Canadian Government Sectoral Initiatives Program 2021 ($2,500,000 grant)

Application Deadline:March 4, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST

The Sectoral Initiatives Program (SIP) is a grants and contributions program, which helps key sectors of the economy. The SIP supports sectors in identifying, forecasting and addressing their human resources and skills issues. The Program provides funding to stakeholders to develop and distribute:

• sector-specific labour market intelligence
• national occupational standards
• skills certification and accreditation systems
• new workforce development methods and solutions

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $2,500,000 (per project, per year). We will fund projects that identify, forecast and address sectoral or cross-sectoral human resources and skills development needs.

Projects must be a maximum of 36 months.

Objectives

This funding supports projects that focus on one or more of the following objectives:

• develop and implement sector-based solutions to address the workforce challenges and needs of Canadian workers and employers
• address specific workforce needs in support of economic recovery for a specific sector or across sectors

Project activities must align with one or more of the following categories:

• sectoral labour market intelligence and tools
• sectoral training and worker transition solutions
• solutions for employers

Eligibility

• To apply, you must meet all the following eligibility criteria:

Eligible applicants

• Your organization must be one of the following:
  • not-for-profit organization
  • for-profit organization provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial and does not generate profit
  • municipal government
  • Indigenous organization including:
    • band council
    • tribal council
    • self-government entity
  • provincial and territorial government, institution, agency or Crown Corporation

Note to organizations located and operating in Québec

If we accept your proposed project, you will need to get approval from the Quebec government before you can accept our funding.

Consult the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif

Eligible projects

• Your project must meet all of the following criteria:
  • be no longer than 36 months
  • request no more than $2,500,000 per year, per project
  • have contributions from sources other than ESDC:
    • cash or in-kind
    • equal to or more than 10% of your total project costs
  • secure at least one partner

How we assess your application

We will assess your application based on the following criteria:

Organization’s capacity

• Demonstrate that your organization has the knowledge of the specific skills issues in your sector (or across multiple sectors) required for this project
• Describe your current partnerships at the national, provincial, and regional levels (including cross-sectoral partners) that would demonstrate your ability to carry out this project

Project objectives

• Describe the needs or issues within a specific sector (or across sectors) that your project will address
• Demonstrate how your project will achieve at least one of the following objectives:
  • develop and implement sector-based solutions to address the workforce challenges of Canadian workers and employers
  • address specific workforce needs in support of economic recovery for a specific sector or across sectors

Project activities

• Describe how your project’s activities align with one or more of the following categories:
  • sectoral labour market intelligence and tools
  • sectoral training and worker transition
  • solutions for employers
• Provide clear and relevant description of the project activities
• Provide clear and feasible timelines to complete the project activities
• Describe how the partner(s) will be involved in this project

Project results

• Describe how the sector(s) will benefit from the project
• Describe the expected results of your project. They must be specific, concrete and measurable
• List the indicators that you will use to measure the progress towards your project results
• Describe how you plan to gather, measure and report on results achieved by your project

Project costs

• Provide a brief and clear justification of how you intend to use the money
• Demonstrate that the costs are reasonable and support the project activities

Additional funding considerations

We will consider the following to select a diverse range of projects to fund:

• focus on supporting underrepresented groups, such as:
  • persons with disabilities
  • Indigenous peoples
  • visible minorities
  • women
  • youth
  • newcomers
• focus on projects in key sectors of the economy, including:
  • agriculture and food processing
  • construction
  • information and communication technology
  • health
  • manufacturing
  • natural resources and environment
  • tourism and hospitality
  • transportation
  • sector(s) not listed above that have pressing workforce needs due to COVID-19 and/or can contribute to economic recovery

Steps to apply

Gather your supporting documents and information

Decide how to apply (online, email or mail)

Gather your supporting documents and information

• Completed application form
• Letter(s) confirming partnership
• Budget detail template

Decide how to apply

Apply online

1. Create your GCOS account. It may take up to 10 business days to create your account
2. Read the applicant guide to complete your application form. This guide includes details for each question of the form
3. Complete the budget detail template (PDF Format) and upload it in GCOS
4. Apply online using GCOS

Apply by email or mail

1. Read the applicant guide to complete your application form. This guide includes details for each question of the form
2. Complete the Application form online or by hand
3. Complete the budget detail template (PDF Format)
4. Send your complete your application package by email or by mail to:
   • NC-DGOP-POB-PAIS-SIP-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
   • Mailing address:
     Sectoral Initiatives Program
     Coordination Unit Mailstop 402
     National Grants & Contributions Delivery Centre (ESDC)
     140 Promenade du Portage Phase IV 4th Floor
     Gatineau QC K1A 0J9

Note: If you cannot email the documents, you can send them by mail to the address above. In your email, tell us if you are sending other documents by mail.

After you’ve applied

We will review your application and decide if you will receive funding.

We expect to make funding decisions in summer 2021.

Online

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt.

By email

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt by email.

By mail

You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email within 21 calendar days.

Contact

If you have questions, email us at NC-DGOP-POB-PAIS-SIP-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
We will answer questions sent before March 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm EST.

Official Website: Sectoral Initiatives Program