you plan on proposing through documented experience. Usually, having experience in the sector and geographic region is required. Some calls may specify at least 3 years or more of experience in the sub-sector(s). Refer to the call page. Keep in mind that even if you meet the specific eligibility requirements of a call, the strength of the application is assessed in light of the strength of your organization’s related experience.
  Note: if your proposed project contains any of the following elements, you must demonstrate experience with these specific elements in order to be considered eligible:
  • Construction^*;
  • water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH);
  • on-granting; or
  • innovative finance or reflows of funding into the project^* (e.g. investments, guarantees, micro-finance, etc.).
    ^* Because of the increased information and due diligence requirements for these kinds of activities, they are often ineligible in calls: this will be specified on the call page.
• provide a completed and signed Organization Attestation. This document:
  • commits the successful applicant to contributing a minimum of 5% of eligible costs towards the proposed project; and
  • attests that your organization has a publically available code of conduct to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Private sector

Private sector entities meeting all eligibility requirements are eligible to apply unless specifically excluded on a call page.

Note: Recipients of non-repayable grants and contributions are not allowed to derive profit from funded projects.

Universities

Universities and educational institutions meeting all eligibility requirements are eligible to apply unless specifically excluded on a call page. Usually only 1 department/institute or other part of a university can apply, unless that part of the organization has been incorporated as a separate legal entity from the university.

Note: Publicly funded Canadian universities do not need to submit financial statements. Private universities and universities outside Canada, however, need to submit financial statements.

Multilateral organizations

Multilateral organizations (organizations created by treaty between sovereign entities) are not eligible to apply for funding through calls, and should not try to register in the Partners@International portal. Please contact the relevant program directly if you wish to submit a request for funding.

Step-by-step instructions on submitting an application through an open call

Step 1: Read the call page to determine:

• if your organization is eligible - Carefully review the organization eligibility requirements outlined on the call page. Only applications submitted by organizations that meet all of the eligibility requirements will be read.
• if your project meets the requirements of the call - Carefully review the project requirements. Only applications that meet all of these requirements (for example in geographic scope, project value, cost share, or any other specification) will be read.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to read and comply with the eligibility and project requirements published on the call page.

Step 2: Review available guidance before preparing your application

• Funding Guidance
• How we assess your proposal
• Apply for Funding Questions and Answers

Step 3: Create a draft “proposal” in Partners@International

Start the application process by beginning a “proposal” in the Partners@International portal. A “proposal” in the portal is the digital file through which you’ll submit all the information and documents required as part of your application.

Your organization needs to be registered in the Partners@International portal in order to apply.  Once you’re registered and the call you’re interested in has launched:

• log in
• click on "Access Proposals"
• click on "Create New Proposal"

Step 4: Check the call-specific Questions and Answers page on a regular basis

Read the general Apply for Funding Questions and Answers and the call-specific Questions and Answers page (linked to the call page).

• If you have additional questions, submit them to the contact point listed on the call page before the deadline for submitting questions.
• All answers will be published on the call-specific Question and Answer page to ensure that all applicants have access to the same information at the same time.
• Please do not submit any questions about your organization’s eligibility or your proposed project. We will not respond to questions that are unique to one organization.

Step 5: Complete all required documents

You must use the forms linked to the call page on the web. Applications using any other template will not be considered. Some individual calls may require additional mandatory documentation at the initial application stage; this will be explained on the call-specific web page.

For technical difficulties, please see Questions and answers about applying for funding. Please note that only Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat can be used to complete the accessible PDFs published on the call page. Other software may prevent you from validating or submitting your application.

Your application must show a “Validated” label on the front page in order to submit through the Partners@International portal.

To validate the form:

• click on the “Validate” button on the top right hand corner of the first page
• correct any errors highlighted
• click on the “Validate” button again—a “Validated” label should now appear on the top of the form. If you edit the form after validating it, you will have to re-validate it

Note:

• the validation function is an automated check to see if mandatory fields contain text or numbers (as appropriate)
• this function will not check the quality or accuracy of your application
• please read over your application carefully before submitting it

It is your responsibility to double-check your documents before submission:

• Is everything that must be signed, signed by the authorized officer for your organization?
• Are all dollar amounts in Canadian dollars?
• Is all content provided in either English or French?
• Is every point of eligibility listed on the call page demonstrated, or complied with, as specified on the call page?

Your documents must clearly demonstrate how you meet the eligibility requirements specified on the call page.

Step 6: Upload the documents to the Partners@International portal

Be sure to upload all final (completely filled out, signed if necessary) documents to the Partners@International portal.

• Properly identify them through the drop-down menu in the portal so that the system can recognize that your application package is complete.
• The portal will block the submission of incomplete application packages.

Step 7: Press the “Submit” button on your proposal in Partners@International before the deadline

After uploading all required documents, press the “Submit” button on your proposal in Partners@International.

• It is your responsibility to submit your application package before the closing date and time of the call.
• Check that the status of your proposal has changed from "Draft" to "Submitted". If the submission is successful, you will receive an automated email acknowledging receipt.
• The Partners@International portal will not allow applications to be submitted after the time the call closes.

Submit your completed application package a few days before the stated deadline. This will avoid the possibility of a technical problem or a missing document preventing the submission of your application.

Submissions are only accepted via the portal. If you do not submit a complete application package through the Partners@International portal before the deadline, Global Affairs Canada will not assess your application.

After the call closes

There are 3 points when you may be informed of results from an application.

1. Eligibility screening
   • If your application has failed on any point of eligibility, it is deemed ineligible, and is not assessed.
   • If your application is ineligible, you should be informed within 6 months after the call closes.
2. Following the assessment of initial application
   • After a careful assessment of the initial applications submitted, the group of proposals that best meet the objectives of the call are invited to submit a full application package (invitations numbers are aligned to available funding).
     • You may choose to continue the application process and work on a full proposal or not. A discussion with the program will be offered through the invitation. Generally, you will be offered an 8-week deadline to complete your full proposal.
     • In order to complete a full application package, applicants will need to undertake further analysis and consultations and develop project management plans. The level of information required is indicated in this sample application form (.pdf, Help: Opening PDFs on your computer), including the list of additional documents.
   • Other applicants are informed that they are not invited to submit a full proposal.
     • If your organization is not invited to submit a full proposal, a reason will be given in the letter; but no further feedback on the application will be provided.
     • If more funding becomes available, an organization that was not invited to submit a full application initially may be contacted at a later date with an invitation.
3. A funding decision
   • After a thorough assessment of the full application package, and all due diligence required, you will be informed if your proposed project will be funded.
   • In cases where funding cannot be offered because the full proposal fails to meet technical requirements, or is found to be inconsistent with what appeared to be proposed in the initial application, the full proposal may be rejected. If this happens, detailed feedback will be available.

Unless otherwise stated on a call page, a project funded through a call should receive funding within 12 to 18 months after the closing date of the call.

If you have questions about the call process in general, please consult Questions and answers about applying for funding. If you have questions about a specific call, please be sure to send these to the contact point identified on the call page, within the period of time when questions on that call will be answered.

Active, upcoming and closed calls are listed on the Calls for international development projects page. Please refer to that page for links to information on specific calls.