Closed
Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies
Supports NGOs in emergency response and capacity building
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 31, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Humanitarian Workforce Program provides up to $35 million per year to support Canadian not-for-profit organizations responding to large-scale emergencies. It funds capacity-building and deployment activities that help NGOs deliver emergency support, risk reduction, virtual relief services, and surge health and emergency management services.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- 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
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Building and maintaining NGO capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies.
- Deploying trained responders, services, and equipment during emergency response.
- Providing virtual relief services such as information, referrals, and emergency social support.
- Supporting risk reduction, recovery, and emergency management activities for affected communities.
Eligibility
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.
- Governmental organizations are not eligible.
- Organizations already funded for the same project by another order of government or a Government of Canada department or agency are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, benefits, and overtime for staff engaged in eligible activities.
- Emergency response supplies and equipment, including medical supplies, PPE, and related materials.
- Transportation, shipping, travel, rental, and sustainment costs directly tied to the project.
- Professional services, translation, printing, research, and other approved project costs.
- A 12% administrative flat fee and, where approved, certain response and recovery payments.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital costs such as land, buildings, vehicles, and other acquisitions above the program limit.
- Core or ongoing operating expenses.
- Amortization, interest, and travel not directly related to the project.
- Hospitality outside the Indigenous context.
- Profit and costs related to RCMP acting as a municipal, provincial, territorial, or Indigenous police service.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Requests are reviewed by Public Safety Canada officials before a recommendation is made for approval.
- Capacity-building proposals may be discussed with the Deputy Ministers’ Emergency Management Committee.
- For deployment funding, a request for assistance must first be received from the requesting jurisdiction.
- Approved projects require a new contribution agreement or an amendment to an existing one.
- Public Safety Canada may audit or review any project or contribution agreement.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies?
The Humanitarian Workforce Program provides up to $35 million per year to support Canadian not-for-profit organizations responding to large-scale emergencies. It funds capacity-building and deployment activities that help NGOs deliver emergency support, risk reduction, virtual relief services, and surge health and emergency management services.
How much funding can be received?
Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies program?
To be eligible for the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies program, you must:
Canadian not-for-profit organization incorporated under Canadian law
Ability to provide domestic services in Canada and national reach
Support from a provincial or territorial government
What expenses are eligible under Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies?
Building and maintaining NGO capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies.
Deploying trained responders, services, and equipment during emergency response.
Providing virtual relief services such as information, referrals, and emergency social support.
Supporting risk reduction, recovery, and emergency management activities for affected communities.
Who can I contact for more information about the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies?
You can contact Public Safety Canada (PSC) by email at hwf-moh@ps-sp.gc.ca.
Where is the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies available?
The Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies program is available across Canada.
Is the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) - COVID-19 and other large-scale emergencies is a Grant and Funding