Closed
Source verified August 4, 2026
International Development Assistance Program
International development funding for global projects
Funding available
Up to 95% of project cost
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Private sector entities, social enterprises, religious organizations, diaspora organizations, non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, universities, and educational institutions may apply unless specifically noted on a call page.
See full eligibility
Overview
The International Development Assistance Program supports eligible organizations delivering international development initiatives through Global Affairs Canada, with project ceilings ranging from $20M to $100M depending on the programming class. It covers bilateral, multilateral, and Partnerships with Canadians work, including salaries, travel, subcontractor fees, and other direct project costs.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Up to 95% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Research
- Other Health Services
- Social Services
- Emergency and Relief
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Other Philanthropic Intermediaries and Voluntarism Promotion
- International Activities
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Programs aimed at reducing poverty in countries where Global Affairs Canada is engaged in international development.
- Initiatives supporting essential health services and education for vulnerable populations in crisis-affected and low-income countries.
- Projects increasing access to income opportunities, including job creation and support for micro- and small enterprises, especially for marginalized groups.
- Collaborative international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and address emergencies outside Canada.
- Partnerships that engage Canadians in international development, including public awareness and education initiatives focused on global issues.
Documents Needed
- Concept note
- Signed financial statements for the organization’s two most recently completed financial years
- Organization Attestation signed by the organization’s Chief Financial Officer
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Supporting document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private sector entities, social enterprises, religious organizations, diaspora organizations, non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, universities, and educational institutions may apply unless specifically noted on a call page.
Who is not eligible
- Multilateral organizations are not eligible to apply for funding through calls.
- Organizations whose financial position is demonstrably unsound are not eligible.
- Organizations whose record of accomplishment and/or provided documentation fails to demonstrate their capacity to implement the project are not eligible.
- Organizations whose objectives or aims are not compatible with Canadian government policy decisions or Canada’s international development assistance objectives are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Salary costs and fringe benefits for the organization’s employees and local employees working on the project
- Subcontractor fees
- Program or project travel, accommodation, daily per diem, and incidentals
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Luxury goods
- Military equipment and supplies, except for donor military forces delivering humanitarian aid or development services
- Nuclear technology, except for peaceful or development purposes
- Grants to recipient countries
Eligible geographic areas
- Entities located in Canada, including provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, and their institutions, organizations, and agencies.
- Recipients in developing countries or territories as recognized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) / Development Assistance Committee (DAC) lists.
- Organizations in other donor countries recognized by the funding body.
Selection criteria
- Calls use a comparative process, and funding goes to the best fit for the specific call.
- Proposals should align strategically with the call’s objectives.
- Proposals should present appropriate technical designs.
- Proposals should complement, without duplicating, existing programming in the area and sector and other strong ideas submitted through the same call.
- Unsolicited concept notes are assessed on alignment with Canada’s international assistance priorities and the three core components: development challenge, solution, and organization capacity.
How to apply
- Register your organization in Partners@International if you are not already registered.
- For a call, review the call page to confirm the organization and project eligibility requirements.
- For a call, create a draft proposal in Partners@International by logging in, clicking Access Proposals, and clicking Create New Proposal.
- For an unsolicited application, prepare the concept note package and submit it through the Partners@International portal.
- Upload all final documents to Partners@International and press Submit on the proposal.
Processing and Agreement
- For calls, only applications from organizations that meet all eligibility requirements will be read.
- For calls, the initial application does not guarantee funding, and funding can only be recommended after the full proposal is reviewed.
- If invited to submit a full proposal, the applicant may accept or decline the invitation.
- Funding is never guaranteed until a financial instrument is signed.
- For unsolicited concept notes, the response is normally issued within two months of submission, and the result will be either an invitation to submit a proposal or no invitation.
Additional information
- Reporting requirements may include the submission of annual or narrative reports to Global Affairs Canada, depending on the type of agreement.
- Official bilingual communications and application forms are available in both English and French, in accordance with the Official Languages Act.
- Holdbacks of up to 15% of contribution values can be applied, released only after final accounting and reporting.
- Advance or single payments may be made in exceptional circumstances, such as humanitarian emergencies, based on fiduciary risk assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the International Development Assistance Program Program
What is the International Development Assistance Program?
The International Development Assistance Program supports eligible organizations delivering international development initiatives through Global Affairs Canada, with project ceilings ranging from $20M to $100M depending on the programming class. It covers bilateral, multilateral, and Partnerships with Canadians work, including salaries, travel, subcontractor fees, and other direct project costs.
How much funding can be received?
International Development Assistance Program Funds up to 95% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the International Development Assistance Program program?
To be eligible for the International Development Assistance Program program, you must:
The applicant must be a legal entity and be registered in Partners@International with proof of legal status.
The applicant must submit the 2 most recent signed financial statements.
The applicant must demonstrate the experience and capacity to implement the proposed project.
What expenses are eligible under International Development Assistance Program?
Programs aimed at reducing poverty in countries where Global Affairs Canada is engaged in international development.
Initiatives supporting essential health services and education for vulnerable populations in crisis-affected and low-income countries.
Projects increasing access to income opportunities, including job creation and support for micro- and small enterprises, especially for marginalized groups.
Collaborative international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and address emergencies outside Canada.
Partnerships that engage Canadians in international development, including public awareness and education initiatives focused on global issues.
Who can I contact for more information about the International Development Assistance Program?
You can contact Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Where is the International Development Assistance Program available?
The International Development Assistance Program program is available across Canada.
Is the International Development Assistance Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
International Development Assistance Program is a Grant and Funding