How much funding can be received?

Get up to $15 million for a project that will help individuals and employers create inclusive and accessible workplaces for persons with disabilities, through activities such as coaching, training, and human resources support. This call for proposals is a

grant_single_labels|projects

Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant.

Work Experience (including potential wage subsidies)
Skills for Employment (including pre-employment and employability supports)
Self-Employment
Enhanced Employment Assistance Services
Enhanced Employer Support
Employer Awareness
Career Advancement Work Experience
Skills for Advancement
Employer Supports for Career Advancement

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$4,000,000

Toronto

Creating an inclusive employment program for persons with disabilities

$5,500,000

Ottawa

Developing a specialized job coaching program for persons with disabilities

$5,000,000

Vancouver

Launching a skills development initiative for persons with disabilities

$4,500,000

Calgary

Implementing a self-employment training program for persons with disabilities

$3,000,000

Winnipeg

Organizing accessible career fairs for persons with disabilities

$2,500,000

Montreal

Establishing an employer support network for inclusive hiring

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, organizations must be of specific types and their projects must meet certain criteria, including duration, funding limits, and geographical scope.

Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations (if non-commercial and supports program priorities and objectives)
Municipal governments
Educational Institutions (including post-secondary institutions) and school boards
Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities)
Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown Corporations with approval from the Minister
Maximum project duration of 3 years (or 36 consecutive months)
Maximum funding request of $15,000,000 total
National Component: Project activities must be delivered in 3 or more provinces or territories
Regional Component: Project activities must be delivered in 1 or 2 provinces or territories

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible applicants must meet specific criteria and include various organizations:

Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations (if nature and intent of the activity in its proposal is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
Municipal governments
Educational Institutions (including post-secondary institutions), school boards
Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities)
Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown Corporations with approval from the Minister

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are no specific types of companies mentioned in the grant context that are not eligible for the grant.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenditures are those considered necessary to support the purpose of the funding, including overhead costs, wages, training, and participant costs. Ineligible expenditures include costs associated with fundraising, legal fees, and entertainment.

Overhead costs
Materials and supplies
Wages and mandatory employment-related costs (MERCS)
Training and professional development for staff
Honoraria and hospitality costs
Printing and communication
Travel (international travel must be specifically authorized)
Professional fees (such as consultants, research, audit, translation)
Capital costs only for repairs or renovations to support the participation of persons with disabilities
Expenses related to services and supports provided by partner organizations to enable the recipient to better serve members of other equity-deserving groups
Sub-agreement costs of recipients that redistribute contributions
Participant costs, such as tuition, living expenses, and disability accommodation
Costs of collecting and reporting on data as required by ESDC
Other costs necessary to support the purpose of the funding, as approved by the Minister of ESDC

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant include all provinces and territories in Canada except for Quebec in the Regional Component, due to a specific administrative agreement with Quebec.

National Component: 3 or more provinces or territories
Regional Component: 1 or 2 provinces or territories (excluding Quebec)

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation of applications for this grant is based on a set of criteria including project relevance, project management, and budget clarity. Additional funding considerations also aim to distribute funding equitably, with extra points for applicants who have never applied for OF funding previously.

Project Relevance (25%): Clear link to the objective of the CFP and overall relevance of the proposal.
Project Management (55%): Clear activities and timelines, feasibility, project experience, results delivery, and results measurement indicators.
Project Budget (20%): Clear, reasonable, and eligible costs to support project activities.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Gather your supporting documents and information
Completed Application for Funding form (EMP5523)
Proof of organization’s type and status: Provide your 15-digit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registration number. If you do not have a CRA registration number, provide your provincial/territorial corporation number, your federal corporation number with Industry Canada, or a document confirming the proof of operations for your organization.
Budget Detail Template (BDT)
Step 2: Decide how to apply (online, email, or mail)
If applying online:
Create your Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account.
Read the applicant guide for detailed instructions.
Download, save, and complete the Budget Detail Template (BDT).
Submit your online application using your GCOS account. Make sure to print a copy before submitting and click "submit" to complete your application.
If applying by email or mail:
Read the applicant guide to complete your Application for Funding form (EMP5523).
Complete the Application for Funding form (EMP5523) and the Budget Detail Template (BDT). Ensure the Attestation section is complete.
Print and sign the signature pages.
Send your complete application package by email or mail to the ESDC office closest to your organization’s head office, with a date stamp no later than July 22, 2022, 11:59 PM PST.
Step 3: Review and confirmation
Online: You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt.
Email: You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt by email.
Mail: You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email within 14 calendar days from the end of the CFP.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities grant is focused on supporting disability inclusion and accessibility in employment through innovative projects. It addresses labor market barriers and offers funding up to $15,000,000 for projects running up to three years.

Application period: Closed as of July 22, 2022
Funding components: National (3 or more provinces/territories) and Regional (1 or 2 provinces/territories)
Eligible organizations can apply for one proposal under each component
Eligible project duration: Up to 3 years (36 consecutive months)
Average cost per participant guidance: Approximately $12,000
Streams: Participant-focused, Employer Stream, Career Advancement Stream
Eligible expenditures: Overhead costs, wages, training, travel, professional fees, etc.
Ineligible expenditures: Fundraising activities, penalties, entertainment costs, capital costs for construction, purchase of motor vehicles, etc.
Assessment criteria: Project Relevance (25%), Project Management (55%), Project Budget (20%)
Supports to employers include coaching, training, HR support, and creating inclusive and accessible workplaces

Apply to this program

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities – National or Regional Component

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities aims to support individuals with disabilities, employers, and other stakeholders in fostering disability inclusion and accessibility in employment. This grant offers funding for innovative projects that address labour market barriers, support career advancement, and promote inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grant Overview and Detailed Explanation

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is a significant initiative by the Government of Canada designed to enhance the economic participation and independence of persons with disabilities. This grant provides financial support for projects that help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep good jobs, become self-employed, or advance in their careers. Additionally, the fund assists employers in creating inclusive and accessible workplaces, thereby contributing to a more inclusive labour market.

