Contributions program for non-profit consumer and voluntary organizations

Eligibility

Applicants may apply independently or as a partnership with other organizations. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations or associations incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially) and/or may be: 

• Not-for-profit social enterprises or co-operatives 

• A consortia of non-profit organizations 

• Post-secondary academic institutions or research institutes

 • Indigenous organizations

Summary

The Contributions Program for Non-profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations (the Program) at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) supports organizations in the production of high quality, independent and timely research on consumer issues. 

The objective of the Program is to strengthen the consumer's role in the marketplace through the promotion of sound research and analysis, and by encouraging the financial self-sufficiency of consumer and voluntary organizations.

Priority will be given to Research and Consumer Movement Development streams.

Research Stream

Research Projects under this stream are aimed at improving the capacity of consumer organizations to represent the interests of consumers in the marketplace decision-making process through sound research and analysis of consumer protection issues that are national in scope.

Consumer Movement Development Stream

Development projects aim to strengthen organizations' capacity to work collaboratively in the interest of Canadian consumers by developing joint plans and initiatives in the areas of policy research, analysis and development; by creating and implementing action plans to address issues of national concern; by making concerted international representations; and by establishing joint representation and communication initiatives with the public, with government, and with industry.

Organizational Development Stream

Organizational Development Projects aim to strengthen an organization's capacity to diversify revenue sources and increase its level of self-sufficiency. Projects may include the preparation of multi-year business plans, feasibility studies (including online services) and market analysis, or pilot projects for developing and producing products or services with the potential to generate long-term revenues for the organization, or increase its visibility and/or the membership base.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Notice of Intent stage

Universities may submit one proposal per department. 

• A department head will be permitted to nominate only one potential applicant. In the case of non-departmentalized Faculties, only one nomination can go forward from the Faculty.

As the department/division head may nominate only one applicant, departments or the Faculty (for non-departmentalized Faculties) should contact Anna LeMarquand at asamuels@ucalgary.ca by March 15, 2024 to advise that an applicant has been chosen to go forward to the agency. The intent of this notice is to ensure that no more than one application is put forward per department/division. Please send the following:

1. Principal Investigator’s name
2. Faculty and Department
3. Project Title

Full application stage

Full applications, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/research-management-system-rms), will be required by RSO by noon on March 25, 2024.  Please be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (Under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. 

Once your RMS record has been approved by Research Services, submit to the agency by their deadline on March 28, 2024.