Register for Grants and Contributions Online Services

Step 1 - Create your Profile

• Set up your username and password. To complete this step, use a username and password that you already have with one of the financial institutions on our list of Sign-in-Partner. You can also sign-in or register using GCKey.
• Create your user profile. Enter your user information, contact information and address. Once this is done, you will receive a user reference number (URN). This is your unique client identifier for GCOS. Make note of your URN for future reference.
• Create a profile for your organisation. You need to provide:
  • The name of your organization
  • The title of your position
  • Your organisation's address, as registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

To validate your organisation, you also need to provide:

• Your organisation's business number
• Legal and operating name (make sure the information is the same as the information in your organisation's CRA account).

If you have a registered payroll (RP) program account business number, you're encouraged to use it. Using an RP business number automates the validation of the information and registration is quicker.

• Make note of your Organization ID for future reference.
• If you choose: "Skip for Now" at the bottom of the screen, you won't be able to apply for funding using a GCOS account.

Step 2 - Apply for Funding

• You may review current funding opportunities and apply for funding now if there is a deadline to submit your application; or
• You can continue to Step 3, finalize your account and be ready for a future funding opportunity.
• If you apply for funding now, you must finish account creation steps 3 and 4 as soon as possible once you've submitted your application.
• Completing all the steps ensures you're fully registered and can benefit from the advantages of your GCOS account. This includes being able to:
  • Track the status of your application;
  • Sign an agreement if your application is approved for funding.
  • Manage active projects;
  • Send documents; and
  • Review past projects submitted through GCOS.

Step 3 - Validation and authentication

• Validation of your organization. Based on the information you provided, ESDC/Service Canada validates:
  • Your organization's business number, legal name, and your organization's address.

ESDC/Service Canada will confirm by email if you need to complete additional steps.

• Validate and Authenticate your Identity. As the main account holder, and for security purpose, you must validate and authenticate your identity. You can do this online using your CRA "My Account" sign-in information (if you have a valid "My Account for Individual" or "My Business Account"). You can also do this in-person at a Service Canada Centre.

Step 4 - Enter your authorization code

• After the validation and authentication steps are completed, ESDC/Service Canada will send an authorization code to the email address provided in your GCOS profile.
  • Enter this code in your GCOS profile to finish the registration.
• Service Canada will mail a letter to the head of the organization to inform them of the GCOS account.

The User Guide for Registration and Account Management provides more details on how to complete the GCOS registration process and how to manage your GCOS account.

Questions or concerns about the GCOS registration process can be directed to the Employer Contact Centre by phone or by email to the GCOS team.