Closed
Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Rapid funding stream improving rural and remote household Internet access
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream provided up to $5 million per project to rapidly improve household access to high‑speed Internet in rural and remote areas below the 50/10 Mbps standard. Funding supported shovel‑ready broadband projects, including deployment of physical infrastructure and last‑mile connectivity to targeted households.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
- Deployment of new broadband infrastructure to connect households in rural and remote areas that currently lack 50/10 Mbps Internet service.
- Expansion or upgrade of existing broadband projects to quickly improve household Internet speeds in underserved communities.
- Shovel-ready broadband projects that can connect most targeted households to high-speed Internet in the very short term.
- Broadband projects focused exclusively on improving household connectivity, including last‑mile connections to residences.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,830,000
Deploying satellite Internet services to isolated areas around Prince George
$ 1,375,000
Upgrading existing broadband infrastructure in farms around Fredericton
$ 1,640,000
Expanding wireless broadband infrastructure to remote communities around Kelowna
$ 2,050,000
Installing fiber-optic cables to enhance high-speed Internet access in rural areas around Barrie
$ 2,450,000
Laying underground cables to provide high-speed Internet in rural outskirts of Victoria
$ 1,020,000
Setting up community Wi-Fi networks in small villages near Windsor
Eligibility
- The applicant must be one of the following: a not-for-profit organization, a for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada, a Canadian provincial, territorial or municipal entity, a Band Council, an Indigenous government authority, a non-federal public sector body, or a partnership of these entities.
- The applicant or its partners must demonstrate the capacity and expertise to develop and deploy broadband networks within the program’s tight timelines.
- The project must target rural or remote areas that do not already have Internet service speeds of at least 50/10 Mbps, as identified in the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.
- The project must be “shovel-ready” and capable of being deployed quickly, with key resources, permits, infrastructure access, and dependencies already secured or imminently obtainable.
- Organizations seeking funding must show that they cannot deploy new broadband projects in the short term, or scale up ongoing projects, without public funding support.
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.
Selection criteria
- 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).
How to apply
1
Prepare Documentation
- Complete the Rapid Response Stream Application form.
- Fill out the Rapid Response Stream Eligibility and Impacts Template.
- Compile the Rapid Response Stream Detailed Budget Template.
- Prepare the Rapid Response Stream Last-mile Internet Service Offerings document.
- Create project maps with the Eligibility Mapping Tool.
- Gather all supporting documents, including incorporation documents and financial statements for the last 3 years.
- Develop a project schedule, such as a Gantt chart.
- If applicable, secure an acknowledgment from any Indigenous community affected by the project.
2
Submit Application
- Access the ISED Broadband Connection to upload your application and all supporting documents.
- Ensure all documentation is complete and accurately filled out.
- Submit the application package before the deadline.
3
Confirmation
- Check for confirmation of submission from the application portal.
- Keep a record of any submission confirmation for future reference.
Additional information
- 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.
