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Source verified August 3, 2026
Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism
Global Affairs Canada funding application portal
Funding available
Up to 5% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Private sector entities, social enterprises, religious organizations, diaspora organizations, non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and universities may apply, unless specifically noted on a call page.
See full eligibility
Overview
Partenaires@International supports certain Global Affairs Canada funding applications through a two-step process. Applicants submit a concept note first, then may be invited to provide a full proposal for eligible development initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Up to 5% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Social Services
- Environment
- Employment and Training
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Other Philanthropic Intermediaries and Voluntarism Promotion
- International Activities
Target groups
- General public
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Submission of unsolicited concept notes through Partenaires@International.
- Submitting a full proposal if invited after the concept note review.
Documents Needed
- Concept note
- Signed financial statements for your organization’s two most recently completed financial years
- Organization Attestation signed by your organization’s Chief Financial Officer
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private sector entities, social enterprises, religious organizations, diaspora organizations, non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and universities may apply, unless specifically noted on a call page.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations without legal status.
- Organizations whose financial position is demonstrably unsound.
- Organizations whose record of accomplishment and/or provided documentation fails to demonstrate their capacity to implement the project.
- Organizations whose objectives or aims are not compatible with Canadian government policy decisions or Canada’s international development assistance objectives.
Eligible expenses
- Remuneration for the organization’s employees and local employees.
- Fees for subcontractors with an arm’s length relationship with the organization.
- Travel costs.
- Goods, assets and supplies.
- Project administration costs directly related to the Project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Notes conceptuelles soumises en format PDF
- Projects that forecast a deficit
- Projects whose costs are primarily related to the creation and/or maintenance of a website unrelated to the Program’s objectives
- Projects taking place primarily outside Canada
- Activities that are primarily religious in nature or advocate for specific political parties
Eligible geographic areas
- Official development assistance-eligible countries
Selection criteria
- Alignment with Canada’s international assistance priorities.
- Development challenge.
- Solution.
- Organization capacity.
- No points are awarded when concept notes are assessed.
How to apply
- Review the concept note guidance and the Questions and Answers on funding applications.
- Prepare the application package, including the concept note, signed financial statements, and the Organization Attestation.
- Submit the request through the Partners@International portal.
- If your organization is not registered in the portal, request registration first.
- If your organization is already registered, sign in, click “Propositions,” then click “Créer une proposition.”
Processing and Agreement
- You should receive an automated email acknowledging receipt.
- You should receive a response within two months of submitting your application, although the timeframe could be longer for concept notes that include an innovative finance or repayable contribution component.
- If the concept note is of interest to GAC, you will be invited to submit a proposal.
- Funding is never guaranteed until and unless a financial instrument is signed.
- Your application is saved in the system, so please do not resubmit an unsolicited application for the same project idea within a two-year period.
Additional information
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Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism Program
What is the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism?
Partenaires@International supports certain Global Affairs Canada funding applications through a two-step process. Applicants submit a concept note first, then may be invited to provide a full proposal for eligible development initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism Funds up to 5% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism program?
To be eligible for the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism program, you must:
Affaires mondiales Canada ne peut financer que les entités juridiques.
If the organization is Canadian, it must have an Canada Revenue Agency business number.
Only initiatives strongly aligned with Global Affairs Canada priorities are funded.
What expenses are eligible under Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism?
Submission of unsolicited concept notes through Partenaires@International.
Submitting a full proposal if invited after the concept note review.
Who can I contact for more information about the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism?
You can contact Global Affairs Canada (GAC) by email at partners-partenaires@international.gc.ca or by phone at 1-800-267-8376.
Where is the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism available?
The Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism program is available across Canada.
Is the Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Unsolicited Concept Note / Unsolicited Proposal Funding Mechanism is a Partnering and Collaboration