Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)

• Completed application form
• Signed application package
• Reasonable cost estimate for the proposed activity

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Local communities and local entities, including small municipalities and resident associations
• Indigenous governments, communities, bands, and settlements
• Tribal councils, district councils, and chiefs’ councils
• Indigenous organizations, development corporations, economic institutions, and co-operatives

Eligible expenses

• Staff salaries and benefits
• Professional fees for contracted services
• Room rentals, facility costs, public outreach materials, translation costs, and honoraria
• Travel costs such as hotel, car rental, mileage, transportation fares, meals, and incidentals
• Administrative costs up to 15% of total costs, plus unrecoverable PST, GST, or HST

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Direct interest in, or Indigenous rights affected by, the Transport Canada subject under review
• Relevant community, Indigenous, or expert knowledge related to the anticipated effects
• Contribution to one or more program objectives
• Direct benefit to communities or regions identified by Transport Canada
• Invitation from Transport Canada to participate in an engagement activity, where applicable

• Step 1: Access the portal
  • Create or use an existing GCKey.
  • Use it to access the Grant and Contribution Management System (GCMS).
• Step 2: Set up your account
  • Create a user profile in GCMS.
  • Create a new organization or join an existing one in GCMS.
• Step 3: Prepare the application
  • Read the Applicant’s Guide before applying.
  • Complete the application form and ensure it is signed, accurate, and complete.
  • Apply at least 15 business days before the engagement activity or meeting.
• Step 4: Submit the request
  • Submit a new funding request in GCMS under the Community Participation Funding Program.
  • Select the Marine Transportation Component call for proposal.
• Step 5: Check submission status
  • Watch for the acknowledgement of receipt email.
  • If no email is received, check the “my funding requests” page in GCMS.

• Transport Canada reviews the application to determine whether it is eligible for funding.
• Applicants should receive a written acknowledgement of receipt within 10 business days.
• Transport Canada may request clarification if the application information is unclear.
• Submitted applications may be accepted or rejected, and applicants are informed of the decision.
• If approved, the application becomes the official agreement, and payment is targeted within 20 business days after funding agreement requirements are met.

• Recipients are encouraged to share local and Indigenous knowledge to help inform marine initiatives.
• An attestation form is sent with the approval letter and must be returned within 30 days after the activity.
• If the signed attestation form is not submitted, Transport Canada may request that the funding be returned.