Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP) - Questions and Answers - Calls for Proposals

Questions and Answers - Calls for Proposals

A. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM

1. What is the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program?

Effective April 1, 2006, the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP) was implemented. This program integrates the National Literacy Program (NLP), the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) Program and the Learning Initiatives Program (LIP) into a single cohesive program. This integrated program enhances HRSDC’s capacity to respond to the needs of its key partners and communities across Canada in the area of adult learning, literacy and essential skills.

2. What are the objectives of ALLESP?

The ALLESP objectives are:

to promote lifelong learning by reducing non-financial barriers to adult learning; and
to facilitate the creation of opportunities for Canadians to acquire the learning, literacy and essential skills they need to participate in a knowledge-based economy and society.

B. INFORMATION ON PROJECT FUNDING

1. What type of funding is available through the ALLESP?

Two types of funding are available from the ALLESP:

Contributions
Grants

If your application is successful, ALLESP officials will inform you as to what type of funding will apply to your project. The criteria used to make this decision are outlined below.

2. What is a contribution?

A contribution is a conditional transfer payment to an individual or organization for a specified purpose, the conditions of which must be defined in a contribution agreement.

3. What are the criteria for contribution funding?

The proposal must focus on adult learning, literacy and/or essential skills projects conducted in collaboration with other programs, federal departments or other levels of government

4. Who is eligible for contribution funding?

The following types of organizations may apply for contribution funding:

non-profit organizations;
professional associations;
all organizations of the voluntary sector;
provincial and territorial governments and their organizing bodies;
provincial and territorial institutions including Crown corporations;
universities, colleges and other educational and training bodies;
workplace organizations, including sector councils, unions and business associations;
international non-profit organizations (e.g. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development); and
municipalities.

5. What is a grant?

A grant is an unconditional transfer payment which is not subject to audits but for which eligibility and entitlement may be verified.

6. What are the criteria to be eligible for grant funding?

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

The funding requested must be below $350,000.
The proposal must focus on adult literacy or target adult literacy as part of a broader objective (e.g. the literacy component of a workforce learning program).
The applicant must be a member of the voluntary sector. See “How is the voluntary sector defined?” for a definition of what types of organizations the voluntary sector includes.
The applicant must have a positive track record with the Government of Canada or other funders in terms of financial stewardship and achievement of objectives. Where the applicant has no track record, a grant of no more than $25,000 may apply for an initial agreement.

7. Who is eligible for grant funding?

Voluntary sector organizations are the only eligible recipients.

8. What funding is available?

Where the recipient is not a government organization, total government assistance (federal, provincial and/or municipal) may not exceed 95% of eligible costs. Your organization must contribute at least 5% of the total project value in cash and/or in-kind. In fact, a significant investment by the recipient is encouraged and is a good indicator of commitment and confidence in the proposed initiative. Where the recipient is a provincial/territorial or municipal government, total government assistance may exceed 95% of eligible costs, but a recipient investment is always required. The maximum amount of funding available for each project is:

For contributions, up to $2,000,000 per year.
For grants, up to $350,000 per project.

The above are maximum values; typical project values may be lower.

9. When is the Call for Proposals?

The next call for proposals will be posted in August 2006.

10. What is the deadline for my application? How will I know when applications are being accepted?

Current application deadlines are available online from the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website at http://hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLESP.shtml .

11. What is the approval process?

Your application package must be complete in order for your proposal to move to the assessment stage. After the initial screening, eligible proposals are reviewed by committees composed of government and non-government experts.

Applications for project funding are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

applicant’s eligibility, capacity and experience;
relevancy to ALLESP objectives;
relevancy to identified priorities and needs, if applicable;
strategy and methodology for meeting program objectives;
overall quality of the proposal; and
budget (relevancy to activities proposed, fair market value, amount requested).

Following the review, final recommendations are made by the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada. All applicants are informed once the process is complete.

12. How can I get an application form?

Application forms are available online from the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website at http://hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLESP.shtml.

