Backgrounder - New Horizons for Seniors Program  

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

The objectives of the NHSP are:

•      promoting volunteerism among seniors;
•      engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
•      expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
•      supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
•      providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.

Community-based projects

Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. Approximately

$35 million is provided each year for community-based projects.

The NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for community-based projects closed on July 29, 2016. Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved and are now in progress.

The more recent NHSP 2017–2018 Call for Proposals for Community-based Projects closed on June 23, 2017. Applications submitted through this process are now being assessed.

Pan-Canadian projects

Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate interventions that have worked well in addressing seniors’ issues.                                                                                                                       

Projects that have received funding through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects are using a collective impact approach where project partners work together to achieve measurable results in addressing social isolation among seniors.

Successful projects are up to three years in duration and are receiving funding up to $750,000.

More than $21 million is being made available for pan-Canadian projects funded through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals.

For more information, visit New Horizons for Seniors Program.