Substance Use and Addictions Program: Micro-grant funding for cannabis and vaping public education

On this page

• Micro-grant funding
• Eligible recipients
• 2021-22 Call For Proposals
  • Micro-grant funding overview
  • Cannabis micro-grant funding
  • Vaping micro-grant funding
  • Examples of projects
• Applying for funding
  • How to apply
  • Application form
  • How applications will be assessed
• If you are granted funding

Micro-grant funding

Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) introduced micro-grant funding in 2019.

Funding is awarded to test new and innovative ways to support local, small-scale projects (maximum of $1,000 in funding) that raise awareness about either the health effects of cannabis or the risks of vaping, or both.

Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients for micro-grant funding include:

• individuals who are minimum 16 years of age
• individual Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Canadian not-for-profit organizations

Individuals who receive funding from Health Canada can work with a mentor, a school, or a community organization to complete the proposed project.

This initiative is not open to federal government employees.

There are a limited number of micro-grant funding grants; therefore, it is possible that not all eligible applicants will receive funding.

2021-22 Call For Proposals

Micro-grant funding overview

Do you have a great idea to raise awareness among youth about the health effects of cannabis and/or vaping?

This is your opportunity to make a positive difference!

SUAP is offering micro-grant funding for innovative projects that provide education or awareness to youth and young adults about the health effects and risks of cannabis and vaping. The focus of these projects could include:

• deferred initiation
• reduction and prevention of harm (for example lower risk use)
• cessation

Successful submissions will be eligible for up to $1,000 of funding. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2022. Remember to stay safe! Please ensure to respect local COVID-19 public health guidelines when implementing the project.

Cannabis micro-grant funding

On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act came into force and put in place a new legislative and regulatory framework for Canada. By legalizing and regulating cannabis, raising awareness and educating Canadians about the health effects of Cannabis use is a public health priority.

Like alcohol and tobacco, cannabis has a number of health effects. Adolescents and young adults under 25 years of age have the highest prevalence of cannabis use across age groups. This population is particularly vulnerable to the effects linked with cannabis use due to its interference with brain development (e.g., emotionally, cognitively, and structurally). Consistent evidence shows that frequent and prolonged use over time is more likely to bring about harms, including mental health impacts such as dependence and the development or worsening of disorders related to anxiety and depression. These harms are further pronounced in this target population, especially when cannabis use is initiated in the early teenage years and when high potency THC products are used. Some of those harms may never fully go away.

Cannabis public education micro-grant funding will be awarded to projects that:

• help raise awareness about the health effects associated cannabis use
• target youth aged 13 to 18
• target young adults aged 19 to 24

We strongly encourage applicants to target youth and young adults among LGBTQ2+, people of colour and Indigenous Peoples.

Vaping micro-grant funding

The Canadian market for vaping is evolving rapidly and the latest evidence from the Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey suggests that many youth have tried and are currently using vaping products.

For vaping micro-grant funding, we will be funding projects that help raise awareness on the harms and risks of vaping among youth (age 13-18).

Examples of projects

There are many types of projects and activities you can undertake to raise awareness about the health effects of cannabis or vaping.

Here are a few examples that may inspire your project:

• host a virtual or community event to raise awareness
• work with a local youth organization to disseminate information
• translate existing resources in a language other than English or French for further distribution
• adapt or circulate existing public education resources, such as our Pursue Your Passion toolkit, or from the Consider the Consequences youth vaping prevention campaign
• in cooperation with your school council, host an event at your school: bring in a professional speaker, launch trivia games, or other interactive activities to engage your peers
• organize a workplace event to educate your colleagues about the effects of cannabis or vaping - and what to do if you suspect someone is using

Applying for funding

How to apply

Fill out and sign the application form and email it to us at hc.suapmicrogrants-pudsmicrosubventions.sc@canada.ca.

Application form

Please download a copy of the application form to your computer.

How applications will be assessed

Projects must demonstrate:

• potential to raise awareness about the health effects of either cannabis or vaping
• a positive impact on their target audience
• involvement of youth in the design and delivery of the project

Funding approval may also take into consideration geographic distribution, as well as other factors such as reach and potential for impact on youth and young adults.

If you are granted funding

After your project is complete, you are required to share the results on social media using the following hashtags #HC_Micro_SC2022 and either #cannabis (cannabis projects), #vaping (vaping projects), or #cannabis and #vaping (for combined projects). Proof of social media postings must be emailed to hc.suapmicrogrants-pudsmicrosubventions.sc@canada.ca within 2 weeks of project completion. Results may include photos, details on what the project is about, when it took place, how many individuals and/or groups participated, and what the outcome was, including any successes or failures.