Funding Criteria
Understanding GeoConnections' funding
GeoConnections uses different mechanisms to solicit and select projects. The following are important aspects related to program funding opportunities:
- Projects must address a clear need of end-users and/or advance the CGDI
- Funding awarded through a competitive process
- Opportunities announced throughout the year
Three types of funding available
There are three mechanisms for receiving project funding from GeoConnections—a primary contribution agreement, a contract, and a letter of agreement. In a contribution agreement, the GeoConnections program funds a portion of the project, and you and your partners—if any are involved—fund the balance. A letter of agreement is used in cases where the proponent is a federal agency. Under a contract, GeoConnections hires you to produce a specified good or service.
Depending on the type of arrangement, the program may use a mix of "Announcements of Opportunity (AOs)," "Requests for Information (RFIs)," and "Requests for Proposals (RFPs)" to communicate opportunities, determine market capacity, evaluate potential projects, and select successful proposals for funding.
Projects must address a clear need of end-users and/or the CGDI
To be eligible for funding, your proposed project must meet at least one of two high-level criteria:
- the project evolves the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) to better meet the needs of decision-makers in at least one of GeoConnections' four priority areas; or
- the project evolves CGDI technology or addresses a specified technical issue.
In addition, to be eligible for funding, proposed projects must address a number of other specific criteria that are described in detail in each Announcement of Opportunity (AO) and Request for Proposals (RFP).
In general, the AOs are housed on the GeoConnections website, whereas the RFPs are listed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) or via the MERX system. When an RFP is open on MERX or PWGSC, a link to the details is provided by the GeoConnections website.
In partnering with GeoConnections to expand the use of location-based data and technologies, project partners will be required to work with Canadian businesses. These businesses play a crucial role in generating the solutions required by decision-makers in the program's four priority areas, and in evolving CGDI technologies and solutions.
Funding awarded through a competitive process
GeoConnections thoroughly evaluates each proposal using a rigorous, merit-based competitive review process. The proposals that best meet the published evaluation criteria receive funding from GeoConnections— as much as 50 percent of the project's total cost. The maximum GeoConnections' contribution varies by each Request for Proposal (RFP) or Announcement of Opportunity (AO). The primary project proponent funds the balance, oftentimes with contributions from other partners they have enlisted.
So, for every dollar that GeoConnections invests in funding projects, its partners contribute a dollar or more. This partnership-based approach to funding not only doubles—or more—the power of GeoConnections' investment in projects, but it also encourages organizations to develop the most-needed solutions for the program's decision-making audiences.
GeoConnections contributes more than funding to the process, too; representatives from the program are available to help you work through the proposal-preparation process. We don't want the requirements to hinder your innovation, so please contact us if you'd like our guidance.
Opportunities announced throughout the year
GeoConnections identifies the need for CGDI-based solutions in the program's four priority areas and then, at various times each year, invites project proposals for developing these solutions. We promote these requests using "Announcements of Opportunity (AOs)."
Other specific technology or service-related Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are launched as needed and also occur throughout the year.
In any case, information about all of the opportunities is posted on our web site. As well, we send e-mail notices to everyone on the GeoConnections stakeholder list to make them aware of these new AOs and RFPs, so don't forget to subscribe to this service. We also encourage you to contact us at any time if you have a project idea to discuss.