Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream

Q: How much funding can be received?

Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream Funds up to 5000000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream?

Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream is funded by Innovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Government of Canada

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream?

You can contact Innovation Canada.

Q: Where is the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream available?

The Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funds to bring broadband to remote-area households

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $5,000,000

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Get a contribution of up to $5 million to cover the costs of a shovel-ready broadband infrastructure project that will bring high-speed Internet at 50/10 Megabits per second to households in rural and remote communities.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provided strategic financial support tailored to rapidly implement broadband connectivity projects, ensuring expedient Internet access in underserved regions. The financing structure was designed to accommodate pressing deployment needs.

Maximum funding contribution of up to $5,000,000 per project.
Emphasis on household connectivity costs, including customer premise equipment like satellite terminals as eligible expenses.
Encouragement for projects to incur eligible costs post-Conditional Approval, although funding was not guaranteed for these costs until the signing of the Contribution Agreement.

Activities funded

Deployment of broadband infrastructure projects that can be executed swiftly.
Expansion or upgrading of existing broadband networks to enhance service speeds where they do not meet 50/10 Mbps.
Projects offering rapid connectivity improvements directly to households.

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

Eligibility for this grant was determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's legal status and project capabilities.

The applicant had to be one of the following entities:
- 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
- A partnership of any of the entities listed above
Partners had to demonstrate their ability to develop broadband networks within the required timelines.
Projects had to target areas where service speeds did not already meet 50/10 Mbps as per the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.
Projects underway were eligible if they planned to expand or upgrade and not cover activities already in progress.
Applicants had to demonstrate a need for public funding to initiate or scale up projects quickly.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Rapid Response Stream were organizations looking to improve household access to high-speed Internet, specifically targeting rural and remote areas in Canada. The eligible entities included:- 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.- A partnership of any of the entities listed above.

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

This grant supports projects that aim to rapidly enhance Internet connectivity for underserved areas. Eligible activities focus on deploying infrastructure and connecting households to high-speed services efficiently.

Deployment of physical broadband infrastructure.
Connecting households to high-speed Internet services.
Expansion or upgrade of existing Internet service projects, if not yet underway.

Eligible geographic areas

The eligible geography for the Rapid Response Stream was determined by the usage of the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map. This map identified rural and remote areas in Canada lacking the required Internet speeds.

Areas across Canada not yet reaching 50/10 Mbps Internet service.
Rural and remote Canadian regions.
Indigenous communities in Canada.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Rapid Response Stream were based on several factors to ensure that the projects met the urgent connectivity needs in rural and remote communities.

Priority was given to complete applications submitted earlier in the process.
Projects covering areas or households not currently serviced with 50/10Mbps speeds were prioritized.
Applications were assessed based on the completeness and strength of the documentation provided.
Organizations had to demonstrate strong managerial, financial, and technical expertise or experience.
Applicants needed to have a track record of meeting deadlines and effectively managing previous projects.
Projects needed to show secured or nearly secured necessary funding from other sources.
Priority was given to projects proposing connections with speeds of at least 50/10Mbps.
Readiness in terms of securing access to third-party passive infrastructure was considered.
Projects already having secured municipal permits, or evidence of imminent approval, were prioritized.
Efforts to ensure regional diversity and inclusion of Indigenous communities were considered.

How to apply

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.

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.

Confirmation

Check for confirmation of submission from the application portal.
Keep a record of any submission confirmation for future reference.

Documents and links

Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream?

This grant prioritized funding for broadband projects that could be rapidly deployed to improve high-speed Internet access in rural and remote communities lacking adequate service. The focus was on shovel-ready initiatives to expand connectivity quickly and effectively in underserved areas. Deployment of broadband infrastructure projects that can be executed swiftly. Expansion or upgrading of existing broadband networks to enhance service speeds where they do not meet 50/10 Mbps. Projects offering rapid connectivity improvements directly to households.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream?

Who is eligible for the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream program?

To be eligible for the Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream program, you must: Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, for-profit corporations incorporated in Canada, and Canadian provincial, territorial, or municipal entities. Applicants may also be a Band Council, an Indigenous government authority, or a partnership of the aforementioned entities. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop broadband networks within program time constraints in areas lacking 50/10 Mbps service.