Videos for the application process 

Hello my name is Chris and welcome to the overview video for the 2026 Call for Proposals for the Accessible Canada (AC) - National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) Funding. This funding closes on July 28th, 2026.

During this video, we will talk about Accessible Canada funding and how it supports NAAW.

We will also discuss important requirements and priorities for the Call for Proposals (CFP).

The Accessible Canada Fund is led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and supports projects that focus on accessibility and inclusion. This includes NAAW celebrations and activities across all provinces and territories. National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is a legislated milestone under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), which came into force in 2019. The ACA designates NAAW to take place each year, beginning on the last Sunday in May. NAAW celebrates the contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities and recognizes efforts that individuals, communities, and workplaces are making to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion.

The objective of the National AccessAbility Week Call for Proposals is to fund projects that promote the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations through NAAW activities that highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities; and raise awareness and promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada.

The funded activities will cover NAAW 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Successful projects will deliver the following expected results:

Persons with disabilities are supported to participate and engage in the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations, increase awareness of accessibility and disability inclusion in Canada, improve understanding and knowledge amongst Canadians about accessibility and disability inclusion issues, reduce stigma and attitudinal barriers towards persons with disabilities, and increase knowledge within the disability community as it relates to best practices and lessons learned for NAAW activities. By the end of their agreement, NAAW projects will have increased the scale and impact of their activities (for example, engaging more people, strengthening community capacity, and building more strategic partnerships).

ESDC will give additional points and prioritize projects that include plans for the participation of persons with disabilities in the overall project design and delivery of activities, support NAAW activities within underrepresented communities, for example: Official Language Minority Communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, Indigenous communities and Equity-deserving communities. This includes persons with disabilities, black and other visible minority groups. ESDC will also give additional points and prioritize projects that align with key priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act, and its regulations. This means projects that align with the following priority areas: employment, built environment, information & communication technologies (ICT), communication (non-ICT)/digital technologies, procurement, programs and services, and transportation.

Funding will be distributed across key priority areas and balanced against the assessment priorities and considerations.

ESDC may further consider applications based on geographical distribution to have coverage across Canada. ESDC may also consider the proposed project’s support for Official Languages, and accessible and inclusive services, as well as applications that include multi-sectoral partnerships with organizations from various sectors, including academia, retail, health, and financial sectors, and applications that include partnerships among diverse groups from within the disability community. A letter or letters of support from implicated partners must be provided at the time of agreement.

Up to $3.6M will be available to support up to 20 three‑year projects across Canada.

There are two levels of funding that organizations can apply for. Up to $180,000, or up to $360,000 with additional requirements.

Projects requesting up to $180,000 must be no longer than 3 years, and align with the funding objectives of the CFP, which includes delivering NAAW activities that highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities; and raise awareness and promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada. They must also include plans to scale the project so it can grow over the three years, and the activities can reach more people and increase their impact.

Projects requesting more than $180,000 and up to $360,000 must also meet additional requirements. They must include plans to scale their project so it can grow over the three years, and their activities can reach more people and increase their impact, have a regional or national scope (which means their activities are delivered in more than one province/territory), and they include 1 or more partnerships among diverse groups within the disability community. This could be small to medium disability organizations, organizations supporting different types of disabilities and organizations supporting persons at the intersection of disability and other identities.

Please note that Indigenous organizations are exempt from these additional requirements. As well, a national website alone does not constitute national scope.

This concludes the video on the overview for the NAAW 2026 Call for Proposals. We hope this walkthrough helps you feel confident and ready to apply.

Be sure to check out the other short videos available, which explains eligibility and ineligibility of this CFP, and the steps for the application process.

If you have any questions or would like more information, we’re here to help. Visit the Employment and Social Development Canada funding page for next steps and resources.

Good luck, and we look forward to receiving your application!

The web address is: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/accessible-grants-accessability-week.html

Hello my name is Chris and I'm Julie! Welcome to the eligible and ineligible video for the 2026 Call for Proposals for the Accessible Canada Fund (AC) - National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). This funding stream closes on July 28th, 2026.

During this video, we will talk about the eligibility and ineligibility of organizations, eligible and ineligible project costs, and examples of possible eligible and ineligible project activities.

Let’s start with eligible applicants. For this call for proposals, eligible applicants include: not‑for‑profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community, organizations and institutions supported by provincial or territorial entities in partnership with disability organizations, including educational institutions, health or social services institutions. More eligible applicants include municipalities, in partnership with disability organizations, and Indigenous organizations including band councils, tribal councils, and self‑government entities.

