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Advancing Accessibility Standards Research
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Canada
Supports research advancing federal accessibility standards in Canada
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Advancing Accessibility Standards Research program provides funding to Canadian organizations for research projects that support the development of next-generation accessibility standards within federal jurisdiction. Eligible activities focus on identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility in areas such as the built environment, communications, service delivery, employment, and transportation; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Research and experimental development
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Closing date : August 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Rural / Remote communities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
- Research projects that inform the development of next-generation accessibility standards within federal areas of responsibility.
- Initiatives that identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility.
- Projects involving the development, sharing, or dissemination of best practices, tools, and information related to accessibility barriers and standards.
- Research supporting core priority areas such as built environment, communication, employment, program and service delivery, information and communication technologies, procurement, and transportation.
- Initiatives targeting annually identified priority areas, such as accessibility in northern communities, election processes, and retrofitting of existing facilities.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 109,000
Researching virtual job interviews accessibility for remote hiring
$ 95,400
Creating accessible voting tools and instructions for elections
$ 119,000
Studying accessibility barriers in procurement policies for ICT
$ 142,000
Surveying accessible wayfinding for large multi-use federal buildings
$ 135,000
Developing accessible kiosks for public transportation terminals
$ 128,500
Evaluating accessible retrofitting solutions in northern airports
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a legal entity in Canada.
- Eligible types of organizations include research or educational institutions (such as universities), not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations (including bands, tribal councils, or other self-governing entities), and provincial or territorial organizations (excluding provincial or territorial governments).
- The project must support the development of next-generation model accessibility standards within federal areas of responsibility.
- The project should align with one or more of the 7 core priority areas set out in the Accessible Canada Act or any announced annual priority areas.
Who is eligible?
- Research or educational institutions, such as universities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Indigenous organizations, including bands, tribal councils, or other self-governing entities
- Provincial or territorial organizations (excluding provincial or territorial governments)
Who is not eligible
- Provincial or territorial governments are not eligible.
- Organizations that are not recognized as legal entities in Canada cannot apply.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations that are legal entities located anywhere in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Alignment of the project with the purpose and objectives of the program.
- Ability of the project to identify, prevent, and eliminate barriers to accessibility in areas of federal jurisdiction.
How to apply
1
Confirm eligibility and monitor calls
- Check if your organization is eligible (must be a Canadian legal entity such as a research or educational institution, not-for-profit, Indigenous organization, or provincial/territorial organization excluding governments)
- Review the priority areas set by the Accessible Canada Act and any announced annual priority areas
- Monitor for the call for Expressions of Interest, typically launched every spring
2
Submit an Expression of Interest
- Prepare and submit an Expression of Interest summarizing your research project
- Clearly indicate how your project aligns with the program’s purpose and objectives
- Ensure submission before the stated deadline
3
Await selection and invitation
- Wait for acknowledgment of your Expression of Interest, typically within 10 business days
- If selected, receive an invitation to submit a detailed application and budget
4
Submit detailed application and budget
- Prepare a comprehensive project proposal and detailed budget as requested
- Submit the application before the deadline stated in the invitation
5
Await funding decision
- Wait for official funding decision, communicated within 60 business days after submitting a complete application
6
Finalize agreement and receive funds
- If approved, review and sign the funding agreement
- Satisfy all outlined payment conditions in the agreement
- Receive the first payment within 40 business days after all conditions are met
Additional information
- Service standards include acknowledging receipt of expressions of interest and applications, communicating funding decisions, and issuing payments within specific timelines.
- The Centre of Expertise provides centralized access to funded research and standards related to the program's priority areas.
- Performance results of service standards are publicly reported by fiscal year.
- Acknowledging financial support from Accessibility Standards Canada is required for funded projects.
