Prepare to apply

What is your organization's legal name? The legal name is usually:

• the name on your registration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or provincial/territorial equivalent, or
• the name used on funding cheques, bank accounts, etc.

What is the operating (or common) name of your organization (if it differs from the legal name)?

For each unique 9-digit CRA business or registration number, organizations may only submit one application under this Call for Proposals (CFP).

In the event that multiple applications with the same 9-digit CRA business or registration number are submitted, ESDC will only review the first application received.

If you are not already a registered Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) user, you will be required to provide a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) document showing your valid business number. This document must be no more than 2 years old.

Choose one of the following:

• not-for-profit organization
• for-profit organization with up to 99 full-time equivalent employees
• municipal government where the population of the municipality is less than 100,000 according to the 2021 census
• territorial government
• Indigenous organization including:
  • First Nations
  • Inuit
  • Métis Nation
  • Non-affiliated

This question is mandatory. Select the most appropriate category from the following based on what you chose in question 4.

• Not-for-profit sector
  • Local community, charitable, or voluntary
• Indigenous organizations
• Private (businesses with up to 99 full time equivalent employees)
  • Private sector (businesses, private schools, etc.)
  • Businesses (incorporated or unincorporated)
• Public
  • Municipal governments and agencies where the population of the municipality is less than 100,000 (as per the 2021 census)
  • Territorial governments

What year was your organization established?

What is your organization's address? Give a complete address in a format recognized by Canada Post. For more information, please visit Canada Post website.

What is your organization's telephone number, website and email address?

What is the mailing address of your organization? (If it differs from the organization's physical address.)

What is your organization's telephone number? (If different from your organization’s number.)

You must:

• describe your organization's main activities, including your mission and your mandate
• describe the governance structure of your organization

If available, you can provide the link (web address) of your organization's website.

Who is the primary contact person for the proposed project? Provide the contact information for the person who will be ESDC's primary contact person in respect to your application for funding. Include the following details:

• Question 22: Given (first) name and surname (last name)
• Question 23: What is the title of the contact person named in question 22? For example:
  • business owner
  • president
  • executive director
• Question 24: What official language would your contact person prefer to use in written and spoken communications? Choose either English or French.
• Question 25: Indicate if your address is the same as the organization address, the mailing address, or different. If it is different, provide the following for the primary contact person (questions 26 to 32):
• Question 26: Contact address
• Question 27: City or town
• Question 28: Province or territory
• Question 29: Country
• Question 30: Postal Code
• Question 31: Telephone number, including extension (if applicable)
• Question 32: E-mail address (note this is where all correspondence will be sent)

If ESDC cannot reach the primary contact, who else can the Department contact? Provide the secondary contact's full name, telephone number where the Department can reach them during business hours and their email address.

• Question 33: Given (first) name and surname (last name)
• Question 34: What is the title of the contact person named in question 33? For example:
  • business owner
  • president
  • executive director
• Question 35: What official language would your contact person prefer to use in written and spoken communications? Choose either English or French.
• Question 36: Indicate if your address is the same as the organization address, the mailing address, or different. If it is different, provide the following for the secondary contact person (Questions 37 to 43):
  • Question 37: Contact address
  • Question 38: City or town
  • Question 39: Province or territory
  • Question 40: Country
  • Question 41: Postal Code
  • Question 42: Telephone number, including extension
  • Question 43: E-mail address

If no, please describe how your organization is managed.

• Human Resources - Indicate - "Yes" or "No"
• Occupational Health and Safety - Indicate "Yes" or "No"
• Other - "Yes" or "No"

If no, please describe how your organization addresses the areas of Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety.

Financial Management System (for example, tracking expenses, general ledger, etc.) Indicate "Yes" or "No".

Policies and procedures - Indicate "Yes" or "No".

Staff Managing Finances - Indicate "Yes" or "No".

If no, please provide details on how finances are managed within your organization.

If yes, please describe the contracts that you plan to have with third parties. Does your organization have controls in place to verify that the funded amount can be accounted for? Please describe this in the space provided.

Indicate the total number of people employed in your organization or business. The number of employees must be a whole number.

