Unsolicited Proposals Mechanism

• Completed concept note
• Signed financial statements for the two most recently completed financial years
• Organization Attestation signed by the CFO

Who is eligible?

• Canadian organizations
• International organizations
• Non-governmental organizations
• Universities
• Private sector entities and social enterprises

Who is not eligible

• Organizations without legal status
• Canadian organizations without a CRA business number
• Organizations with an unsound financial position
• Organizations that cannot demonstrate implementation capacity
• Organizations whose objectives conflict with Canadian government policy or development assistance objectives

Eligible expenses

• Preparation of the concept note or proposal is not eligible for reimbursement
• Only project costs approved in the funding agreement may be reimbursed
• Eligible direct costs may include salaries, travel, goods and services, and other project-related expenses

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs incurred before the funding agreement is signed
• Proposal or concept note preparation costs
• Profit for the recipient
• Costs not directly required to achieve the project results

Eligible geographic areas

• Official development assistance-eligible countries

• Alignment with Canada’s international assistance priorities
• Strength of the development challenge and proposed solution
• Organization capacity to deliver the project
• Relevance to GAC programs, plans, priorities, and budget considerations
• Higher cost-share and innovation may be preferred where proposals are otherwise equal

• Step 1: Check program fit
  • Review GAC priorities and general terms and conditions.
  • Verify that your organization is a legal entity.
• Step 2: Prepare the concept note
  • Draft the concept note following the published guidance.
  • Gather signed financial statements and the Organization Attestation.
• Step 3: Submit through Partners@International
  • Register your organization in the portal if needed.
  • Upload the final documents and submit the application in the portal.
  • Wait for the automated receipt confirmation.
• Step 4: Await review outcome
  • Monitor for the response, usually within two months.
  • If invited, prepare and submit the full proposal using the provided template and instructions.

• Concept note is reviewed after submission through Partners@International
• Applicants usually receive a response within two months
• Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal
• Funding is only confirmed after a separate financial instrument is signed
• Unsuccessful concept notes may be reconsidered later if funds become available

• The application process is two-step: a concept note first, then a full proposal if invited.
• Funding is not guaranteed until a financial instrument is signed.
• Applications must be submitted through Partners@International only.
• Global Affairs Canada may request additional documents later in the process.