Request for Proposals: Play Learn Thrive - Transition to Scale

Eligibility

TTS Eligibility Screen Grand Challenges Canada will screen all funding applications based on the eligibility criteria outlined below. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be removed from the review process. 

The eligibility criteria are listed below: 

• Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations that: 
• Are formed and legally incorporated entities
• Are legally registered to do business in at least one of the four priority countries (Kenya, Uganda, Lebanon, and Jordan) 
• Have an active presence in at least one of the four priority countries 
• Will be implementing the program directly in at least one of the four priority countries 
• Can successfully perform activities in their technical area 

• Can receive and administer funding 

  
  The following are ineligible: 

• Individuals Sole proprietorships 
• For-profit entities 
• Unincorporated trusts and partnerships 
• Government institutions 
• United Nations country offices *Social entrepreneurs that are interested in applying should ensure they have the legal capacity to enter into a contract with Grand Challenges Canada. 

Summary

At Transition to Scale (TTS), we will support promising early-stage innovations that have achieved proof-of-concept or demonstrated initial positive results of the innovation and have significant potential to achieve sustainable impact at scale or as it reaches more people. Our goal is to support innovators to scale their projects, with funding offered between $300,000-$1,500,000 CAD over a maximum of 24 months. 

Should your proposal be selected for funding, the awarded grant amount will be determined depending on the stage of the innovation. There are different possible objectives or purposes for TTS funding based on the stage of development of the innovation, such as: 

• Generate additional evidence of impact needed for scale-up, and/or address gaps in existing evidence (e.g. through validation studies); 
• Advance planning for scale and sustainability (develop or validate a viable plan, business model, etc.); 
• Build organizational capacity and strengthen partnerships needed to scale 
• Innovators must identify the purpose(s) of their TTS project and the amount of funding requested in their application.

We seek TTS innovations that focus on: 

• Strengthening children’s (from birth to 12 years of age) education and/or development, with a focus on those who are left behind and whose developmental and educational needs are not being met; OR 
• Strengthening the capacity and/or wellbeing of the support networks around children, including though not limited to their educators, caregivers, community care providers, etc. OR 
• Supporting children AND their support networks. 

Grant Instruments 

Grand Challenges Canada aims to provide grant funding that is patient, allowing innovators the room to fail fast and repeat along a non-linear path to scale, while also encouraging accountability through having project objectives (milestones) during the funding period, with funding provided in stages upon meeting the milestones. Grand Challenges Canada reserves the right to negotiate funding agreements and to make limitations on the time, scope and amount of funding provided, at its own discretion. 

Strategic Partnerships & Match Funding 

Grand Challenges Canada assumes that to scale sustainably beyond our funding, innovators need support from strategic partners that provide money and critical ‘more than-money’ access to resources, networks, markets, and expertise. All innovators are encouraged to secure co-funding in addition to Grand Challenges Canada’s grant. Other funding from GCC or in-kind donations without a clear cash equivalent do not qualify as matching funds.

Overhead

Innovators are entitled to up to 10% of its Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) to cover indirect costs.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

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.

Application Process and Timeline

To apply for funding, applicants must use the online application provided, which is only accessible via the Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal (https://gcc.fluxx.io). 

Language: While this Request for Proposals is translated in Arabic and French, only applications that are submitted in English will be reviewed. Applications in any other language will be rejected without review. Note that quality of the English language proposal will not play a factor in the evaluation of the proposal unless it significantly affects the clarity of the information. 

Timeline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis between January 21st, 2025, and November 27th, 2025, and will involve a two-stage process: completing a screening questionnaire and project summary (stage one) and then submitting a full project application (stage two). TTS Application intake deadlines 

Application Submission Deadline #1: April 24th, 2025, at 2 pm ET 

*Please refer to the FAQ for the additional application submission deadlines throughout 2025

Additional Resources

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available internally through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.