For this funding process, important transformations refer to events such as:

• a change in leadership in the board of directors or at the executive level
• a significant reduction, increase or turnover in staff
• a merger with or split from another organization
• a change in mandate or main activities
• etc.

If you answer "Yes", provide a description of the changes.

You must describe if you have completed similar accessibility projects and what the results and impact on the community were.

If “Yes”, complete the fields for each amount owing.

Answering “Yes” will not make your application ineligible. However, you must provide details about the type of debt owed.

If you have a payment plan in place to repay the debt, check “Yes” under Question 51, otherwise check “No”. You may be asked to provide the current arrangements for repayment during the assessment of your application.

Give a short title that describes your project.

When do you plan to start and end your project?

Your project must be ready to start spending funds on activities by December 1, 2026, and be completed within 24 months of the project start date.

You should not start your project until you hear from the Department. Costs incurred before a funding agreement is signed by your organization and the Department may not be reimbursed, and the project may no longer be eligible for funding.

This question is mandatory. Outline the objective(s) of your project. Your objective(s) must be clearly linked to the objectives of the program you are applying to.

You must address all of the items below and explain how, as a result of the funding, the project will enable Canadians with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their workplace (or for Indigenous-led organizations, community accessibility projects).

1. For non-Indigenous-led workplace accessibility projects, funding must support efforts to eliminate infrastructure and technology barriers, improve safety, and enhance accessibility in environments where persons with disabilities are currently employed. These projects must also promote inclusive practices for future employees, as well, you must:
   • demonstrate at the time of the application that you employ one or more persons with disabilities
   • provide a detailed description of the barriers being addressed and explain how the proposed activities will remove them
   • describe your hiring plans to support workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities
   • clearly explain how employment opportunities for persons with disabilities will be created, maintained or improved
2. For Indigenous-led workplace accessibility projects, funding must support efforts to eliminate infrastructure and technology barriers, improve safety, and enhance accessibility in environments where job opportunities are available, will be created and/or maintained for persons with disabilities. Additionally, you must:
   • provide a detailed description of the barriers being addressed and explain how the proposed activities will remove them
   • describe your hiring plans to support workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities
   • clearly explain how employment opportunities for persons with disabilities will be created, maintained or improved
3. For Indigenous-led community accessibility projects, funding must support efforts to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities and ensure increased accessibility to community facilities where programs or services are offered. Additionally, you must:
   • provide a detailed description of the barriers being addressed and explain how the proposed activities will remove them
   • provide the estimated number of persons with disabilities who are expected to benefit from your accessibility project
   • clearly explain how the project will increase access to programs and services

Project activities are the steps you will take to meet your goals. They should be specific, measurable, realistic and relevant.

Eligible activities must target systemic accessibility barriers - not individual accommodation needs.

For example, a local warehouse committed to hiring individuals with disabilities through supportive work programs received funding to install automatic door openers throughout the building. As a result, employees are now able to access all areas of the building without barriers or safety concerns. The new automatic door openers create safety and inclusion in the organization, which has led to increased independence for all workers.

Instructions: You must provide a project workplan that describes the project activities and timelines broken down by activity and in chronological sequence. For each of the main activities, you are strongly encouraged to use the following model as a guide in preparing your project workplan.

You may use the format below or upload your workplan as a separate document. Your application will be assessed using the information provided in your workplan.

Suggested workplan format:

Activity 1: title

1. Activity description
   • Breakdown (listing) of flat rate activities
   • Breakdown (listing) of non flat rate activities
2. Sub-Activity description (what needs to be accomplished to complete each activity)
3. Dimensions of space where activity will take place (for example: square feet, new or existing space)
4. Description of space where the activity will take place:
   • description of necessary building system (electricity, plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
   • finishes (including those with accessibility features)
5. Estimated activity start and end date
6. Construction timeframe (for example, tendering, permits, approvals, construction requirements)
7. State of readiness (what is required before the activity can start)
8. Activity costs must be in Canadian dollars including sub-activity costs that are either provided by the 2026 EAF Calculator or supported by a contractor's quote (under the "Other activities" section in the 2026 EAF Calculator).
9. Risk and mitigation strategies (consideration for delays in preparation, material delivery, construction timeframes, or anything that could affect the activity timelines and how you are prepared to address it)
10. Contingency funds (explain how you have considered the risks from a financial perspective)

