CanCode 4.0 Applicant Guide

How to apply

Applications must be submitted electronically to the CanCode general inbox. An acknowledgment e-mail confirming receipt of an application will be sent.

Deadline to apply

The deadline for submission for all documents via the CanCode generic inbox is September 16, 2024 (11:59 PM, Pacific Time).

What to submit?

When submitting your application, please include the following documents:

• CanCode Application form ( PDF , 215 KB )
• Quantitative data workbook ( XLSX , 244 KB )
• Proof of Incorporation as a not-for-profit organization in Canada
• Financial statements for the last two years
• Signed Attestation form

Organizations located and operating in the province of Québec

If your proposed project is accepted, you may need to get approval from the Government of Québec before you can accept funding.

• Consult the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif
• Consult the approval and authorization process.
• Consult : "Which agencies are covered by Act M-30?"

Contact information

This Applicant guide was developed to assist in the completion of the Application form and the Quantitative data workbook. If you have further questions, we invite you to check the Frequently asked questions. For general questions and comments, please contact the CanCode team. Please note that the Department of Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada will not be assisting applicants in the development of their applications.

Telephone (toll-free in Canada):

1-800-328-6189

Telephone (Ottawa):

613-954-5031

Fax:

343-291-1913

TTY (for hearing-impaired):

1-866-694-8389

By email:

cancode-codecan@ised-isde.gc.ca

By mail:

CanCode Program
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street, 1st floor, West Tower
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
Canada

Digital skills

Digital skills are skills needed to engage with computers and the internet. CanCode is designed to provide students (kindergarten to grade 12) the abilities to develop digital skills, including coding, data analytics, digital content development, and artificial intelligence with the intention of moving youth from passive consumers of digital content to active creators of digital technology and content.

Traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM

CanCode is focusing on the underrepresented groups identified below:

• Girls (including those identifying as girls)
• Youth with disabilities
• Black youth
• Indigenous youth
• Youth residing in rural and remote^{Footnote *} areas including the North^{Footnote **}

Eligibility criteria

Eligible recipients must clearly outline how their proposal's activities will meet the objectives and expected results of CanCode.

• Eligible recipients are not-for-profit organizations,^{Footnote *} which are incorporated in Canada, undertaking activities. Proof of incorporation such as a business number, article of incorporation and/or charitable registration number is required.

Your application must clearly demonstrate that:

• All required documents are submitted:
  • CanCode Application form ( PDF , 215 KB )
  • Quantitative data workbook ( XLSX , 244 KB )
  • Financial statements
  • Proof of not-for-profit status of organization
• Your organization has a minimum of 3 consecutive years experience in the delivery of coding and digital skills initiatives at the time of application for funding with a proven track record of success. For returning recipients, past results will be taken into consideration;
• The proposed initiative will be delivered at no cost to participants (i.e. no participant user fees);
• Your organization will have the resource capacity and expertise with program funding, either internally or through partnerships, to successfully deliver the proposed initiative within the program time frame ending March 31, 2026, and agree to accurately measure and report on success quarterly;
• Your organization's mission, mandate, and/or purpose are aligned with the program.

Merit criteria

Merit criteria will be used to establish a priority ranking of eligible applicants. The following criteria will be taken into consideration:

Underrepresented groups

• Greater weight will be given to applicants that can demonstrate that they are focusing on reaching traditionally underrepresented groups including, girls, Indigenous youth, Black youth, youth with disabilities, youth living in rural/remote locations including Northern locations, along with teachers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Special emphasis will be given to applicants who plan to teach responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI), where they will receive extra weight in the evaluation process.

Pivot plan in case of reduced funding from what is being initially asked for

• Description of how the organization would pivot or adjust its project plan and activities in the event that they receive less funding from ISED than is being requested, including any prioritization strategies.

Organization overview

• The organization's history, purpose, directors, memberships, activities, and experience. Please also describe the stability of the governing body and turnaround of staff in the organization.
• Financial statements for the last two years to support the application for funding and to assess the organization's financial viability. Audited financial statements are strongly encouraged and will be given priority consideration.

Funding history and previous performance

• The organization's past and current funding history with ISED.

Capacity and qualifications

• The organization's capacity to undertake and successfully complete the project, including the qualifications of key stakeholders carrying out the proposed activities.

Project description and location

• Description of the proposed project, including location(s), work plan, budget, schedule, project benefits/results, and all information deemed necessary to assess the application.

Risk management

• Identification of project risks and proposed mitigation measures.

  Examples of risk and mitigation strategy:

  • Risk: Equipment and infrastructure challenge – not enough equipment/no internet.
  • Mitigation: provide laptops or tablets for use during coding sessions, offer offline coding activities, partner with local libraries/community centers/schools to access their computer labs.

Project contributors and partners

• The organization's project contributors and/or partners, including their roles and resources in support of the project.

Legal compliance

• Representation that the organization is in good standing with regard to all federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal laws and regulations.

Government assistance

• The amount of any federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal assistance received or likely to be received for the project.

Inclusivity

• The organization's plan and capacity to deliver to underrepresented groups.

Application evaluation review and method process

The review and assessment of applications to assess their quality and completeness includes:

Gate 1 – Pre-screening of applications

• The pre-screening process is an initial evaluation step conducted by the CanCode program to assess the eligibility and suitability of project proposals submitted by potential applicants. During the pre-screening phase, applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the Eligibility criteria as described above.
• Those who do not meet the Eligibility criteria will be advised via email that their application will not be chosen for this iteration of CanCode.

