Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations
• For-profit corporations incorporated in Canada
• Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entities
• Band Councils and Indigenous government authorities
• Non-federal public sector bodies

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. The following entities are not eligible:

• Individuals
• Foreign entities

Eligible expenses

• Customer premises equipment required to make high-speed Internet access available to households (for example, satellite terminals).

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations located anywhere in Canada, including all provinces and territories, as this is a federal program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Projects serving rural and remote areas of Canada where Internet service speeds have not yet reached 50/10 Mbps, as identified on the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.

• Completeness and strength of the application (all required documents provided and clear, with solid justifications and information).
• Timeliness and readiness of the project (ability to deploy quickly, shovel‑ready status, secured materials, human resources, permits, spectrum licences and access to third‑party infrastructure where needed).
• Coverage and service quality (focus on households currently below 50/10 Mbps and plans to deliver at least 50/10 Mbps with ambitious deployment schedules).
• Organizational capacity and track record (managerial, financial and technical expertise, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage similar projects without major issues).
• Financial viability and funding structure (remaining necessary funding largely secured and realistic budget to complete the project).

• Step 1: Access application materials
  • Go to the ISED Broadband Connection online platform.
  • Access the Rapid Response Stream Application form and all required templates and tools.
• Step 2: Prepare project coverage maps
  • Use the Eligibility Mapping Tool to design project coverage maps.
  • Generate project coverage map(s) with associated statistics in kml/kmz format.
• Step 3: Complete core Rapid Response Stream templates
  • Fill out the Rapid Response Stream Application form with all required project information.
  • Complete the Rapid Response Stream Eligibility and Impacts Template (Template 1R — Eligibility and Impacts Calculator).
  • Complete the Rapid Response Stream Detailed Budget Template (Template 2R — Detailed Budget).
  • Complete the Rapid Response Stream Last-mile Internet Service Offerings (Template 3R — Last Mile Internet Service Offerings).
• Step 4: Compile organizational and financial documentation
  • Prepare incorporation documents for the applicant organization.
  • Gather independently prepared financial statements for the last 3 years.
  • Develop a detailed project schedule (e.g. Gantt chart) showing key milestones and timelines.
• Step 5: Gather additional supporting documents
  • Assemble all project maps designed with the Eligibility Mapping Tool.
  • Collect any other supporting documents required to substantiate the application (as indicated in the program guidance).
  • If the project undertakes infrastructure in, or affects, an Indigenous community, obtain and attach an acknowledgement from the Indigenous community that supports the project (such as a Band council resolution or letter from the Chief or Council).
• Step 6: Submit complete application package
  • Ensure all required forms, templates, project maps, financial documents, schedules, and supporting documents are complete and consistent.
  • Submit the full application package through the ISED Broadband Connection within the program’s intake period.

• The Rapid Response Stream is now closed and is no longer accepting applications; the intake period ended on January 15, 2021.
• The stream was created to address urgent connectivity needs arising from the COVID‑19 pandemic by increasing household access to adequate Internet services.
• Applications were assessed on a rapid, rolling basis, meaning earlier, complete submissions had a higher likelihood of being selected.
• Reasonable efforts were made to ensure regional diversity and to make funding available to Indigenous communities, depending on the applications received.