However, there are some additional details to keep in mind for provincially or territorially supported organizations and municipalities, they must partner with 1 or more disability organizations in their application.  These disability partners must have a leadership role in the overall project design and delivery of activities and letters of support from the implicated partners must be provided at the time of agreement.

Here is some additional details about organizations located and operating in Alberta and Quebec. If your project proposal is selected for funding, you may be required to obtain approval from the Alberta or Quebec government before you can accept funding from ESDC. If you are in Alberta, please consult the Provincial Priorities Act (Bill 18) and if you are in Quebec, please consult the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30).

Moving on to the ineligible applicants. The following groups are ineligible for funding: individuals, provincial, territorial governments.

Julie, can you talk to us about examples of possible projects and eligible costs?

Sure thing Chris! A possible project could include, annual awareness‑raising events during NAAW. Examples of this could be, arts and cultural events, speaking events, as well as videos, social media campaigns, and other awareness products. Moving on to the eligible costs, some examples are, wages and benefits, professional fees, travel and accommodations, materials, supplies, printing and communications, equipment rental/lease/maintenance, administration costs and capital assets, disability supports for staff and accessibility services for events.

Let's look at the ineligible projects and costs now. Some examples of ineligible projects are construction projects, installation of accessible building supports, repair projects and lobbying activities.

Now we will look at some ineligible costs. These include, costs incurred before ESDC approval and agreement signature, ongoing operating or service delivery costs, proposal preparation costs, construction or renovation, fundraising or lobbying activities, staff salary bonuses and alcohol purchases.

Now, lets dive into an example of what a possible eligible and ineligible project could look like.

The first example we have is from a disability organization who is planning on hosting a series of accessible employment webinars during National AccessAbility Week 2027, 2028 and 2029 to showcase the various programs, activities and initiatives related to accessibility that are available at the local municipal community center during NAAW week. The organization wants to apply for $180,000 to rent a theatre to host the events, including all the equipment needed to live stream and record the webinars. The organization also plans to hire American Sign Language (ASL) services and invite presenters with lived experience to deliver presentations on their experience navigating the different programs and services. The organization has outlined their plans to scale their event over the years, which include building their partnerships and networks across different regions, including with employers, so that their messaging and can reach a larger target audience and help improve program design and impact.

Julie, what could make this project eligible?

Well, the organization aligns well with the eligibility requirements because their project would deliver accessibility-focused activities during NAAW that highlight persons with disabilities and raise awareness about accessible and inclusive supports in their community, in alignment with the funding objective of the Call for Proposals. They also indicate that their project will be within the three-year limit and they include plans that explain how their project will scale over the years to reach more people and increase its impact. Not to mention, the amount of funding they are requesting is within the appropriate level.

Exactly Julie, this proposed project fits in well with the funding eligibility criteria.

Using a similar project summary as the previous project, lets figure out what this project proposal would be.

A disability organization who is planning on hosting a series of accessible employment webinars during National AccessAbility Week 2027, 2028 and 2029   to showcase the various programs, activities and initiatives related to accessibility that are available at the local municipal community center. The organization wants to apply for $250,000 to rent a theatre to host the events, including all the equipment needed to live stream and record the webinars. The organization also plans to hire ASL services and invite presenters with lived experience to deliver presentations on their experience navigating the different programs and services. The organization would host all activities locally and allow multiple diverse communities to participate in the live event.

Julie, can you tell us what could make this project ineligible? It sounds very similar to the first project.

I sure can. While the organization’s project appears to align with the funding objective of the Calls for Proposals and is within the three-year limit, there are a few important criteria that are missing from their proposal. This includes their plans to scale their project over the years to explain how their activities will reach more people and increase its impact. Also, because the organization is asking for more than $180,000, their project must have regional or national scope, meaning delivered in more than one province or territory. From their description, the organization is planning to focus on delivering their activities locally, which would fall short of the eligibility requirement. Organizations applying for more than $180,000 must also have at least one partnership with a diverse group from within the disability community. Their proposal does not include any information on their proposed project partners. Because this information is missing in their proposal, it is likely that their project would be deemed ineligible.

Correct Julie! Thanks for explaining.

This concludes the video on the eligibility and ineligibility for the NAAW 2026 Call for Proposals. We hope this walkthrough helps you feel confident and ready to apply.

Be sure to check out the other short videos available, which cover the program overview as well as application process.

If you have any questions or would like more information, we’re here to help—visit the Employment and Social Development Canada funding page for next steps and resources.

Good luck, and we look forward to receiving your application!

