Grants for Space STEM Initiatives for Youth

Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology - Space Awareness Element

Announcement of Opportunity (AO)

Publication date: March 9, 2021

Deadline: April 30, 2021

1. Introduction

In February 2019, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.05B related to Canada's involvement in the Lunar Gateway. This investment included youth Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities linked to Lunar Gateway. Shortly thereafter, the Government released a new Space Strategy for Canada entitled "Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A New Space Strategy for Canada", which laid out the CSA's commitment to inspiring young Canadians through space.

In order to reach youth through STEM, it is important to consider educators who have an influence on their learning, future education, and career choices. Educators can include parents, teachers, volunteers, and youth group leaders through various organizations (e.g. schools, school boards, teachers' associations, science centers, youth organizations, youth associations, clubs, community groups, etc.).

The grants provided through this AO will support initiatives that include a focus on or an element related to STEM and the Moon that contribute to increased awareness, knowledge and/or experience of the space-related disciplines among Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) (Maternelle-CEGEP in Quebec) youth and educators. Priority will be given to projects focusing on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), health, nutrition, lunar rovers missions.

This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is consistent with the terms and conditions of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology – Space Awareness Element.

Applicants are asked to read the following AO thoroughly before submitting their applications. This AO was prepared to help applicants complete the application process, and outlines key elements, including mandatory criteria for eligibility, details on eligible projects and the selection process. In the event of any discrepancies between this AO and the individual funding agreements governing a project, the latter document(s) will take precedence.

2. AO Objectives

The objective of this AO is to invest in the development, the delivery and the promotion of activities that engage Canadian youth in space-related initiatives to increase their level of interest and involvement in STEM.

3. Eligibility Criteria

3.1 Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients will include:

• Canadian elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions;
• Not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada.

The application should be submitted by one eligible organization which will be fully liable and the only signatory of the grant agreement.

3.2 Eligible Projects

Grants under this Program will be made towards initiatives that contribute to increase interest, knowledge and/or experience in STEM using space-related disciplines among youth (K-12) and educators.

To be eligible, the proposed projects must include the following elements:

• Activities that contribute to increase the awareness, interest, knowledge and/or experience in STEM using space-related disciplines among youth (K-12) and educators;

Activities such as, but not limited to, the following will be considered eligible for these grants:

• development and delivery of information, materials, products, activities, and events that use the context of the Canadian Space Program to expand the scientific literacy of Canadian youth (K-12) and/or educators;
• development of activity and promotion to increase reach and impact; delivery of activity to youth (K-12) and educators;
• production, distribution and presentation of Canadian space-related information, products and materials in written, audiovisual and multi formats, for awareness purposes (e.g. virtual presentation, videos, teacher toolkit, digitization of exhibits, etc.);
• design and delivery of Canadian space-focused youth or educator workshops and hands-on activities (e.g. series of talks, virtually or in person, school programming, etc.).

Activities will be delivered at no cost to the participants during the agreement period. For the activities planned to be offered in locations where entry or other standard fees are required, no additional cost will be charged for participation in the activities supported by the grant.

The recipients of the grants will have access to the same services that the CSA Communications and Public Affairs group offers to all Canadians, such as information on CSA activities and missions.

3.3 Links to CSA Priorities

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to the CSA's commitment to inspiring young Canadians through space as highlighted in the Government's Space Strategy for Canada entitled "Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A New Space Strategy for Canada".

In support of the strategy, the Canadian Space Agency invites applications for initiatives that promote space and STEM to Canada's young people, particularly to groups such as girls and Indigenous peoples or other under-represented groups in scientific and engineering careers.

Furthermore, the CSA encourages organizations to consider the needs of official language minority communities in their area while developing the activities to be proposed in the application and to strive to have official documentation and promotional material in both official languages.

