Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Actua

Actua is Canada’s largest youth STEM outreach organization. Based in Ottawa and active in every province and territory, it partners with a national network of more than 40 universities and colleges to deliver hands-on STEM programming for youth ages 6 to 26. Its work spans national programs focused on Indigenous youth (InSTEM), girls and gender-diverse youth, Black youth, northern communities, and youth in low-income or remote regions, as well as digital literacy, coding, cybersecurity and AI-readiness initiatives.

Actua operates both as a program designer and as a funding and capacity-building hub for its network. Through an online portal, network members can access training, resources and funding opportunities to apply for fast and dependable funding to grow and strengthen programs. These funds help universities and colleges expand camps, clubs, classroom workshops and outreach activities tailored to local communities, including customized content for Indigenous youth, girls, and youth facing socio-economic barriers.

Across its portfolio, Actua prioritizes equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in STEM. Its national programs focus on removing systemic barriers so that Indigenous, Black, racialized, rural, northern, low-income and gender-diverse youth can see themselves in STEM education and careers. Actua also supports educators and parents through resources, training and research reports on topics like land-based STEM education, AI skills gaps, girls in STEM and cyber safety.

Actua’s funding and support typically channel into youth-facing programming run by its member institutions and outreach teams. These programs include week-long day camps, in-school and after-school workshops, clubs, summer land camps and community science events that align with provincial and territorial curricula and emerging labour market needs in fields such as engineering, digital technology and cybersecurity.

Actua underpins its activities with evidence-based research, impact measurement and policy engagement. It publishes discussion papers, evaluation reports and annual reports that document outcomes, participation numbers and lessons learned. As a national advocate, it engages governments, industry and community partners to invest in early STEM engagement and to address inequities in the innovation ecosystem. This combination of program delivery, network funding and policy work positions Actua as a key intermediary between public and private funders and regional STEM outreach programs across Canada.