How to use this Guide:

This guide has been prepared to help you to assess the eligibility of your project ideas for funding under the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program, and to assist you in developing project proposals. Please read the guide before beginning your proposal.

If you would like to discuss your project idea or need information not included in this guide, please contact us.

What is the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program?

Transport Canada created the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program to promote awareness of sustainable transportation issues and the development of new tools and approaches to encourage concrete action by Canadians.  

The primary objectives of the MOST program are to: 

• stimulate the development of innovative tools, approaches and practices for increasing the sustainability of Canada’s transportation system; 
• realize quantifiable environmental and sustainable development results on Transport Canada’s sustainable development priorities; and,
• provide Canadians with practical information and tools for better applying sustainable transportation thinking to their daily lives.

 
The MOST program will allocate approximately two and a half million dollars, over a five-year period (fiscal year 2002 to fiscal year 2007) to promote these sustainable transportation objectives.  

What funding is available?

The MOST program will fund projects:

• to a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible costs (cash or in-kind); and,
• to a maximum of $100,000 over a two-year period.

What projects are eligible?

The following five criteria must be met for projects to be eligible for program funding:

1.  Address at least one of the following MOST program categories:  

1. Conduct studies or analyses that contribute to a greater understanding of sustainable transportation issues; 
2. Develop innovative sustainable transportation tools or practices; 
3. Undertake demonstration pilot projects that test new sustainable transportation approaches or alternatives; 
4. Conduct workshops, strategy sessions or seminars that bring people together in support of new sustainable transportation ideas or approaches; or,
5. Deliver education and outreach programs that inform the Canadian public about a sustainable transportation activity.  

2.  Target the Canadian Public  

Proposals must target the Canadian public including, but not limited to, the general public, the transportation sector, youth, municipalities, First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples, and educators. 

3.  Shared Funding through Partnerships  

The proposal must obtain a minimum of 50 per cent of resources (cash and/or in-kind* from sources other than the Government of Canada, so that the federal contribution does not exceed 50 per cent (cash and/or in-kind). 

* Note:  Proposals with a combination of in-kind and cash support will be viewed more favorably than those with only in-kind support.

4.  Demonstrate Quantifiable Results:

Proposals must contain quantifiable sustainable transportation targets and performance indicators to measure and report on the environmental and sustainable development impacts expected as a result of the project.  Each proposed target must have an associated performance indicator.  Qualitative targets and performance indicators can complement the quantifiable ones.

A target is one of the objectives of your project.  A performance indicator will help determine whether you met this target.  Examples of quantifiable targets and performance indicators are listed in the chart below: 

5.  Sharing Results and Program Materials:

Proposals must contain a detailed communication plan for the dissemination of any project-related materials or results that will serve to further the program’s objective of providing Canadians with practical information and tools for better applying sustainable transportation thinking to their daily lives.

The communication plan must include the following details:

• method of dissemination (e.g.  Internet, mail-outs, newspaper advertisement, workshops, etc.);
• if the Internet is the main method for sharing information how will the web site be promoted;
• expected target audience; and,
• expected reach (e.g.  number of:  web site users, recipients of mail-out materials, participants at a workshop, etc.).

What organizations are eligible?

• not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• community organizations (voluntary groups, community associations, and institutions)
• organizations and associations for First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples;
• educational and academic institutions;
• labour organizations; and,
• businesses and industries and their professional associations - for projects that are non-profit in nature and are not tied to a company’s line of business.

* Please note that individuals, governments and political organizations are not eligible to apply for program funding or to be designated as lead proponents.  Ineligible proponents are, however, encouraged to partner with and support eligible organizations in submitting proposals to the MOST program.

Are multi-year projects eligible? 

Requests for multi-year support will be accepted up to a maximum of two years.  Proposals should clearly identify key work-plan activities and timelines and include a detailed cash-flow projection for each year of the project.

What projects are not eligible? 

• Projects that do not have a primary focus on sustainable transportation issues;
• Projects which are for-profit in nature, or which are tied to a company’s line of business;
• Projects where the benefit does not accrue to Canadians; and,
• Regular activities of the organization (e.g. general meetings, conferences), the group’s overall program, or where parties redirect projects already funded into MOST program proposals in order to free up resources for other purposes.

What expenses are eligible?

The recipient will be required to enter into a contribution agreement which will include a detailed listing of the eligible costs.  Eligible costs means all costs, fees and expenditures that would be incurred or paid by the recipient to carry out the project, as listed below.

Costs eligible for reimbursement from MOST funds include:

• travel;
• personnel and benefits;
• professional services (consultants for studies, designs, marketing, software and web site development);
• rental of equipment;
• purchase of equipment, software, hardware and other fixed assets;
• public outreach and communication materials and activities;
• Provincial Sales Tax and the Goods and Services Tax for which the recipient is not eligible for a tax rebate; and,
• administrative costs to a maximum of 15 per cent of the MOST funding request (including rental of office space, printing, telephone, office supplies, etc.).