The web address is: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/accessible-grants-accessability-week.html

Hello my name is Chris and I am Julie! Welcome to the application process video for the 2026 Call for Proposals for the Accessible Canada (AC) - National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) funding. This funding stream closes on July 28th, 2026.

During this video, we will walk through the application process, all the documentation needed for your application, how to apply, the application review process and tips on how to apply.

Let’s start by looking at what documentation is needed to apply for this call for proposal. You will need to complete the application form in the Grants and Contribution Online System (GCOS), a completed budget detailed template, and a document from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) dated within the last 2 years showing a valid business number. Chris, what is the budget detail template? Good question Julie, it is a mandatory part of the standard application for funding package. It provides budget details related to your project, and it is used for assessment purposes (to determine whether the costs provided by you are reasonable and eligible). This form is available on the Accessible Canada NAAW funding page.

Chris, what is GCOS?

Well Julie, let’s dive into that and the online application process.

Julie, you asked what is GCOS. The Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) is the accessible online funding portal of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Registering your organization for a GCOS account is a one-time process that allows you to securely apply for ESDC funding opportunities online, track the status of all your applications, sign agreements, manage active projects and send documents, and review your past applications and projects submitted through GCOS.

Chris, how can an organization register for a GCOS account?

The organization will need to click on the Register for Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) link available on the funding page and scroll down the webpage to the “What you will need to register for GCOS” section and follow the instructions carefully.

We also encourage all organizations to read and follow the GCOS User guide (Account registration and account management). This user guide link is available on the funding page.

Chris, what’s next after an organization has filled out most of the information in GCOS?

The organization needs to ensure that they have all their supporting documentation available on their computer or mobile device and upload those documents to GCOS. The steps on how to do this in more detail are available in the GCOS user guide.

Remember, you need to upload your Budget Detail Template along with any other supporting documents you could have for your proposal.

It is important to remember that ESDC will only review the first application received with the same 9-digit CRA business or registration number.

Now that we know how to apply, let’s talk about the review process and the timelines.

ESDC will first confirm the eligibility of applicant organizations and their projects. This includes verifying that the application was received on time by July 28, 2026, the application is complete and includes all supporting documents, the applicant organization is eligible; and that the project is eligible.

It is important to submit a complete application. ESDC will only assess your project if all the eligibility requirements are met.

Chris, what other things can impact an organization’s eligibility?

An organization’s past performance or issues of default in ESDC-funded projects could impact the eligibility of their application.

Next, we will assess your application based on the following criteria. Your project objectives must demonstrate how your project will meet each funding objectives. Your project activities must demonstrate that the project activities are achievable within defined timelines and demonstrate that project activities are eligible, clear and connected to the funding objectives. Your project impact and results must demonstrate that your project will produce S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) outputs and must demonstrate that it will have the required outcomes. Also, your project budget needs to ensure that costs are eligible and support the project activities. Lastly, your priorities needs to include plans for the participation of persons with disabilities in the overall project design and delivery of activities, align with key priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act, and its regulations , support NAAW activities within underrepresented communities (for example Official Language minority communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous communities like First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and lastly Equity-deserving communities, including Black and other visible minority groups).

ESDC also will have other considerations for selecting projects to fund.

What does that mean Chris?

This could mean geographical distribution to obtain coverage across Canada, multi-sectoral partnerships, partnerships among diverse groups from within the disability community, support for Official Languages within the project, such as making project-related documents available in both official languages or actively offering project-related services, and support for accessible and inclusive services within the project.

Julie, why don’t you tell us about a few important tips when applying for this CFP?

Sure thing Chris!

1. We recommend that you first complete the eligibility questionnaire located the funding pages for AC NAAW to confirm your eligibility.
2. Be sure you meet all mandatory eligibility requirements.
3. Ensure the project activities are eligible.
4. Read the prepare to apply section in the funding page to complete your application package. This section includes important details for each question and requirement.
5. Submit 1 application per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number or Business Registry number.
6. Include all required and supportive documents.
7. Submit a complete application, including the attestation (Part 5).

Chris, I should add that depending on the volume of applications received, ESDC may not contact applicants to provide missing information and will make decisions based on the information provided in the application and supporting documents.

This is great information Julie, thank you for providing these great tips.

This concludes the video on the application process for the NAAW 2026 Call for Proposals. We hope this walkthrough helps you feel confident and ready to apply.

Be sure to check out the other short videos available, which cover the program overview as well as eligibility and ineligibility requirements.

If you have any questions or would like more information, we’re here to help. Visit the Employment and Social Development Canada funding page for next steps and resources.

Good luck, and we look forward to receiving your application!

The web address is: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/accessible-grants-accessability-week.html