Grants and contributions snapshot
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), supports research, awareness and learning in space science and technology via its Class Grant and Contribution Program.
The two components aim to support knowledge development and innovation in CSA priority areas while increasing Canadians' awareness of and participation in space-related disciplines and activities.
The CSA is committed to providing its clients with high-quality, timely services, responding promptly, and measuring response times by means of service standards.
The CSA can respond to two types of proposals:
- Solicited proposals: Projects submitted in response to a CSA announcement. Projects are evaluated against the Program's assessment criteria and as part of a competitive process. Funds are set aside for this purpose.
- Unsolicited proposals: Projects submitted at any time, in line with CSA priorities. Projects are evaluated individually against the related Program's Component assessment criteria. They may be approved based on merit and the availability of funds. In areas similar to those advertised by the CSA, the Agency could use these same criteria to evaluate an unsolicited proposal.
Eligible costs approved will vary depending on CSA announcement.
Application process
Funding will primarily be allocated through competitive processes (solicited proposals). Announcements of Opportunities are posted on the CSA website and include guidelines and application forms.
Unsolicited proposals may be considered at the CSA's discretion. With this type of proposal, it is strongly recommended that the CSA Centre of Expertise be consulted to discuss the project prior to submission.
Resources
For more information about the grants and contributions, please contact:
Centre of Expertise for Grants and Contributions
asc.lecedessetc-thegandccoe.csa@canada.ca- For more information regarding a specific announcement, please contact the resource person listed in the announcement.
Comments and suggestions
To help us maintain an ongoing dialogue with clients and improve our practices, please provide your comments and suggestions.
Research component
The research component provides organizations with financial support to conduct space-related research and development in CSA priority areas.
This component supports targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance Canada's capacity to use space to meet the country's future needs and priorities.
1. Objectives
- Support the development of science and technology in line with CSA priorities;
- Foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada in CSA priority areas;
- Support information gathering, studies and research related to space;
- Support the operations of organizations dedicated to space research.
2. Strategic outcomes
Immediate
- Increased knowledge via research projects in priority space science and technology areas;
- Maintained and/or increased space focus in universities, post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations;
- Partnerships established and maintained;
- Leveraged partner contributions;
- Access to international collaboration for Canadian organizations.
Intermediate
- Increased availability of space-related knowledge and information in priority areas;
- Increased space-related science and technology capacity in targeted areas;
- Increased multi-disciplinary and/or institutional collaborations.
Long term
- Canadian space-related research and development responds to national needs and priorities.
3. A few key performance measures
- Number and type of space projects initiated and/or completed;
- Number and type of new partnerships created or sustained;
- Ratio of leveraged funds vs. awarded grant/contribution funds;
- Number and scope of differentiated means of dissemination;
- Number of highly qualified personnel supported;
- Number of satellite data-based applications developed;
- Volume of satellite data used.
4. Eligible recipients
Eligible recipients for grants include:
- Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions;
- not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada;
- not-for-profit international research organizations;
- or a cluster formed by a combination of the above.
Eligible recipients for contributions include:
- Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions;
- for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada;
- not-for-profit international research organizations;
- or a cluster formed by a combination of the above.
5. Eligible initiatives and projects
Examples of initiatives and projects eligible for grants:
- research activities of interest to Canada and related to scientific disciplines and space technology and their applications;
- studies involving space-like conditions and space simulations;
- activities that sustain space research and development capabilities;
- studies to develop capabilities that enhance the space sector;
- space policy studies;
- end project phase activities, such as space data analysis, the transformation of said data into useful information, and the dissemination of the ensuing results;
- research chairs;
- activities of space research organizations.
Examples of initiatives and projects eligible for contributions:
- concept and feasibility studies of interest to Canada;
- studies involving space-like conditions and space simulations;
- mission planning;
- orbital, sub-orbital and space flights;
- technology development activities;
- application development activities;
- space policy studies;
- activities of space research organizations.
6. Evaluation criteria
- Eligibility
- Eligible recipient
- Eligible project, links to Program objectives and to CSA's priorities
- Meets the basic R&D definition (if applicable)
- Meets CSA Class G&C Program funding provisions
- Benefits to Canada
- Feasibility
- Resources
- Results
- Risk and mitigation measures
Awareness and learning component
This component is comprised of two key elements: space awareness and space learning. It provides financial support to individuals and organizations involved in initiatives targeting Canadian:
- youth
- students
- physicians
- educators
1. Objectives
- Raise awareness of Canadian space science and technology among Canadian youth and educators and increase their participation in related activities;
- Provide learning opportunities to Canadian students and physicians in various space-related disciplines;
- Support the operations of organizations dedicated to space education.
2. Strategic outcomes
Immediate
- Increased knowledge and skills in space-related disciplines among target audience;
- Greater availability and use of space themes in science and technology-related learning opportunities and educational materials.
Intermediate
- Sustained interest in space-related disciplines among target audience;
- More highly qualified Canadians working in space-related disciplines;
- Target audience is reached through science and technology-related learning activities and educational materials.
Long-term
- Increased/sustained capacity to conduct or support space-related research and/or operations;
- Increased awareness of science and technology among target audience.
3. A few key performance measures
- Number of graduates in space-related fields, by type of post-secondary degree or certificate;
- Number and type of learning events attended or completed and level of satisfaction reported;
- Number and type of initiatives by target audience.
4. Eligible recipients
Eligible recipients for grants include:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
- Canadian elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions;
- not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada;
- international organizations dedicated to space relevant education.
Eligible recipients for contributions include:
- Canadian elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions;
- not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada;
- international organizations dedicated to space relevant education.
5. Eligible initiatives and projects
Examples of initiatives and projects eligible for grants:
- professional development workshops for educators;
- student-appropriate science/space conferences;
- student-appropriate technology conferences;
- contests and special events;
- fellowships and training activities;
- marketing, promotion and selection of qualified Canadian post-secondary students;
- bursaries;
- operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.
Examples of initiatives and projects eligible for contributions:
- 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 and/or educators;
- production, distribution and presentation of Canadian space-related information, products and materials in written, audiovisual and multi formats, for learning purposes;
- design and delivery of Canadian space-focused youth or educator workshops and hands-on activities and exhibits;
- Canadian space-focused special events like videoconference presentations and contests;
- marketing, promotion and selection of for bursaries awarded to qualified Canadian post-secondary students;
- bursaries;
- operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.
6. Evaluation criteria
6.1 Space awareness sub-component - Grants
- Linkage to Program objectives
- Depth of Canadian space science and/or technology content
- Knowledge transfer mechanisms
- Feasibility
- Resources
- Results
6.2 Space learning sub-component - Grants
The following criteria will be used to evaluate initiatives from Canadian citizens or permanent residents:
- Education and experience
- Interest and career goals in space disciplines
The following criteria will be used to evaluate initiatives from other eligible recipients:
- Eligibility
- Eligible recipient
- Eligible project
- Linkages to Program objectives
- Benefits to Canada
- Feasibility
- Resources
- Results
- Risk and mitigation measures
6.3 Awareness and learning component - Contributions
- Eligibility
- Eligible recipient
- Eligible project
- Linkage to Program objectives
- Benefits to Canada
- Feasibility
- Resources
- Results
- Risk and mitigation measures
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