3.4 Links to the Class G&C Program Objectives

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to the achievement of at least one of the following objectives:

• To increase awareness of Canadian space science and technology by increasing the interest of Canadian youth and educators and their participation in related activities;

4. Applications

Applicants must submit a completed Application as described below. Applications can be submitted either electronically or mailed.

The Application must include the following:

• A completed typed original application form signed by the Duly Authorized Representative;
• One (1) printed copy of the Application if submitted by mail;
• A copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the Applicant;
• Letters from other funding contributors confirming their contributions, if applicable;
• A complete Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the Applicant Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act section included in the application form); and
• For organizations in Quebec, M-30 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the M-30 form for organizations in Quebec included in the application form)
• In case the Application is submitted by mail, a copy of the Application (identical to the signed paper copy) on a standard electronic media (e.g. USB flash drive). If there is any discrepancy between the hard copy and the electronic version, the hard copy takes precedence.

The Application must be prepared as a single PDF-formatted file containing all of the above requested documents with all security features disabled. Please order the document with the application form and proposal first. If there are any accessibility issues with the submitted PDF file, all consequences reside with the Applicant.

Any missing supporting document or any incoherence between the requested documents and the information provided within the documents may lead to the rejection of the proposal on that sole basis.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application complies with all relevant federal, provincial and territorial legislation and municipal bylaws.

Applications can be submitted either electronically or mailed:

1. To upload the application electronically, please follow the steps below:
   • Prepare the Application in a single PDF –formatted file as per instructions above;
   • Submit an account creation request to use the CSA Electronic proposal portal. Please note that Google Chrome is the browser of choice for submissions; Internet Explorer is also supported with some restrictions. Applicants using the electronic portal are encouraged to create their account several days before the submission deadline, in order to address any technical difficulties that could arise. If the technical issues cannot be resolved, Applicants can submit their application by mail (before the deadline);
   • Upon account creation, the CSA will send an email with instructions on how to connect to the CSA secure filer system to allow you to upload documents securely. Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload their applications well before the submission deadline;
   • In the "Proposal title" field of the Electronic Proposal Portal, please use the following formatting standard: ORGANIZATION NAME_PROJECT TITLE_YOUTH STEM 2021.

2. Mail the Applications to the CSA at the following address:

   Youth STEM
   c/o Magalie Renaud
   Communications and Public Affairs Directorate
   Canadian Space Agency
   6767 Route de l'Aéroport
   Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9

Applications must be received at the CSA no later than (to be determined).

Important notes:

• Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted;
• Applications sent by email will not be accepted.

If CSA receives the same application by both ways acceptable for submission, the latest valid version received will be considered.

If the applicant choose to submit the applications electronically, the applicant must keep one hard copy of the Application with the original (inked) signatures. The CSA may require from the applicants who successfully passed the stages described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 to send a hard copy of their complete application with the original signatures.

4.1 Service Standards – Complete Applications

Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions regarding their application. Selected applications will be announced on the CSA website. The CSA has set the following service standards for processing times, acknowledgement of receipt, funding decisions and payment procedures.

• Acknowledgement: The CSA's goal is to acknowledge receipt of application within maximum two (2) weeks of receiving the completed application package.
• Decision: The CSA's goal is to respond to the proponent within fifteen (15) weeks of the AO's closing date and to send a grant agreement for signature within six (6) weeks after formal approval of the proposal.
• Payment:
  The CSA's goal is to issue payment within four (4) weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the grant agreement.

Compliance with these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must submit all required documentation in a timely manner. Service standards may vary by Announcement of Opportunity.

5. Evaluation

5.1 Eligibility Criteria

Applications must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Represents an eligible recipient as defined in Section 3.1;
• Represents an eligible project as defined in Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.

5.2 Evaluation Criteria

The table below shows the definition and a breakdown of all the evaluation criteria, which are further described in Annex A. Applicants should address each criterion in their application. Please note that an application must receive an overall minimum score of 60 and achieve the minimum specified thresholds for each criterion to be considered for funding.

5.3 Evaluation Process

Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment listed in Section 5.1 will be given further consideration.

Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, evaluators will assess the screened applications according to the criteria listed in Section 5.2. Evaluators shall be experts in the fields relevant to the applications and may include representatives of Canada and other countries, and representatives of other government and non-government agencies and organizations. If applicable, a multidisciplinary evaluation committee will be formed when applications from several different disciplines are competing in order to provide a uniform final score and ranking of proposals.

Before a final decision is made, the CSA's Program Manager responsible for this AO may seek input and advice from other organizations, including (but not limited to) federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government agencies and organizations.

For the final selection, the CSA will consider the applicants having the highest final scores. The CSA could also take into consideration factors linked to priorities of the Government such as, but not limited to, the representativeness of the following underrepresented groups in STEM: girls, Indigenous, youth from socio-economically disadvantaged communities, members of a visible minority.

6. Funding

6.1 Available Funding and Duration

The total maximum funding available per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) for grants for this AO is as follows:

• 2021-2022: $200K
• 2022-2023: $200K
• 2023-2024: $300K

The total maximum funding amount given per project will be $50,000, over a maximum period of two (2) years.

Each eligible recipient can be funded for three (3) project(s) per fiscal year under this AO.

The CSA reserves the right to reject any proposals or reduce the amount of the grants at its entire discretion.

Approved proposals will be eligible for a total amount of government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) of up to 100% of total project costs.

To determine the amount of funding to be allocated, consideration will be given to the availability of CSA funds, the total cost of the project, and the other confirmed sources of funds provided by other stakeholders and the applicant.

Applicants must identify all sources of funding in their applications and confirm this information in a funding agreement if the project is selected for funding. Upon completion of a project, the recipient must also disclose all sources of funding.

6.2 Eligible Costs

Eligible costs for grants will be direct expenses associated with the delivery of approved projects that are required to achieve the results to which they relate. Costs such as, but not limited to one or a combination of the following will be considered eligible for the grant:

• Accommodation and meal allowances
• Acquisition, development and printing of materials
• Acquisition or rental of equipment
• Consultant services
• License and permit fees
• Marketing and printing services
• Materials and supplies (e.g. to support the funded project, to adapt existing facilities to host space-related exhibits or activities, to ship materials, etc.)
• Participation fees at conferences, committees and events
• Registration fees
• Publication and communication services (e.g.. digitalization services of exhibitions), event program development, etc.)
• Registration fees
• Salaries and benefits (e.g. to deliver activities, deliver school visit program, etc.)
• Translation services
• Travel
• Overhead (administrative) costs (not to exceed 10% of eligible costs)
• PST, HST and GST net of any rebate to which the recipient is entitled and the reimbursement of any taxes for goods and services acquired in a foreign country net of any rebate or reimbursement received in the foreign country

7. Funding Agreements

7.1 Payments

The CSA and each successful Applicant (the recipient) will sign a funding agreement. This is a condition for any payment made by the CSA with respect to the approved project.

Payments will be made in a lump sum or instalments as described in the signed agreement. Grant funding agreements will include a clause stipulating the recipient's obligation to confirm—once a year in the case of multi-year agreements—their eligibility for the G&C Program – Awareness Component and inform the CSA in writing of any changes to the conditions used in determining their eligibility for this component.

7.2 Audit

The recipient of a funding agreement shall keep proper records of all documentation related to the funded project, for the duration of the project and for six (6) years after the completion date of the project, in the event of an audit. This documentation shall be available upon request.

7.3 Conflict of Interest

In the funding agreement, the recipient will certify that any current or former public office holder or public servant it employs complies with the provisions of the relevant Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector respectively.

7.4 Intellectual Property

All intellectual property developed by the recipient in the course of the project shall vest in the recipient.

7.5 Organizations in Quebec

An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, R.S.Q., Chapter M-30.