Example of a completed workplan:

Activity 1. Front Entrance

1. Main activity description: Flat rate activity: reconfigure front entrance of the facility to allow for better accessibility
2. Sub-activities description: Remove existing front doors and install power doors with push button
3. Dimensions or square feet: Front doors would be 74" x 86"
4. Description of the space: persons with disabilities will be able to enter the building without outside help
   • Description of necessary building system: pavement, concrete, electrical wiring for front entrance
   • Finishes: door would be glass and steel with color-contrasting painting and finishing
5. Estimated start and end date: 2 weeks (September 10 2027, to September 24, 2027)
6. Construction timeframe: We determined how to hire a contractor to complete the work. We will launch a tendering process as soon as our project is approved. The tendering process is expected to take 4 weeks
7. State of readiness: We have consulted a design professional who is prepared to work with us should we receive funding
8. Activity cost in Canadian dollars: $56,750
9. Risks and mitigation strategy: Potential delays in receiving the materials; this has been accounted for in the project timelines. We will contact our Program Officer and adjust our project workplan if required
10. Breakdown of contingency funds: The total of our contingency funds for the project is $226,000. We will set aside $10,000 for the front entrance work. Contingency is not an eligible project cost for EAF funding.

Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that the project fully complies with local building code restrictions and requirements and other relevant federal and provincial/territorial laws and regulations.

You are also responsible for ensuring your project meets or exceeds accessibility standards and requirements such as those in the Canadian Standards Association's "Accessible Design for the Built Environment" (PDF Format) and those provided by ESDC.

Note: All efforts should be made to purchase items in Canada. When this is not possible, please be sure to include an explanation in your workplan.

Your project must consist of a minimum request for $500,000 in funding and you can not ask for more than $1 million from ESDC. All activities must be accessibility specific.

For all activities you must describe your expected results. Describe the impact this project will have on persons with disabilities in accessing the facility, work opportunities or allowing them to maintain or improve their current employment status.

Your expected results must be clearly linked to the project objectives and be specific, concrete and measurable.

• Specific: define how the results will link to the objectives of this funding process
• Concrete: results must provide sufficient details
• Measurable: ensure that the expected results are quantifiable and tangible

You must list your outputs and outcomes. Here are the definitions:

Outputs are direct products or services that you will produce to get the outcomes you want. They answer the question, "What will the project produce?"

Examples could include:

• 1 fully accessible workplace kitchen
• 10 accessible parking spaces for persons with disabilities
• a new accessible facility located in a remote region

Outcomes are the short-term and medium-term changes that you expect the project to deliver. You can link more than one outcome to an objective. Outcomes answer the question, "How do we know the project is a success?"

Examples could include:

• increased employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by making the front desk accessible
• increased cooking classes for persons with disabilities by offering a class for up to 6 persons, twice a week (Indigenous-led - community accessibility projects)

It is important to note that organizations that receive EAF funding will be required to report on the results of their accessibility project, including progress reporting throughout the life of the agreement.

Reporting requirements post agreement will be:

• 60 days following the agreement end date, the Recipient shall provide ESDC with a final report on the results of the project, which will include questions on the success of the project and benefits for persons with disabilities. The template for this final report will be provided by ESDC. Additionally, "before" and "after" pictures of the project will be required at time of final report submission
• one year following the agreement end date, the Recipient shall provide ESDC with an annual report on the results of the project, which will include metrics on the impact the project has had on persons with disabilities interacting with your organization. The template of this annual report will be provided by ESDC

Your answer to this question must be "yes".

You must ensure that the indicators you chose to measure are:

• specific, relevant, time-based, and targeted, and
• easy to measure and can be achieved within the proposed timeframe

You must:

• describe how you plan to gather, measure and report on results achieved by your project (for example, a survey)
• describe how you plan to assess the impact of the improved accessibility on persons with disabilities in your workplace or the community space as a result of the project activities

Your answer to this question must be “yes”.

You must describe the current employment situation for employees with disabilities within your organization (for workplace projects) or the programs and services that your organization offer that address the social or labour market integration needs of persons with disabilities (for Indigenous-led organizations only, community accessibility projects).

