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
• Section 2: Application Requirements and Deadline
• Section 3: Call for Applications Information
• Section 4: Introduction to Building a Strong Application
• Section 5: Application Assessment Process
• Section 6: Contact Information
• Annex A: CSCP Terms and Conditions

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:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations;
• Canadian academic and research institutions;
• Provincial, territorial and local government and authorities;
• Canadian individual researchers and professionals; and
• Canadian for-profit organizations.

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:

• salaries and wages for permanent or temporary professional, clerical, technical and administrative services, and stipends (including expenses for international staff);
• consultation fees, and audit fees;
• training or educational fees (e.g. courses, workshops, etc.);
• conference room and meeting room rentals;
• office equipment and minor capital acquisitions net of disposal (less than $5,000 per acquisition);
• reasonable travel and living expenses related to the delivery of the project, including transportation rental fees;
• honoraria, defined as time limited remuneration for a volunteer service or participation in project delivery that is consistent with, and essential to the attainment of, the project’s objectives;
• computer services, library expenses, research costs and collection and analysis of statistics;
• public awareness and educational activities consistent with the project’s objectives;
• translation and simultaneous interpretation activities;
• hospitality (meals and refreshments), only in the context of research projects where focus groups are undertaken;
• shipping charges, postage, licenses, and other fees; and,
• federal and provincial taxes (only after credits and reimbursements have been considered).

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:

• office supplies;
• printing;
• publishing;
• distribution; and,
• promotion.

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:

• Online Funding Application Form (mandatory);
• Project Budget Template (mandatory); and,
• Project Workplan Template (mandatory).

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

• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose cyber security application solutions for emerging technologies and in the following areas of interest:
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including Industrial Control System and critical infrastructure IoT security
• Smart cities
• Artificial intelligence
• Quantum computing
• Includes solutions to ensure quantum readiness (preparedness to migrate to post-quantum cryptography)
• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose automated hardware and software robustness verification solutions

2.  An Innovative and Adaptive Cyber Ecosystem

• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose solutions to bolster essential learning in cyber security of teachers and/or students at the primary and secondary education levels, seniors, vulnerable groups, residents in isolated regions, etc. across Canada;
• Projects that support the development of post-secondary level cyber security degree programs;
• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose solutions to train criminal justice practitioners on cybercrime and cybercrime prosecutions;
• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose solutions on cybercrime investigative processes, tools and techniques, and to train law enforcement and other investigative and police bodies.

3. Effective Leadership, Governance and Collaboration

• Projects and research on Data Sovereignty;
• Projects and/or research that explore and/or propose solutions to bolster the cyber security workforce in Canada:
• Support organizations to recruit, retain and train cyber security staff
• Support Canadians to understand the career potential in the cyber security industry.
• Data collection exercises to address data gaps around Canada’s cyber security workforce, workforce needs, and the cyber talent gap across industry sectors.

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:

• Projects and/or research proposals that support and/or mobilize groups such as youth, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, elderly, vulnerable and other diverse communities to become more cyber resilient and secure, innovative and adaptive, as well as more collaborative in this area.
• Organizations that, at the time of application, indicate and can provide proof that their project team  has equitable representation from employees belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous, Women, Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities.
• Canadian organizations who, at the time of application, indicate and can provide proof that they are based outside of populated urban centers, or who will partner with organizations based outside of populated urban centers in Canada as part of their proposed project.

Maximum Funding per Project

• Maximum funding shall not exceed $300,000/year per Contribution or Grant.
• In the case of for-profit organizations, the maximum funding is set at $100,000/year per Contribution; and $150,000/year per Grant.
• Applications eligible for funding will be determined by a Senior Official Selection Committee.

Stacking Requirement

• Total Canadian Government funding (federal/provincial/territorial/municipal) does not exceed 75% of the total eligible expenditures.
• Funding agreement may be in the form of multi-year funding. No project will extend beyond March 31, 2024.

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:

• Use simple language. Only use jargon when necessary. Character limits in the application range from 1000 to 2500 characters;
• Identify your project objectives, ongoing actions, and deliverables, and how they each flow into each other;
• Communicate the intended results of the project clearly;
• Demonstrate how your project and initiative support the National Cyber Security Strategy goals and expected results;
• Consider collaborating with other individuals/groups/networks/alliances during or after the project is complete in order to enhance long-term impact of the results and deliverables; and,
• Draft a strong budget and work plan for your project.

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:

• National Cyber Security Strategy
• National Cyber Security Action Plan
• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security resources
• Gender-Based Analysis Plus – Government of Canada’s Approach

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:

• Initial review to verify that mandatory information has been provided, and basic eligibility criteria are met (see Annex A for basic eligibility of recipient and activities);
• Detailed review to assess the project against merit criteria; and,
• Review by a Selection Committee, made up of officials from federal departments and agencies responsible for cyber security.

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

• Terms and Conditions for Grants and Contributions under the Cyber Security Cooperation Program

Date modified:

2021-01-13