Foreign Credential Recognition Program

• Completed Concept Paper Template
• Organization identification details
• Project description and expected results
• Project budget and funding sources
• Signed declaration by an authorized representative

Who is eligible?

• Provincial and territorial governments
• Regulatory bodies, professional associations, and industry associations
• Not-for-profit organizations and unions
• Municipal governments, school boards, public health institutions, universities, colleges, and CEGEPs
• Consortia made up of eligible recipient organizations

Who is not eligible

• Individuals.
• For-profit businesses not listed among eligible recipient types.

Eligible expenses

• Staff wages, employment-related costs, and other administrative expenses.
• General operating costs and equipment rental.
• Professional fees such as research, legal, consulting, facilitation, IT, and technical expertise.
• Travel costs.
• Capital costs and other project-related operating costs for a non-profit association or ad hoc consortium.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Alignment of proposed activities with program objectives and priorities.
• Need for the proposed foreign credential recognition activities.
• Organizational capacity and applicant track record.
• Demonstration of support required for project success.
• Value for money.

• Step 1: Prepare concept proposal
  • Complete the Concept Paper Template with details about the organization, project, funding, and declaration.
  • Use the Concept Guide and Appendix A if more space is needed.
  • Ensure all mandatory fields are completed.
• Step 2: Sign the application
  • Have the appropriate sections signed by an authorized representative of the organization.
  • Follow the organization’s signing rules under its governing documents.
• Step 3: Submit the concept paper
  • Provide scanned images of the signed pages.
  • Submit the concept paper by email to ESDC.
  • If documents cannot be scanned, they may be mailed to the program submission address.

• ESDC acknowledges receipt after the application is received.
• Applications are assessed against program objectives, priorities, organizational capacity, project need, support, and value for money.
• Not all concept papers are approved, as funding is limited and subject to budget considerations and Parliamentary allocations.
• Applicants are notified in writing of the review outcome.
• Project activities cannot begin until funding is approved and a formal agreement is signed.

• The program does not provide funding directly to individuals.
• Applications are currently paused, and no new concept papers or proposals are being accepted.
• Concept paper information may be shared with reviewers, other government officials, and external consultants for assessment purposes.
• The concept paper is subject to federal privacy and access to information laws.