Cyber Security Cooperation Program - Funding Application Guide

Call for Applications

Closes Friday, February 12, 2021

Introduction

This document is your step-by-step guide for information and guidance in completing an application for funding under the Cyber Security Cooperation Program (CSCP). It is meant to be used in tandem with the online application form.

Before applying

Review the information in this Funding Application Guide carefully, noting all of the required information and supporting documentation. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

Should you have any questions about the application process, please contact the CSCP mailbox at CSCP-PCCS@ps-sp.gc.ca and a Program Officer will provide you with assistance.

Contents

This Funding Application Guide consists of six main sections:

Section 1: Program Overview

The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (the Department) is pleased to invite proposals to support and advance efforts to build a safe and resilient Canada through the CSCP, which provides time-limited funding in the form of grants and contributions. Funding under the CSCP supports projects that contribute to security and prosperity in the digital age while positioning Canada as a global leader in cyber security.

CSCP Goals

In alignment with the goals and priorities of the National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS), the CSCP is comprised of the following three goals and related objectives:

  1. Security and Resilience of Canadian Systems: The number and complexity of cyber threats continues to increase. The goal of this stream is to incentivize research and action in the area of cyber resilience. This includes projects that aim to encourage national action to bolster the security and resilience of Canadian systems to cyber threats, and to increase the national cyber security baseline across the country. Funding will be provided for projects that enhance the capacity to prevent, mitigate, and respond to advanced cyber attacks targeting Canadian systems and institutions, and help defend critical government and private sector systems. This includes supporting activities that not only encourage and assist non-federal partners to better protect themselves, but also ensure that Canadian cyber systems are prepared for and can take advantage of rapid technological advancements.
  2. An Innovative and Adaptive Cyber Ecosystem: Canada will need to develop innovative cyber security tools and areas of cyber specialization if it is to remain at the forefront of emerging technology and raise a new generation of connected, cyber-capable Canadians. The goal of this stream is to position Canada to take advantage of the economic benefits that can be derived from innovations in the cyber security field. Funding will be provided for projects that assist Canadian governments, businesses and citizens in anticipating trends, and that address emerging threats to cyber security posed by disruptive and emerging technologies. This includes support for advanced research and development, and for projects that advance cyber security skills and knowledge in Canada.
  3. Effective Leadership, Governance and Collaboration: Canada’s success in cyber security will depend on multiple actors working together on complex and evolving issues. The goal of this stream is for the Government to demonstrate leadership and promote national coordinated action to advance cyber security knowledge, skills and innovation in Canada. Funding will be provided to support projects that enhance stakeholders’ collaboration and coordination in increasing the body of knowledge and understanding of cyber security issues, and ensure that Canadian values and interests are strengthened, preserved and defended. This includes projects that increase public awareness of cyber threats, as well as projects that begin to address the fundamental gap in available current Canadian data and metrics related to cyber security, with a view to improve decision-making.

For more information on the particular interests for this call, please refer to Section 3: Call for Applications Information. Applicants that propose projects and/or initiatives under these targeted areas may be given priority.  

Eligible Recipients

Financial assistance may be provided to the following classes of recipients:

For full information on recipient eligibility, please refer to the CSCP Terms and Conditions (Annex A).

Eligible Expenditures

Funds may only be used for eligible expenditures that have been identified in a budget approved by the Department. Eligible expenditures will be those that are incurred by the Recipient, are reasonable, incremental, directly related to, and required to carry out the project activities.

Eligible expenses include:

Other eligible expenses:

Administrative and overhead costs which may not be explicitly incurred for the purpose of the delivery of the project, but enable its achievement, could be considered as other eligible expenses. These costs may not be effectively tracked to the project. Therefore, they will be apportioned to the project based on a reasonable methodology predefined in writing by the Recipient, in the budget request. Combined, these expenses should not exceed 15% of the total eligible project costs funded by the Department.

The nature of these costs should not be covered under any of the other above categories. They may include:

For more detailed information about eligible expenses, please refer to the Budget template, or CSCP Terms and Conditions (Annex A).

Section 2: Application Requirements and Deadline

The current call for applications is now open. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 Pacific Time (PDT) on Friday, February 12, 2021.

All applicants will receive a confirmation email that their submission was received. If a confirmation email is not received after submission please contact the CSCP mailbox at CSCP-PCCS@ps-sp.gc.ca for assistance.

To be considered for funding, an application must include a completed:

Applicants must use the online application form available on the CSCP webpage to be considered eligible.

Incomplete applications and applications received after 11:59pm Pacific Time (PDT) ‐ Friday, February 12, 2021 will not be considered for funding.

Section 3: Call For Applications Information

CSCP Open Call Funding Streams

The following subjects are being targeted for this current call for proposals. Projects that focus on one of these subjects may be given priority during the assessment phase. No additional points are awarded for targeting multiple streams. Applicants are encouraged to focus the articulation of their proposal around the main or primary project objective(s) and intended outcome(s).

  1. Secure and Resilient Canadian Systems
  1.  An Innovative and Adaptive Cyber Ecosystem
  1. Effective Leadership, Governance and Collaboration

Project Readiness

Proposals should demonstrate readiness to begin the work detailed in their application soon after approval is received. Readiness could mean “turnkey” projects with a solid understanding of risks, costs and timelines; projects that have clear objectives and understood activities, and that can be delivered before March, 2024.

Diversity, Equity and Representation Considerations

Preference may be given to proposals that can demonstrate and provide proof of the following:

Maximum Funding per Project

Stacking Requirement

Section 4: Introduction to Building a Strong Application

To build a strong application, the applicant needs to make sure the following key elements are addressed in the application:

There are a number of resources available that provide guidance on developing applications for a project for advancing cyber security in Canada that are valuable to consider. Applicants are encouraged to explore the following resources:

Section 5: Application Assessment Process

Assessment Criteria

Eligible applications will undergo a criteria-based assessment process to ensure that all project applications are assessed objectively against the same criteria, the CSCP Terms and Conditions, and the availability of funding.

Assessment Process

The project assessment process will consist of:

Communication of Results

Results of the open call process will be communicated to applicants once the selection process is complete using the contact information provided in the application form.

Selected projects may not start earlier than April 1, 2021.

Section 6: Contact Information

Please direct requests for assistance to the CSCP mailbox at CSCP-PCCS@ps-sp.gc.ca should you require guidance related to the eligibility of applicants, activities and expenses or have questions of a general nature. Please note that completed applications will not be reviewed prior to submission.

For additional information on the CSCP, please refer to the CSCP website.

Annex A - Terms and Conditions for Grants and Contributions under the Cyber Security Cooperation Program

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