Closed
Source verified June 8, 2026
Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation
Supports innovative early learning and child care projects
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
January 7, 2021
Opened October 29, 2020
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $3,000,000 for innovative early learning and child care projects. It supports activities that improve quality, accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and flexibility for children under 6 and their families.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Develop a new program or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing and testing innovative approaches in early learning and child care
- Improving ELCC quality, accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and flexibility
- Creating knowledge, tools, methodologies, solutions, lessons learned, and best practices
- Supporting emerging needs and preparedness activities related to the pandemic
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Completed budget detail template
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Provincial and territorial entities
- Municipalities
- Indigenous organizations
Who is not eligible
- Provincial and territorial governments and their departments
- For-profit organizations
- Individuals
- Organizations based in Québec
Eligible expenses
- Wages and mandatory employment costs
- Professional service fees, including evaluation
- Data collection and knowledge development costs
- Travel costs
- Other approved administrative costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Retrofit, renovation, or construction of private homes or Government of Canada property
- Purchase of real property such as buildings or land
- Purchase of alcoholic beverages
- Costs incurred before the agreement is approved and signed
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Innovation and ability to address a gap or need in ELCC
- Clear project activities, timelines, and milestones
- Strong expected results and measurable indicators
- Project relevance to program priorities, especially pandemic preparedness
- Potential to improve quality, accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and flexibility
How to apply
- Step 1: Create account
- Create a Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account to apply online, if applicable.
- Step 2: Prepare application
- Read the applicant guide.
- Complete the application form and budget detail template.
- Gather the required supporting documents and information.
- Step 3: Submit application
- Apply online through GCOS, by email, or by mail.
- For email or mail applications, sign the required sections before submission.
- Step 4: Confirmation of receipt
- Receive an automatic confirmation for GCOS and email submissions.
- Mail submissions receive confirmation within 14 days of receipt.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility first.
- Eligible applications are assessed against program objectives and priorities.
- Funding decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
- Approved projects require a signed funding agreement before activities begin.
- Applicants receive confirmation when their application is received.
Additional information
- Funding decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
- Applicants can submit only one application per organization.
- Organizations may need to work with partners to maximize results.
- Projects may be expected to include result measurement indicators and reporting.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Program
What is the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation?
This program provides up to $3,000,000 for innovative early learning and child care projects. It supports activities that improve quality, accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and flexibility for children under 6 and their families.
How much funding can be received?
Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 7, 2021.
Who is eligible for the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation program?
To be eligible for the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation program, you must:
Eligible organization type
Project must be innovative
Project must benefit children under 6
What expenses are eligible under Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation?
Developing and testing innovative approaches in early learning and child care
Improving ELCC quality, accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and flexibility
Creating knowledge, tools, methodologies, solutions, lessons learned, and best practices
Supporting emerging needs and preparedness activities related to the pandemic
Who can I contact for more information about the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at NC-DGOP-POB-ELCC-AGJE-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
Where is the Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation available?
The Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation program is available across Canada.