Closed
Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Canada
Supports NGOs in emergency response and capacity building activities
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies program provides up to $36.3 million per project annually to Canadian not-for-profit organizations to enhance their capacity and deploy resources in response to COVID-19 and other major emergencies. Eligible activities include capacity building, emergency response and recovery, virtual relief services, and surge health and emergency management services.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Strengthening governance
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 31, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- 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
- Language Minorities
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
- Other Health Services
- Social Services
- Emergency and Relief
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Nonprofits / charities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
- Building capacity within NGOs to rapidly respond to emergencies, such as pandemics and natural disasters.
- Deploying personnel and resources to support emergency response efforts, including health and emergency management services.
- Providing virtual relief services, such as information, referrals, and emergency social support to affected individuals and communities.
- Supporting relief and recovery activities for communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by large-scale emergencies.
- Delivering risk reduction education, training, and preparedness initiatives to enhance community resilience to emergencies.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 310,000
Launching temporary emergency housing for families displaced by wildfires
$ 92,000
Training volunteers for rapid disaster deployment and emergency logistics
$ 152,000
Equipping community shelters with emergency medical and prevention supplies
$ 690,000
Establishing mobile emergency food delivery services for vulnerable populations
$ 380,000
Expanding virtual trauma counselling support for emergency-affected families
$ 126,000
Creating emergency risk reduction workshops for Indigenous communities
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization incorporated under Canadian law.
- The organization must have a presence in Canada and the capability to provide domestic services, including a distinct Canadian chapter.
- The organization must have a national reach and the ability to provide services in both official languages.
- The applicant must demonstrate at least five years of experience mobilizing quickly to respond to large-scale domestic emergencies such as floods, wildfires, or pandemics.
- The project must directly aim to reduce the impact of COVID-19 or other large-scale emergencies in Canada and fit within the program's eligible activity streams.
Who is eligible?
- Canadian not-for-profit organizations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with domestic service capacity in Canada
Who is not eligible
- For-profit companies are not eligible (only Canadian not-for-profit organizations may apply).
- Governmental organizations (municipal, provincial, territorial, or federal) are not eligible.
- Organizations that have already received funding for the proposed project from any Government of Canada department or agency, or from another order of government, are not eligible.
- Organizations that are not incorporated under Canadian law or do not have the capacity to provide domestic services in Canada are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, benefits, and overtime for administrative and operational employees dedicated to eligible activities.
- Emergency equipment and supplies (e.g., PPE, medical supplies, cots, tents).
- Medical equipment acquisitions ($10,000 or less per item).
- Movement, shipping, and transport of equipment and materials.
- Transportation services for eligible activities.
- Sustainment of deployed personnel and volunteers (e.g., accommodations, meals during deployment).
- Operational supplies for emergency social services and basic needs (e.g., lodging, food, clothing for individuals and families).
- Professional services (legal, accounting, audit) if the capacity does not already exist within the organization.
- Incremental insurance fees related to operations.
- Minor capital acquisitions, program supplies, and materials, each up to $10,000 per purchase.
- Travel and living expenses directly linked to the project (subject to government rates and allowances).
- Rental of equipment or facilities required for project delivery.
- Computer services, costs for research, data collection, and statistical analysis.
- Translation and interpretation services related to the project.
- Printing and distribution activities connected to eligible project activities.
- Costs to restore, repair, or decontaminate infrastructure and property to a level exceeding pre-disaster condition (subject to limits).
- Hospitality expenses in Indigenous contexts (gatherings, feasts, ceremonies, circles; food and drink, not alcohol).
- Payments for response and recovery services to NGOs, small businesses, Indigenous Governing Bodies, or, in certain cases, municipalities or community governments.
- 12% flat administrative fee on eligible project expenditures to cover indirect costs and overhead.
- Other costs approved in writing by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Eligible geographic areas
- Jurisdictions within Canada
Selection criteria
- Extent to which the project builds capacity to respond to urgent relief needs.
- Extent to which the project enhances readiness for a range of large-scale emergencies (e.g., COVID-19, floods, wildfires).
- Degree to which the project introduces new capabilities not already available.
- Extent to which the project addresses the needs of at-risk or vulnerable populations.
- For deployment funding: demographic and geographic reach, urgency of need, experience with marginalized communities, value for money, and alignment with specific requirements of requesting jurisdictions.
How to apply
1
Verify organization eligibility
- Identify your organization as a Canadian not-for-profit with national reach
- Confirm your eligibility according to the program's criteria (incorporation, operational capacity, history of emergency response, official languages, support from provincial/territorial government)
2
Define project scope and stream
- Identify the funding stream(s) and service category(ies) relevant to your proposal
- Ensure your project directly targets COVID-19 or other large-scale emergencies in Canada
3
Prepare project proposal and budget
- Prepare a detailed project proposal, including objectives, expected outcomes, urgent relief needs, and direct links to emergencies
- Describe target populations, activities, key resources, stakeholders, potential risks, and mitigation measures
- Develop an itemized budget and list all anticipated sources of funding for the same expenses
4
Complete compliance sections
- Include all required declarations regarding conflict of interest and lobbying compliance
- Ensure project supports official languages requirements and privacy obligations
- Add complete contact information for the project authority
5
Submit application to Public Safety Canada
- Submit the completed application and supporting documents to Public Safety Canada
- Ensure you meet all submission requirements as specified by the program
6
Await funding decision
- Monitor the status of your application
- Provide any additional information if requested by program officials
Additional information
- The program will expire on March 31, 2026.
- Recipient organizations can apply a 12% administrative flat fee on eligible expenditures to cover indirect costs.
- All intellectual property developed as part of funded projects will belong to the recipient but must be licensed non-exclusively to the Minister.
- All communications and services related to funded projects must be provided in both official languages.
Contacts
hwf-moh@ps-sp.gc.ca
