Learning Initiatves Program - Grants and Contributions

Program Description

The overarching objective is to promote a lifelong learning culture in Canada by encouraging and supporting partnership initiatives that will contribute to the development of a more results-oriented, accessible, relevant and accountable learning system.

Sub-Objectives

Program Updates

The Learning Initiatives Program held its first call for proposals in summer 2001 and, as a result, received 69 proposals from a wide range of learning stakeholders from across Canada. All proposals were evaluated against program criteria and priorities under an objective selection process, which included an internal HRDC review committee. The final proposal selections were made not only on the basis of their own quality and merit, but also in relation to the quality and merit of other submissions.  

The following are summaries of the six projects approved under the 2001-02 Learning Initiatives Program call for proposals.  They have now been completed.

Development of a National Academic Record and Transcript Guide for Use in Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions– Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC).
This project developed a bilingual national academic record and transcript guide to assist post-secondary institutions, such as universities and colleges, across Canada in providing transcript information in a standard manner that would facilitate and enhance the national transferability of learning.   A report entitled “National Transcript for Use in Canadian Postsecondary Institutions” was completed in both languages and is available online at http://arucctranscriptguide.homeunix.org:8080/files/home/Reportv2.5.pdf.

Preparing the Future of Canada's Lifelong Learning Sector in the Area of Higher- Level Essential Skills for Employability - Canadian Alliance of Education and Training Organizations (CAETO).
A report entitled “Preparing for the Future: Identifying Advanced Essential Skills Needs in Canada” gives lifelong learning providers the information needed in order to identify and develop new and upgraded programs to ensure that higher-level essential skills training needs of their clients are met in the years to come.The report is available online in both official languages at http://www.caeto.ca/reports/AdvSkillsRptENMay9.pdf.

Apprentissage Adulte, Universités et Accessibilité: Tendences, Indicateurs et Pratiques Exemplaires- Association canadienne d'éducation des adultes des universités de langue française (ACDEAULF).
The project involved a series of activities to disseminate information on best practices in adult learning at universities as well as consultations between adult learning experts.  The Association’s website, www.acdeaulf.ca, includes documentation gathered through this project on the subject of adult learning.

Impact Evaluation Study of the PLA Centre's Learning Portfolio Programs- Adult Learners' Advising and Assessment Centre Association (ALAACA).
This project summarized and reflected upon the experience of the Halifax Prior Learning Assessment Centre (PLA Centre) as an innovative, collaborative, multi-sectoral learning initiative since its inception in 1996. The report identifies five key factors that have been crucial to its success and impact; Timing, Approach, Collaboration, Leadership Training and Capacity Building and Investment.  The report can be located on the PLA Centre website:  http://www.placentre.ns.ca/corporate/res.php

Pan-Canadian Pathways Project - Athasbasca University.
This project further developed, in conjunction with partner colleges across Canada, a Human Services model for customizing Block Credit Transfer, course transfer and prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR), in order to produce new, innovative and flexible pathways to undergraduate degree completion for practitioners in the Human Services field.  Reports and presentations can be found at the following website: http://pathways.athabascau.ca/.

Learning for Life - College of New Coledonia.
Research was completed on best practices, experiences and outcomes of existing distance education post-secondary education programs in remote Aboriginal communities throughout Canada. A publication entitled “Distance Education in Remote Aboriginal Communities: barriers, learning styles and best practices” was finalized and is available from The College of New Caledonia at http://www.cnc.bc.ca/mackenzie/PDF/DistanceEducationinRemoteAboriginalCommunities.pdf.

How does it work?

The Learning Initiatives Program is a contributions program. Unlike grants, contributions are conditional transfer payments to an individual or organization for a specified purpose, the conditions of which must be defined in a contribution agreement. The contribution is subject to being accounted for and audited.

Duration

Projects must be of finite duration (not regular or ongoing).

Financial Parameters

• Funding may not exceed $300,000 per year.
• Funding may be provided for project-related expenses such as salaries, direct project operating costs and eligible expenses negotiated with a program official. Costs must be project-related and incurred only during the contribution agreement period.
• The Government of Canada cannot pay in excess of 75% of actual eligible project expenses.
• Capital costs are ineligible under the Learning Initiatives Program.

Who can Apply?

The Learning Initiatives Program is intended to support a broad range of stakeholders with an interest in learning, such as:

• non-profit organizations and registered non-profit charitable organizations;
• education and training bodies; post-secondary institutions that are recognized by the Department of Education of a province/territory; and
• international, national, provincial/territorial and municipal bodies.

How to Apply?

Thank you for your interest in the Learning Initiatives Program. Please note that proposals are only received through a call for proposals process.  The most recent call for proposals, the Learner Supports Project, closed May 17, 2004.

For information on HRSDC's current areas of priority in lifelong learning, and on eligible project activities see Details.

For further information, please contact us at the following address:

Fax: (819) 953-8147

Mail:
Director, Learning Strategies and Support
Learning and Literacy Directorate
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Place du Portage
140 Promenade due Portage
Phase IV
Gatineau, Québec
K1A 0J9
Canada