13. Where do I send my application?

Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Place du Portage
140, Promenade du Portage
Phase IV
Gatineau, QC
K1A OJ9

14. When will I know if my proposal has been approved?

Once a proposal is approved, an HRSD officer may contact the applicant to discuss any issues that may have been raised during the application review and approval process. Changes to the proposed project may be negotiated at this stage. This process is completed in a timely manner.

15. How is funding provided to successful applicants?

Funding will be provided to successful applicants through a grant or contribution agreement. This documentation, signed by the funding recipient and the appropriate government authority, identifies the provisions for funding and the rights and obligations of the signatories. Funding applicants must be able to enter into agreements with the Government of Canada under the terms of the applicable laws of the province or territory in which they operate. If your organization is located in the province of Quebec you may need to take into account the provisions of Chapter M-30 of the Revised Statutes of Quebec.

16. The application deadline has passed; can I still submit my application?

Once the deadline has passed, applications are no longer considered for the current round of funding. Please continue to check our website regularly for information on the next call for proposals in your province or territory.

For more information on ALLESP, visit the Human Resources and Social Development Canada at http://hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLESP.shtml

17. Why has there been a delay in posting the calls proposals this year?

In past years, the calls for proposals were posted early in the calendar year. This year, due to the suspension of operations during the election period and the approval of new program terms and conditions in March 2006, the national and local/regional calls for proposals will take place in August 2006.

C. National Call for Proposals

1. What types of National projects are eligible for funding under ALLESP?

As part of the transition, this year the ALLESP will focus its National Call for Proposals on literacy and essential skills in the following areas:

The Business-Labour Partnerships and Workplace Literacy National Call for Proposals
The Adult Learning and Literacy Research National Call for Proposals
The Integrating Literacy National Call for Proposals

Under this call for proposals, the ALLESP will provide funding for the four types of adult learning, literacy and essential skills initiatives at the national level:

Building Capacity
Research and Knowledge
Innovation
Promotion and Awareness

2. What happens after a proposal is approved?

Once a proposal is approved, an HRSD officer contacts the applicant to negotiate an Agreement. At that time, any concerns that may have been raised during the application review and approval process will be discussed with the applicant and changes may be negotiated.

3. How is funding provided to successful applicants?

Funding will be provided to successful applicants by means of the grant or contribution Agreement. This document, signed by the funding recipient and the appropriate government authority, identifies the conditions of the agreement and the rights and obligations of all signatories. Funding applicants must be able to enter into agreements with the Government of Canada under the terms of the applicable laws of the province or territory in which they operate. If your organization is located in the province of Quebec you may need to take into account the provisions of Chapter M-30 of the Revised Statutes of Quebec.

4. Who is eligible for funding?

An organization or groups proposing initiatives with national impact, regardless of whether they are national, regional or local in scope.

5. How do I apply to the National Call for Proposals?

Applications for call of proposals as well as the application guidelines are available online from the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website at http://hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLESP.shtml. Specific guidelines have been identified for each initiative.

D. Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach Initiative Call for Proposals

1. What types of Outreach initiatives are eligible for funding under the ALLES Program?

The Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Outreach Initiative supports community-based organizations in the development and delivery of projects which aim at reaching those at risk of not receiving the Canada Learning Bond, the Canada Education Savings Grant and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan benefits to which they are entitled, and raises awareness of the advantages of saving early for children’s post-secondary education through a Registered Education Savings Plan.

2. Who is eligible for funding through the call for proposals?

To be eligible, applicants must be provincial/territorial, regional or national or umbrella non-profit organizations registered charitable organizations; and all local enablers must be non-profit or registered charitable organizations.

Proposals submitted by entities other than provincial/territorial, regional or national organizations or umbrella groups will not be considered.

3. What is the maximum amount of funding available?

The maximum amount of contribution funding available for each project is $812,000 over a period of three years. Funding is provided on a cost-shared basis. The Government of Canada provides up to 75% of total eligible project expenses. Your organization must contribute at least 25% of the total project value in cash and/or in-kind.