CIRA’s Community Investment Program grants have been launched for innovative community internet projects to build a resilient, trusted and secure internet for all Canadians. While CIRA’s granting program will consider applications that benefit all Canadians, They’re especially looking for initiatives that benefit: • Students (kindergarten to grade 12 and post-secondary) • Northern, rural and Indigenous communities.

Priority Funding Areas

• Infrastructure
  • CIRA aims to increase the number of Canadians who have access to a high-quality and high-performing internet.
  • They fund connectivity research, core infrastructure, last-mile connectivity services and operational solutions that increase performance, lower costs and improve data sovereignty.
• Digital literacy
  • CIRA aims to improve digital literacy knowledge and skills among Canadians.
  • They fund research, educational frameworks, learning resources, tools and training programs to improve Canadians’ digital literacy knowledge and skills.
• Cyber security:
  • CIRA is focused on increasing Canadians’ cyber security knowledge and safety from threats.
  • They fund research, educational frameworks, tools and training programs that increase Canadians’ online safety.
• Community leadership:
  • CIRA aims to engage, support and strengthen a vibrant and resilient internet community domestically and globally.
  • They fund events and policy research that broaden public awareness and understanding of domestic internet policy and governance.

Funding Information

• Grants are available up to $100,000.
• In addition, one grant is available up to $250,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Organizations recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as registered charities;
• Not-for-profit organizations;
• Academics and researchers affiliated with a Canadian university or college;
• Organizations must be based in Canada and projects, while they can have a broader impact, must benefit Canadians.

Please note:

• They accept only one application at a time from an organization, either alone or as part of a partnership. There are no limits for academic institutions; however, the lead researcher(s) may submit only one application at a time.
• If you have already received a grant from CIRA’s Community Investment Program, you or your organization can apply again. However, your project will only be considered if the final report from your last funded project has been received and reviewed.
• They do support projects and organizations that do not have a .CA through the Community Investment Program. However, as an organization whose initiative benefits Canadians, .CA will help brand you as Canadian online. Learn more about the benefits of having a .CA.

For more information visit CIRA.