How to Apply for Canadian Government Grants
The Canadian government offers a multitude of grants each year to businesses, organizations and individuals in an effort to improve the Canadian economy, increase employment and encourage innovation. Though Canadian government grants are largely unadvertised, any Canadian business or individual who seeks them out and meets the eligibility requirements can apply for one. If you're a small business, organization, artist, student or inventor, applying for a Canadian government grant could give you the funds you need to complete a project or improve your business.
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Instructions
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Find available grants. There are several directories available online to search for Canadian grants, though some directories may require a small fee to access them. For example, the Canadian Assistance Programs Directory is a useful guide that offers comprehensive information on several government grants and loans in Canada.
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Meet eligibility criteria for the grant. Most Canadian government grants are tailored for small family businesses or people who are self employed. There are also government grants available for students, artists and innovators. Read the eligibility criteria on the government website or the grant directory for each grant carefully to make sure you meet all the requirements to apply.
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Follow guidelines. The guidelines for each grant vary, so read them carefully and follow all directions thoroughly. All Canadian government grants require the applicant to be at least 18 years of age and a Canadian citizen. You may also be required to gather supporting documents to submit with your application, such as proof of citizenship or business documents.
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Fill out the application. Some grants might have multiple applications and forms, so make sure you've collected all the necessary information and filled out all required documents.
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Write a proposal. Most government grants will require you to write a proposal that outlines the reasons why you should receive government funding. You must also provide a line-by-line budget detailing how you will use the grant money.
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Submit the application (or applications) and proposal. Grant applications are usually submitted by mail to the main office of the grant organization, and the address is usually listed on the application form or the organization's website. Occasionally, organizations will require applications and proposals to be sent by email, so make sure to check the guidelines before submitting.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid applying for grants for which you are not eligible. Government grants are usually very competitive, and so any applications that do not follow the guidelines are usually rejected.
If you have any questions about a particular grant or application process, you can usually find a phone number listed on the website or grant directory to call and request more information.
Visit the office of the division that is offering the grant to ask questions before applying for funding, if possible. You may acquire valuable information about the grant and the application process.
The grant proposal is the most important part of the grant application, and is often the deciding factor whether or not you will be awarded funding. Consider hiring an experienced grant writer to write your proposal.
Wait a few weeks for your application to be processed. Grant applications take, on average, six to eight weeks to process.
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