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Grants and Contributions Program

The Human Rights Program provides a limited number of grants and contributions to projects that increase awareness, knowledge, and practical enjoyment of human rights in Canada. Canadian non-profit organizations, professional organizations, universities and post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply for this funding. To receive funding under this program, human rights standards (as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the international instruments to which Canada is a signatory) must be an explicit and important part of the project activities. Project proposals must establish clear links between the funding requested and the human rights education activities, along with the results to be achieved with respect to increasing human rights awareness, knowledge and practical enjoyment. The Program focusses on projects that reach a Canadian audience. Other questions considered in the selection of projects for funding include the following:

• What is the scope of the project? How many people will the project reach? Will new audiences be reached by the project?
• Are there similar projects being done by others? Has the group established links with others? Is the group doing anything new?
• Are the activities proposed likely to have the desired results?
• Will the project become self-sustaining?
• Are other funding possibilities available to the group? Will Human Rights Program funding make a difference?
• Has the group received funding from the Human Rights Program or other Canadian Heritage programs in the past? (Efforts are made to fund a variety of groups) If so, has it demonstrated results from the activities funded?
• Does the project include an evaluation framework, including indicators, results and outcomes?

Program Priorities:

The Human Rights Program is primarily concerned with human rights education in the domestic context. Priorities of the program include children's rights and supporting innovative ways of creating awareness of human rights issues. In 2006-2007, the Program is also focussing on projects that increase public awareness of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Timing for Funding Applications:

The Program has  limited funds remaining for 2006-2007. Eligible organizations are welcome to also submit project proposals for 2007-2008. Preliminary assessment of project proposals will begin in Fall 2006, with an initial selection of projects to be considered for further analysis by the Program in January 2007.

Please note that project proposals pass through a stringent approval process that may take up to four months. Before submitting a detailed project proposal and application, prospective applicants should contact a Program Officer to discuss whether the project is likely to fit within Program requirements and information to be included in the letter of intent. After reviewing the letter of intent, the Program will advise prospective applicants of whether the Program would be interested in receiving a complete proposal and application for further consideration.

For further information, please contact us at (819) 994-3458 or by email at rights-droits@pch.gc.ca