In-kind contributions

In-kind contributions are contributions by recipient or partners of the recipient, of goods, services or fixed assets that, if not contributed, would normally be purchased and paid for by the proponent.  These may include but are not limited to:

• use of equipment, materials and/or office space/meeting space;
• time for project activities, coordination, and professional services; and,
• discounts on purchased items or services.

Where in-kind contributions are proposed by the proponent, these must be approved by Transport Canada and will be defined in the contribution agreement.  In-kind contributions to a maximum of 50 percent of the total project costs are eligible to make up the leveraging requirement, but preference will be given to proposals with a combination of cash and in-kind support.  In-kind advisory committee services are only eligible up to 15% of the MOST funding request.  For example, if the MOST funding request is $100,000 then a maximum of $15,000 in-kind support can be leveraged for advisory committee services.

What expenses are not eligible? 

The following costs are not eligible for funding:

• developing a proposal;
• expenses incurred prior to the approval of an application;
• core funding for existing programs;
• administrative expenses exceeding 15 per cent of the MOST funding request (rental of office space, printing, telephone, office supplies, etc.);
• purchase of land;
• Provincial Sales Tax and the Goods and Services Tax for which the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate and other costs eligible for rebates;
• interest on loans; and,
• profits.

How will eligible proposals be evaluated?

If a project meets the mandatory eligibility criteria, the following evaluation criteria will be used to assess the relative strength of each proposal.  

Other Criteria

In its overall selection, the MOST advisory committee will give consideration to the following (in addition to the above-described criteria) to ensure an assortment of initiatives are funded which produce results supportive of program objectives:

• regional balance;
• variety of initiatives; and, 
• balance among projects which are innovative and those which enhance existing initiatives.

When is the deadline for applications?

* Projects funded in this round can only be 1 1/2 years in length (final reporting must be completed before March 31, 2007)

** Projects funded in this round can only be 1 year in length (final reporting must be completed before March 31, 2007)

A proposal may be submitted any time during a submission period.  To be considered, your final proposal must be postmarked by the date of the application deadline.

What is the review and approval process?

Proposals will initially be screened against the eligibility criteria.  If a proposal meets the criteria, it will be sent for review and evaluation by an independent multi-stakeholder advisory committee, where proposals will be assessed against the evaluation criteria.  Recommendations for approval of funds will be made on a consensus basis.  Final decision-making authority rests with the Director General of Environmental Affairs, Transport Canada. 

Before a proposal is sent to the advisory committee, the program officers may seek input from others, such as federal, provincial/territorial and municipal government agencies, to evaluate the proposal’s technical and overall merit.  All proposal information will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.  

You will be notified of the funding decision with respect to your project approximately three months after the closing date for each submission period.  (See the table above "What is the deadline for applications?".) 

Proposals not accepted may be re-submitted for reconsideration in a subsequent submission period. 

All projects must pass through these stages of evaluation before a decision will be given to an applicant.  Every effort is made to expedite this process, but please do not depend on an early decision in order to proceed with a project.  

How is funding for projects arranged?

When proposals are approved, Contribution Agreements with the Government of Canada are sent to the successful applicant outlining the project and financial reporting requirements. 

Successful applicants are required to account for all expenditures and revenues.  Both receipts and invoices must be kept on file.  Reimbursement from the MOST program will be based on actual project expenditures.  If final expenditures are less than originally estimated, the contribution from the program may be adjusted accordingly.  For example, if project costs are estimated to be $90,000 and the funding commitment is $30,000 (one-third) from the MOST program, but total eligible expenditures amount to only $60,000, the contribution from the program may be amended to only $20,000, one-third of the eligible costs. 

Similarly, reimbursement from the MOST program will be based on the actual leveraged funding (from sources other than the program) achieved for the project.  For example, project costs are estimated to be  $100,000.  The  proposal indicates that 50 per cent of the cost will come from sources other than the program, and the funding request from the MOST program is for the other 50 per cent ($50,000).  However, some of the funding partners cancel their participation, so that leveraged funding achieved is only $30,000 (30 per cent).  Funding provided by the program would be reduced to $30,000 (50 per cent of the project’s funding). 

Overpayments are subject to recovery and must be repaid to the Receiver General of Canada.  

Are there any reporting requirements?  

Recipients will be required to submit two reports for multi-year projects:

1. a mid-term report; and,
2. a final report.

Projects that are one year or less are only required to submit a final report.

Instructions on project reporting will be provided to the recipients to help them meet the reporting requirements. 

It should be noted that, in order to ensure that funds are spent for intended purposes, all approved projects are subject to audit. 

How should I submit my proposal?  

To propose your project idea, you will need to complete the Project Submission Form.  

When submitting your proposal, please provide the following:

• Hard copies of the submission form and proposal  (A signature is required.);
• An electronic version (by e-mail or on diskette) of your proposal and submission form; and,
• Letters from other funding sources confirming cash and in-kind contributions.  Any letters of confirmation not available at the time of submission can be sent later; however, no funds can be released until all letters are received.

Please send your project proposal to the MOST Program at:

Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST) Program
Office of Environmental Affairs
Sustainable Development Division
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street,
Place de Ville, Tower C, 18th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON5

Telephone: (613) 998-6607
Fax: (613) 993-8674
e-mail: MOST@tc.gc.ca