Objectives of the Program

The primary objectives of the Opportunities Fund are:

To enable persons with disabilities to prepare for, find, and retain meaningful employment or pursue self-employment opportunities.
To assist persons with disabilities in advancing their careers or assuming new or greater responsibilities in their current roles.
To help employers create inclusive and accessible workplaces through various forms of support such as coaching, training, and human resources assistance.
To improve the capacity of workers across various occupations to identify and address barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Eligible Applicants

Not-for-profit organizations.
For-profit organizations, provided the proposed activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and aligns with the program's priorities and objectives.
Municipal governments.
Educational institutions, including post-secondary institutions and school boards.
Indigenous organizations, such as band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities.
Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown corporations with ministerial approval.

Organizations located in Quebec can apply under the National Component but not the Regional Component due to the Canada-Quebec Agreement in support of persons with disabilities.

Eligible Projects

The project must have a maximum duration of 3 years (36 consecutive months).
The maximum funding request is $15,000,000.
If applying under the National Component, the project activities must be delivered in three or more provinces or territories. For the Regional Component, activities must be delivered in one or two provinces or territories.
The project must specify which stream(s) it will focus on: Participant-focused Stream, Employer Stream, or Career Advancement Stream.

Stream-Specific Eligibility Requirements

Stream 1: Participant-focused Stream

Projects under this stream must include work experience or self-employment activities or a combination of both. Additionally, these projects should engage with employers to create successful work placements and must involve a minimum of eight participants per year, with exceptions for rural and remote areas.

Stream 2: Employers Stream

This stream focuses on reaching out to employers to build awareness and support for hiring and retaining persons with disabilities. Projects must describe proposed activities to build employer awareness and raise the profile of persons with disabilities within the employer community.

Stream 3: Career Advancement Stream

Projects under this stream must involve a minimum of six participants per year and focus on helping persons with disabilities advance in their careers. This includes providing training and work placement opportunities to help individuals acquire new skills and move to higher-quality jobs.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities vary depending on the stream:

Stream 1 - Participant-focused Stream

Work Experience (including potential wage subsidies).
Skills for Employment (including pre-employment and employability supports).
Self-Employment.
Enhanced Employment Assistance Services.
Enhanced Employer Support.

Stream 2 - Employer Stream

Employer Awareness activities.
Enhanced Employer Support activities.

Stream 3 - Career Advancement Stream

Career Advancement Work Experience.
Skills for Advancement.
Employer Supports for Career Advancement.

Eligible Participants

Participants must self-identify as having a permanent or recurring physical, mental or neurodevelopmental disability that restricts their ability to perform daily activities. They must also be legally entitled to work in Canada and be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee status in Canada.

Eligible Expenditures

Eligible expenditures include those necessary for supporting the purpose of the funding, such as:

Overhead costs related to central administrative functions.
Materials and supplies.
Wages and mandatory employment-related costs (MERCS).
Training and professional development for staff.
Honoraria and hospitality costs.
Travel expenses (with specific authorization for international travel).
Professional fees for consultants, research, audits, and translation.
Capital costs for repairs or renovations to support the participation of persons with disabilities.
Sub-agreement costs of recipients that redistribute contributions.
Participant costs such as tuition, living expenses, specialized services, and disability accommodation.

Ineligible expenditures include costs associated with fundraising activities, legal fees and court awards, membership fees for private clubs, and the purchase of motor vehicles, among others.

Application Process

Interested organizations can apply online or by email/mail. The application period for the current cycle is closed, but prospective applicants can prepare for the next cycle by gathering supporting documents and completing the necessary forms. Essential documents include the completed Application for Funding form (EMP5523) and proof of the organization’s type and status.

Steps to Apply

Gather supporting documents and information.
Decide how to apply (online, email, or mail).

How to Apply Online

Create a Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account.
Read the applicant guide to complete the online form.
Download and save the Budget Detail Template (BDT) in PDF format to complete it.
Submit the online application using the GCOS account.

How to Apply by Email or Mail

Read the applicant guide to complete the Application for Funding form (EMP5523).
Complete the required forms and ensure the Attestation section is complete.
Print and sign the signature pages.
Send the application package to the nearest ESDC office by the stipulated deadline.

Review and Selection

Applications will be assessed based on project relevance (25%), project management (55%), and project budget (20%). Additional points may be awarded to applicants who have never previously applied for Opportunities Fund funding.

For more information or assistance with the application process, organizations can contact the ESDC office closest to their head office. Information sessions are also held to provide an overview of the application process and funding priorities.

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities represents a vital effort by the Government of Canada to foster inclusive growth and ensure that persons with disabilities receive the necessary support to thrive in the labour market. By understanding the eligibility criteria, streams, and application process, organizations can effectively apply for this funding and contribute to a more inclusive and accessible workforce.