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National AccessAbility Week Funding
Funding for accessible awareness projects
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Funding available
$ 360,000
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community
See full eligibility
Overview
Accessible Canada – National AccessAbility Week Funding 2027 to 2029 provides up to $3.6 million over three years to eligible organizations across Canada for projects that promote the Accessible Canada Act. The program supports NAAW awareness events, videos, social media campaigns, and other inclusion-focused activities.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 360,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Emergency and Relief
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- People with disabilities
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Annual awareness-raising events during National AccessAbility Week
- Arts and cultural events
- Speaking events
- Videos, social media campaigns, and other awareness products
Documents Needed
- Completed application
- Budget Detail Template
- A document from the Canada Revenue Agency dated within the last 2 years showing a valid business number, unless you are already registered with Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS), or an acceptable alternative if no CRA business or registration number exists
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
National AccessAbility Week Funding updated for 2027 to 2029
The program has been reworked for 2027 to 2029 with new funding amounts, a July 28, 2026 application deadline, revised eligibility, and updated GCOS help and information-session details.
The National AccessAbility Week Funding pages now show the 2027 to 2029 call for proposals instead of the 2025 and 2026 intake, with applications open during 2026 National AccessAbility Week and due July 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Funding increased from up to $100,000 or $200,000 over 2 years to up to $3.6 million total over 3 years, with project tiers of up to $180,000 or up to $360,000 and new regional or national scope and partnership requirements for the higher tier. The program focus now centres on the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations, and the eligibility and assessment language was rewritten to reflect the new call objectives, one-application-per-CRA-business-number rule, and updated priorities and expected results. The application and help pages also changed to new GCOS guidance, a July 26, 2026 contact deadline for applicants who cannot use GCOS, a Winter 2026 funding decision target, and new registration links for four virtual information sessions on June 17, June 18,
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community
- Organizations and institutions supported by provincial or territorial entities, such as educational institutions and health/social services institutions, in partnership with disability organizations
- Municipalities in partnership with disability organizations
- Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
- Applicants from organizations and institutions supported by provincial or territorial entities, and municipalities, must have disability partners with a leadership role in the overall project design and delivery of activities
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Provincial and territorial governments
Eligible expenses
- Wages and benefits
- Professional fees
- Travel and accommodations
- Materials, supplies, printing, and communications
- Equipment rental, lease or maintenance; administration costs and capital assets; disability supports for staff; accessibility services for events
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Construction projects, installation of accessible building supports, repair projects, and lobbying activities
- Costs incurred before ESDC approval and agreement signature
- Ongoing operating or service delivery costs
- Proposal preparation costs
- Fundraising activities, staff salary bonuses, and alcohol purchases
Selection criteria
- Project objectives: 24% of overall assessment.
- Project activities: 28% of overall assessment.
- Project impact and results: 21% of overall assessment.
- Project budget: 5% of overall assessment.
- Priorities: 22% of overall assessment, including participation of persons with disabilities, alignment with key priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations, support for NAAW activities within underrepresented communities, geographical distribution across Canada, multi-sectoral partnerships, partnerships among diverse groups from within the disability community, support for Official Languages, and accessible and inclusive services.
How to apply
- Use the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) to apply.
- If you do not have a GCOS account, create one as soon as possible.
- Complete your GCOS user and organization profile, then submit your application.
- Submit a complete application package by 3:00 pm EDT on July 28, 2026.
- If you are unable to apply through GCOS, email EDSC.AC.NAAW-SNA.CA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca by July 26, 2026 at 3:00 pm EDT and explain why.
Processing and Agreement
- GCOS submissions receive an acknowledgment message immediately by email and a tracking number.
- Only the first application received will be reviewed; submitting multiple copies or using various methods causes longer processing times.
- Funding decisions are expected in Winter 2026 and are final with no appeal process.
- Projects may not begin before a funding agreement has been signed by your organization and the Department.
- Expenses for activities before your organization signs the Funding Agreement may not be reimbursed, and letters of support from implicated partners must be provided at the time of agreement.
Additional information
- Employment and Social Development Canada will hold virtual information sessions for organizations interested in applying for funding.
- All information sessions will be accessible with sign language interpretation and CART captioning.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the National AccessAbility Week Funding Program
What is the National AccessAbility Week Funding?
Accessible Canada – National AccessAbility Week Funding 2027 to 2029 provides up to $3.6 million over three years to eligible organizations across Canada for projects that promote the Accessible Canada Act. The program supports NAAW awareness events, videos, social media campaigns, and other inclusion-focused activities.
How much funding can be received?
National AccessAbility Week Funding Funds up to $360,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the National AccessAbility Week Funding program?
To be eligible for the National AccessAbility Week Funding program, you must:
Projects must align with the CFP objectives
Projects must run no longer than 3 years
Projects over $180,000 and up to $360,000 need regional or national scope and disability-community partnerships, unless the applicant is an Indigenous organization
What expenses are eligible under National AccessAbility Week Funding?
Wages and benefits
Professional fees
Travel and accommodations
Materials, supplies, printing, and communications
Equipment rental, lease or maintenance; administration costs and capital assets; disability supports for staff; accessibility services for events
Who can I contact for more information about the National AccessAbility Week Funding?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.AC.NAAW-SNA.CA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
Where is the National AccessAbility Week Funding available?
The National AccessAbility Week Funding program is available across Canada.
Is the National AccessAbility Week Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
National AccessAbility Week Funding is a Grant and Funding