1. Funding
  2. Guidance and Resources
  3. Applying for a grant using the portal

Applying for a Grant

E-APP-002

Introduction

This is a step-by-step guide on applying for grants, including key features of the application process in the portal.

Prerequisites

E-APP-001: Searching for Funding Opportunities

Start an application

Steps to initiating an application for a funding opportunity (grant)

  1. Navigate to the page of the grant that you want to apply for.
  2. Click the Apply Now button to initiate the application process.
  3. The system displays the Before you start pop-up window.
  4. In the Select applicant type drop-down menu, choose whether you are applying as an Individual, a Group or an Organization.
  5. Select the applicable account in the Select an Account drop-down menu and proceed as follows:

    6. For the Individual applicant type:

    • The account drop-down menu is auto populated with your Individual account name. Click Save to navigate to your application.

    For the Group applicant type:

    • The account drop-down menu will display the group(s) related to your account. Select the group that is applying for the funding opportunity and click Save.

    Note: To create a new group, select the Create New radio button, complete the Name, Group Description (mandatory) and Email (optional) fields. Click Save to navigate to your application.

    For the Organization applicant type:

    • The account drop-down menu will display the organization(s) related to your account. Select the organization that is applying for the funding opportunity and click Save.

      • Note: To create a new organization, select the Create New radio button, complete the Name (mandatory), Email, Corporation Registered, Not-for-profit Corporation, Canadian Corporation Number and Business Number (optional) fields. Select Save to navigate to your application.

  6. The system displays the Application screen, including information about your application and a checklist of items to complete in order to submit your application.

    7. Note: You will be able to access your draft application from the Application list on your account screen (Individual account, Group account or Organization account). You will also be able to access your draft application from the Application list on the homepage.

Complete an application

Steps to completing your application

  1. The Application screen includes the following information about your application. Review this information before completing your application:
    • Application Information
      • Application ID: Number of your application
      • Applicant: Name of the applicant (Individual, Group or Organization)
      • Funding opportunity (EN): Name of the funding opportunity in English
      • Funding opportunity (FR): Name of the funding opportunity in French
      • Status: Status of your application
      • Closed reason: When the application status is “Closed,” the reason for the closure (Withdrawn, Ineligible, Funded, Not funded) is displayed.
      • Date Submitted: Date your application was submitted
    • Grant Fact Sheet
      • Purpose: Purpose of the funding opportunity
      • Grant type: Grant type of the funding opportunity
      • Grant amount: Maximum eligible amount for the funding opportunity
      • Application limit: Maximum limit of applications per year
      • Deadline: Application submission deadline and notification of results
      • Third-party access: Third-party name and status of access
      • Related application(s) or funding award(s): List of related applications or funding awards
    • Checklist items
      • Your application screen also includes a checklist with a number of forms to complete (e.g., Account Information, Self-ID, Strategic Group Information, Applicant Profile, Application). The checklist items will differ based on the funding opportunity and the applicant type.
  2. To complete a form from the checklist:
    • Click the Complete button in the relevant row. The system displays the form. You will find relevant guidelines to help with completion directly within the form.
    • After completing a form, the system updates the status of the checklist item (from Not started to In progress or Completed). Once a checklist item has the Completed status, the Complete button for the next checklist item will be enabled and you will be able to complete the next form.
  3. When all forms have been completed, you will be able to submit your application.
    • Click the Submit button to proceed with submitting the application.

Additional information about the application budget

The Budget section of the Application Form includes:

  • Instructions to help you complete your budget
  • Guidelines with additional information about application limits, maximum amounts and eligible expenses

Steps to completing the Budget section of the Application Form

  1. Click the Complete budget button in the Budget section of your Application Form.
    • The system displays the Budget pop-up window.
  1. Complete the project’s budget in the Revenue and Expenses sections:
    • In the Public Sector Revenue section, the amount you enter in Canada Council for the Arts (request for this application) is your requested grant amount for this application.
    • You can navigate between the Revenue and Expenses tabs by selecting either tab.
    • You can enter numbers in’ the Initial amount ($) and notes in the Notes (max 255 characters) columns.
    • The Updated amount ($) column is not used during the application process.
    • The system auto-calculates your Total revenue and Total expenses in the Total budget section of the Budget pop-up windows. Your Total revenue must equal your Total expenses.
  2. Click the Save button to save your budget and continue completing your application.
  3. The system displays the Budget section of your Application Form. The Budget section now includes an additional field with your total amount requested.
  4. Click Save and Next to proceed to the next sections of your application form.

Note: The budget sections will differ based on the funding opportunity.

Important notes

There are some additional actions on the Application screen.

Help: If you need help, click the hyperlink in the Need help? section to navigate to the Help screen and log a case. 

Third-party access: Click the Add third-party access button to add a third party to your application. You will only be able to click the button when the application form is ready to start. Until then, the button will be disabled.

Cancel application: Click the Cancel application button to cancel your application.

Assessment criteria: Click the View assessment criteria button to open a pop-up window with the funding opportunity’s assessment criteria.

Access support: Click the Create a new Access Support request button to apply for a supplementary grant available for individual applicants who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness, as well as groups and organizations that dedicate the majority of their resources to supporting these communities.