This question is mandatory. State where your project activities will be taking place. If “yes”, give the main address first and then add other addresses. It is important to describe where each of the project activities will take place.

ESDC commits to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minorities in Canada. ESDC supports and assists their development and fosters the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. Official language minority communities are English-speaking communities established within the province of Québec and French-speaking communities established outside the province of Québec.

Answering "No" to this question will not invalidate your application.

If your proposed project involves official language minority communities, you should answer "yes" to this question. Complete the question following the instructions in the application form.

Find more information about official language minority communities.

Indicate “Yes” or “No”.

If yes, select the specific target group(s) that applies to your project.

Answer “No” to this question. This will be addressed in Question 77.

Not applicable for this funding process. Answer “No” to this question.

When prompted in GCOS, click the link to access the online calculator and follow the instructions.

The EAF 2026 calculator will generate amounts based on your selections. The following 14 activities are considered flat rate.

• ramps
• accessible washrooms
• accessible doors
• elevators
• accessible lifts
• pool lifts
• multi-sensory rooms and stations
• accessible playgrounds
• accessible parking
• accessible drop-off areas
• accessible electric vehicle charging stations
• accessible kitchen
• accessible drinking fountains and hand wash stations
• accessible multi-purpose rooms

For more information on flat rate, please refer to the EAF flat rate information sheet.

A flow chart is available to help you choose the accessibility project that is right for your organization.

You must submit a calculator for all activities including flat rate. If you are aware of exceptional circumstances that result in your flat rate project costs varying from the EAF 2026 calculator, please provide a justification in your project workplan (under Question 57), provide a completed calculator for the flat rate activity, and attach a quote to your application to support your costs. Quotes for flat rate activities will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances with an acceptable rationale.

One quote from a certified or professional contractor is required for all non-flat rate accessibility-specific project activities.

All quotes for non-flat rate activities ("Other Activities" in the calculator) must clearly demonstrate the costs for the accessibility-specific project activities. You must list each non-flat rate activity cost in the calculator as individual activities, and each cost must match exactly with a separate line item in your quote. General construction costs are not eligible under this CFP. If your quote includes general construction costs (for example: new walls, new ceiling, new plumbing / electrical / HVAC, etc.) you must remove these costs from the amounts you input under "Other Activities" in the calculator. ESDC will validate the amount you input in the calculator for each non-flat rate activity against your quote, and each dollar amount must match exactly between your calculator and your quote.

Examples of eligible activities:

• construction and renovation and/or retrofit of accessibility-specific activities such as:
  • replacing carpet flooring with non-slip flooring
  • enhanced lighting to increase accessibility for people with low vision
  • replacing round doorknobs (difficult to grasp for people with dexterity disabilities) with accessible handles (for example D-shaped handles)
  • implementing wayfinding through appropriate signage, tactile cues, and paint with contrasting colours
  • building continuous accessible pedestrian pathways between outdoor amenities and an accessible building entrance. To be accessible, the routes must have:
    • proper grading
    • include signage directing people through the walkways
    • ramps when necessary
• provision of information and communication technologies, specifically designed to eliminate barriers, such as:
  • screen readers, captioning software, accessible website modifications (refer to the specific eligibility requirements on the ICT and Equipment Eligibility webpage)
  • audio visual safety alarm system (refer to the Guidance for EAF projects)
• provision of equipment specifically designed for persons with disabilities, such as:
  • adaptive recreation equipment
  • safety equipment such as evacuation chairs
  • workplace equipment (refer to the specific eligibility requirements on the ICT and Equipment Eligibility webpage)

Examples of ineligible activities:

• retrofit of motor vehicles
• construction, renovation or retrofit activities that aim to decorate or improve the esthetics of a building or its surroundings
• construction, renovation or retrofit activities for personal use
• commercial project activities intended to generate a profit (for example, a for-profit organization that sells or rents portable ramps)
• furniture or equipment that does not include specific features that increase accessibility for persons with disabilities. For example:
  • ergonomic chairs and other alternative seating
  • sit-stand desks
  • lockers
  • refrigerators
  • Interac terminals
  • defibrillators
• landscaping for esthetic purposes
• computers, laptops, or tablets
• professional accessibility-related services (for example: translation from one language to another, conversion of written content into accessible formats, sign language interpretation, etc.)