Under Sections 3.11 and 3.12 of this Act, certain entities/organizations, as defined in the meaning of the Act, such as municipal bodies, school bodies, or public agencies, must obtain authorization from the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes (SQRC), as indicated by the Act, before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada, its departments or agencies, or a federal public agency.

Consequently, any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada.

Quebec applicants must complete, sign and include the M-30 Supporting Documentation form with their application.

7.6 Performance Measurement

The CSA will ask the recipients to report on certain aspects of their projects such as:

• Reach and engagement
  • Number of Canadian youth (K-12) reached and actively engaged
    • Extent to which youth that participated in one or more space-STEM activities that have a greater desire to study in STEM fields
    • Number of under-represented youth
  • Availability and use of space theme in learning opportunities and materials
  • Knowledge of the target audience and the best ways to engage with it
  • Existing network
  • If online content, number of page views and/or downloads of space STEM-related content
• Collaboration
  • Use of partnerships to engage with the target audience
  • Partners' contributions, if applicable.

8. Privacy Notice Statement

The CSA manages and protects the information provided by the applicant under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. By submitting your personal information, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Privacy Statement, which explains how the information about the applicant will be processed.

The information is collected under the CSA Class Grant and Contribution Program in Support of Awareness, Research and Learning - Research Component (ASC PPU 045) and Awareness and Learning Component (ASC PPU 040) . This information will be used for administration and application evaluation purposes. Personal information (such as name, contact information and biographical information) will be kept for 6 years and destroyed. According to the Privacy Act, any individual may, upon request,

1. have access to his or her personal data and
2. request correction of the incorrect information.

Applicants should also note that information relating to the Funding Agreement could be disclosed publicly in accordance with the laws, policies and directives of the Government of Canada.

For additional information regarding this statement, please contact:

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It is the responsibility of the applicants to obtain clarification of the requirements contained herein, if necessary, before submitting an application.

For any questions related to the AO, applicants shall use the following email address stimjeunesse-youthstem@asc-csa.gc.ca . Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this AO. CSA will not respond to any questions received after 11:59 PM (ET), April 16, 2021.

Annex A – Scoring

A numerical score will be associated with each criterion.

1. Depth of Canadian space science and/or technology content

• Maximum: 25
• Minimum: 10

This criterion will be used to evaluate

• the level of Canadian content in the development of the activity, such as but not limited to examples, analogies or data related to Canadian space missions, space science and/or technologies
• the relevance of the proposed activity to the CSA priority space domains (robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), health, nutrition, lunar rovers missions) and their link with STEM.
• science and technology is accurate and current

2. Knowledge transfer mechanism

• Maximum: 20
• Minimum: 7

This criterion will be used to evaluate

• to which extent the proposed content includes original, innovative, concepts or methods that increase the activities' attractiveness and impact
• the proposed content adaptability to different youth ability levels, learning types, and pre-activity knowledge
• the effectiveness of the proposed visual design and chosen media, as well as the technical requirements to deliver the activity
• activity validation plan among target group

3. Feasibility

• Maximum: 20
• Minimum: 7

This criterion will be used to evaluate

• the clarity and completeness of the project objectives
• the coherence of the activities, timelines, resources and deliverables described in the project plan
• the experience of the organization in successful managing similar projects
• the effectiveness of the promotional plan

4. Resources

• Maximum: 20
• Minimum: 7

This criterion will be used to evaluate:

• the expertise and experience of the team in youth (K-12) STEM awareness projects, and how these will effectively contribute to the success of this project
• duties and responsibilities assigned to each project team member are consistent with each member's experience and expertise
• the budget and the other resources are realistic and justified in relation to the proposed activities
• access to additional in-kind and cash funding sources and resources
• the availability of planned resources and the required infrastructure in a timely manner to finalize the activities and follow the implementation plan

5. Results and sustainability

• Maximum: 15
• Minimum: 5

This criterion will be used to evaluate:

• activity reach amongst target group and project results measurement
• the expected impact on the target group
• project sustainability beyond CSA funding agreement