Gate 2 – Full evaluation of applications

• Based on the pre-screened applications, the full evaluation process will identify the strengths and the weaknesses of each application. Each applications will be assessed by at least 2 reviewers, with additional reviewers engaged where warranted due to the complexity of the applications.
• Eligible applications will be evaluated using a principles-based approach against the following criteria:
  • All applications will be assessed through a competitive process against the program's Eligibility criteria and Merit criteria. ISED will select proposals for funding that optimize program objectives and ensure equitable access to services across Canada for eligible participants
  • Applicants must clearly demonstrate the extent to which the proposed project meets all criteria when completing the application
  • The strongest applications will be those that clearly explain how the proposed project will meet the eligibility and merit criteria as opposed to those that simply state a criterion will be met
  • ISED reserves the right to remove from consideration those applications deemed to be incomplete

Quantitative data workbook

The Quantitative data workbook is a document that outlines the proposed project's budget.

The budget must meet the following requirements:

• All requested funding must be for eligible costs of the CanCode Program
• Requested funding must be reasonable and necessary to ensure the successful completion of the proposed project and achievement of project objectives
• Requested funding must not exceed $3 million per fiscal year per stream in ISED funding
• Each fiscal year of requested funding must be detailed separately
• The proposed budget must identify in-kind contributions, other government funding, and all other sources of funding, including partners and other project contributors
• Eligible in-kind contributions must be included in the calculation of the total project cost. To be eligible, in-kind contributions must be for goods or services that are both eligible under the program and necessary to deliver the project. In-kind contributions must be detailed in the application but will not be reimbursed by ISED

Anticipated training locations

Applicants are requested to provide specific information when identifying training locations. Please indicate the proposed locations for training sessions across Canada, including the province city and specific addresses. CanCode aims to have training sessions in all provinces and territories to ensure comprehensive coverage. This will help achieve a diverse geographical distribution of training locations and maximize the program's impact and reach. Additionally, applicants should consider the accessibility of proposed locations for the target audience and the availability of necessary resources, including how they will reach traditionally underrepresented groups in these areas.

Stream 1 – Students training

• The development and delivery of interactive training and skills development initiatives for students (kindergarten to grade 12) to develop digital skills, coding, and related concepts, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digital content creation.

Stream 2 – Teachers training

• The development and delivery of interactive training and professional development initiatives for teachers to acquire the skills and confidence to introduce digital skills, coding, and related concepts, including AI and digital content creation into the classroom.
• The development of educational resources to support and enhance digital skills and coding learning initiatives and teacher training and development initiatives.

Funding amount and payments

Funding through the CanCode program will be given as non-repayable contributions. The amount given will be decided by the Ministers based on the minimum support needed to meet the program's goals.

Provisions on requirements for document retention will be detailed in contribution agreements.

Timing and methods of payments

• Expenditures eligible for federal reimbursement are subject to the date of the last signature fully executing a contribution agreement. Expenditures incurred prior to full execution of an agreement, as well as any expenditure related to contracts signed before the agreement, are ineligible for reimbursement.
• The Minister may approve payments to cover eligible costs retroactive from the date of the departmental signature to no earlier than the Minister's conditional approval date.
  • Where an application is conditionally approved to receive funding, expenditures from the date of conditional approval may be eligible for reimbursement, subject to full execution of a contribution agreement. If a contribution agreement is not signed, ISED will not reimburse any costs incurred.
• Payments to recipients can be made in one of the following forms:
  • Payments based on documented claims for reasonable eligible costs incurred, submitted by the recipient not more frequently than quarterly
  • Advance payments based on recipients' quarterly cash flow requirements provided to the Minister or as requested by ISED. Recipients must provide evidence satisfactory to the Minister that all eligible expenditures have been incurred and paid for each fiscal year, as requested by the Department
• Quarterly: Each claim must be accompanied by a progress report detailing the work completed (as per program performance indicators), along with documentation of all costs claimed, in a form satisfactory to the Minister. The report should cover progress made on relevant project milestones and activities, and all claims must be certified by an authorized officer of the recipient. The Minister may request satisfactory evidence at any time to demonstrate that all eligible costs claimed have been paid.
• Before reimbursing final payments of an agreement, the Minister may withhold an amount from the total eligible costs claimed at any point in time until all required documentation has been received. The percentage of the holdback will be determined based on the amounts of the Contribution set out in the Project Budget and the current Assessment of Risk.

Maximum contributions and stacking limits

CanCode proposal applications may include funding from other federal departments and/or agencies, other orders of government, private sector or not-for-profit partners. However, the total funding from all government sources (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of eligible costs.

Monitoring, guidance and support

ISED will work with the recipient to monitor the project's progress to date and offer guidance on relevant policies. This may include periodic attendance at meetings/classes as an observer. Regular and frequent contact will facilitate the sharing of information between parties to the contribution agreement.

Instructor representation

Outside of provincial schools, we encourage there to be representation from the underrepresented groups being instructed in the room during instruction. This means that while not all mentors or teachers need to be Black, Indigenous, or have a disability, there must be individuals from these communities present in the teaching environment. This ensures that youth have someone they can identify with. Identify in your application how this will be achieved.

Official languages

The CanCode program's call for proposals and its related funding decisions will be announced to the public in both official languages in accordance with the Official Languages Act. Other products and services related to the CanCode, including website and reference material, templates, and assistance to applicants and recipients, will also be available in both official languages.

Any nation-wide communications or announcements aimed at the general public will be provided in both official languages. Additional official languages requirements will be determined on a case by case basis.

Lobbying Act

Recipients must comply with the Lobbying Act throughout the application process and the life of any CanCode-funded project. Prior to communicating about an application, please review the provisions of the Act. For more information on lobbying and the Lobbying Act, consult the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada.