Contributions Program 2006-2007

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has officially launched its third annual Contributions Program, which will capitalize on existing research capacity in academic, not-for-profit and other sectors to generate new knowledge and to support the development of expertise in selected areas of privacy and data protection.

Under this year's Program, the OPC hopes to encourage the development of a national privacy research capacity that will increase awareness and understanding among individuals and organizations of their privacy rights and obligations. We also hope to foster an understanding of the social value of privacy to address emerging issues and opportunities.

There are five priorities for this Program for which we are encouraging the submission of research proposals:

• The protection of personal health information
• Strategies for making individuals more aware of their privacy rights. Do we need more consumer friendly privacy policies? Do organizations need to do a better job of disseminating their policies?
• The professionalization of privacy specialists—what requirements or standards exist and what processes are in place to accredit and certify these individuals?
• The storage and retention of personal information—the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act requires that information only be retained as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purposes. What does this mean in practical terms and how should this requirement be assessed?
• Aspects of surveillance:
• New technologies:  what does the public comprehend about the collection, use, and transmission of personal data generated from new technology? 
• What use is made of transactional data generated by retail transactions,  telecommunications devices, or video surveillance? 
• Workplace surveillance
• The tracking of individuals’ interactions with the Internet

The Office will also consider requests to fund research on issues that fall outside the priority areas.

Organizations that are eligible for funding under the Program include not-for profit organizations, including education institution and industry and trade associations, as well as consumer, voluntary and advocacy organizations.

The maximum amount that can be awarded for any single research project is $50,000. Organizations are eligible to receive funding for only one project.

Projects must be completed within the fiscal year in which the funding was provided. The deadline to submit applications is May 5, 2006.

Links to the projects completed under the previous Contributions Programs are available on the OPC Web site at: www.privcom.gc.ca/information/cp/2004-2005/cp_project_e.asp

• For more information, consult our Applicant's Guide. (Print format in PDF)
• Application Form (Print format in PDF).
• Schedule B (Print format in PDF).
• Schedule C (Print format in PDF).
• View our news release officially launching the Contributions Program.