Closed
Sectoral Initiatives Program
Funding for sectoral skills and workforce solutions
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 22, 2021
- Closing date : March 4, 2021
Location
Canada
Overview
Eligible organizations can receive up to $2,500,000 per project per year. The program funds projects that identify, forecast, and address sectoral or cross-sectoral human resources and skills development needs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : January 22, 2021
- Closing date : March 4, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Sectoral labour market intelligence and tools
- Sectoral training and worker transition solutions
- Solutions for employers
- Cross-sector workforce solutions and recovery-focused initiatives
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Partner confirmation letter(s)
- Detailed budget template
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations with non-commercial activities
- Municipal governments
- Indigenous organizations
- Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown corporations
Who is not eligible
- For-profit projects with a commercial purpose or profit-making intent
Eligible expenses
- Wages and mandatory employment costs
- Professional fees, including consulting, research, and translation
- Materials, supplies, printing, communications, and IT support
- Research, evaluation, data collection and analysis
- Travel and other approved administrative costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital improvements such as building construction or renovation
- Products or tools for one organization only
- Duplicate or repeated products and programs
- Regular ongoing operating activities and unrelated administrative overhead
- Proposal preparation costs, fines, penalties, entertainment, and lobbyist fees
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Organizations located and operating in Quebec must obtain Quebec government approval if selected
Selection criteria
- Organizational capacity and relevant expertise
- Clarity of project objectives and alignment with program goals
- Feasibility and relevance of project activities and timelines
- Measurable results, indicators, and reporting approach
- Reasonableness of project costs
How to apply
- Step 1: Gather supporting documents
- Complete the application form.
- Obtain partner confirmation letters.
- Prepare the detailed budget template.
- Step 2: Choose an application method
- Apply online through GCOS.
- Or submit by email or by mail.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Online: create a GCOS account, complete the budget template, and upload the application.
- Email or mail: complete the form and budget template, then send the package to the program.
- Step 4: Receive confirmation
- Applicants receive confirmation of receipt after submission.
Processing and Agreement
- The application is reviewed after submission.
- Funding decisions are made after review.
- Applicants receive confirmation of receipt after submission.
- If approved, a signed funding agreement must be in place before activities begin.
Additional information
- Projects must involve at least one partner.
- Applicants in Quebec need provincial approval if selected.
- A funding decision was expected in summer 2021.
- Information sessions were held in early February.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sectoral Initiatives Program Program
What is the Sectoral Initiatives Program?
Eligible organizations can receive up to $2,500,000 per project per year. The program funds projects that identify, forecast, and address sectoral or cross-sectoral human resources and skills development needs.
How much funding can be received?
Sectoral Initiatives Program Funds up to $2,500,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 4, 2021.
Who is eligible for the Sectoral Initiatives Program program?
To be eligible for the Sectoral Initiatives Program program, you must:
Up to 36 months
At least one partner
10% other funding
What expenses are eligible under Sectoral Initiatives Program?
Sectoral labour market intelligence and tools
Sectoral training and worker transition solutions
Solutions for employers
Cross-sector workforce solutions and recovery-focused initiatives
Who can I contact for more information about the Sectoral Initiatives Program?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at NC-DGOP-POB-PAIS-SIP-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
Where is the Sectoral Initiatives Program available?
The Sectoral Initiatives Program program is available across Canada.