Examples of eligible costs (not limited to):

• professional fees such as architects, engineers, construction consultants, and contractors
• costs for the construction or the renovation of a building, including materials, supplies and labour (not wages for employees in your organization) specifically for accessibility features only
• costs for the purchase or rental of tools, equipment or machinery necessary to complete the project
• taxes (only the portion for which you do not receive a rebate)
• shipping costs where items are not available locally
  • other costs approved as part of the funding agreement with ESDC

Examples of ineligible costs (not limited to):

• general construction costs, including but not limited to:
  • construction of the building envelope (for example : new walls, roofs, ceilings, windows, etc.)
  • construction of the building rough-in (for example: new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.)
• contingency funds for the project
  • training costs associated with the project
  • routine repairs and maintenance costs, or general operating costs (for example, overhead, administrative, amenities costs, etc.)
  • any expenditure for which the recipient or a third party is eligible for a rebate (for example, GST/HST rebate)
  • expenditures of land
  • financing charges and interest expenditures
  • legal fees
  • cost associated with feasibility, planning (including sustainability plans) and marketing studies, including environmental assessments
  • costs related to the research and the development of a technology
  • costs related to the commercialization, the marketing and the promotion of a product or a service
  • salaries and benefits for employees in your organization

All 2026 EAF applicants are exempt from providing leveraging.

You are responsible for covering all other costs necessary for the project’s success (for example, general construction costs, and any costs that exceed the maximum funding amount of $1,000,000).

If available at time of applying, include the names of the other sources of funding that will contribute to your project. Indicate whether the other sources of funds are internal or external to your organization.

Indicate the amount of funding that you will be requesting from ESDC. This amount will be available after you have completed the online EAF 2026 Calculator. Enter the amount from your PDF "Total estimated eligible costs of your project" and enter the amount from the line titled "Total funding request from ESDC".

Indicate what type of organization is providing the contribution from the following options:

• not-for-profit organization
• registered charity
• municipal government
• provincial and territorial government, institution and Crown Corporation
• Indigenous organization including:
  • band council
  • tribal council
  • self-government entity
• international organization
• coalition, network or committee
• research organization or institute
• educational institution
• public health and social service institution
• for‑profit organization

Indicate how much confirmed and/or unconfirmed cash contributions you plan to receive.

Here is an example:

Check all statements that apply to your planned spending of the funds from ESDC.

In carrying out the project, you may need contractors or third parties (outside providers) to carry out part of the project activities, (for example, reporting).

"Associated businesses or individuals" means:

• an officer, director or employee of your organization, or a member of their immediate family
• a business in which an officer, director or employee of your organization, or a member of their immediate family, has a financial interest
• a business connected to your organization

Third party: a person or organization that has signed an agreement with the organization under the terms and conditions of a master agreement between the organization and the federal government.

Indicate "Yes" or "No".

If "Yes", explain how your project will benefit from the purchase of capital assets. A disposal plan for the capital assets should also be included.

A capital asset is any single or composite asset with a purchase value of more than $1,000 (before taxes) that is not physically incorporated into another product and that remains functional at the end of the project.

A composite asset is a collection of unique assets that form one identifiable functional unit, where all components are required for the asset to be functional. The collection of assets is treated as a single capital asset if the total cost of all individual items together is greater than $1,000 (before taxes).

Please check the appropriate box in the form. If you are an Indigenous organization, select the N/A box.

Please check the appropriate box(es) in your application and specify.

Please check the appropriate box in your application. If more than 10, specify.

Please explain your answers in the space provided.

Please check the appropriate boxes in the form and provide additional information on the state of readiness of your accessibility project in the space provided.

You must check at least one of the boxes in the form and explain how you obtained the support from the selected box(es).

Please check at least one of the boxes in the form to indicate the type of support.

Please check the appropriate box for each option. Explain the accessibility barriers that won’t be covered by your project for the “partially accessible/not accessible” choice in the text box.

This question is asked for statistical purposes ONLY. Your answer will not impact your funding request.

Please check the appropriate box.