Frequently Asked Questions

On this page

• Funding
• Application process
• Application criteria
• Eligible costs and activities
• Review process
• Engagement
• Impact of COVID-19

Funding

• How much funding can I apply for?

  Proposed projects must be within specified funding limits, between $25,000 and $250,000. A large range of eligible funding amounts is permitted so that projects can apply for the amount of funding required to advance a feasible set of activities. Small and large project proposals are welcome.

• Can organizations receive funding from multiple federal funding programs?

  Organizations can receive funding from multiple federal funding programs. However, PHAC can't fund activities for which you are already receiving funding from another source. It's the responsibility of applicants to inform PHAC if they receive such funding from other sources.

• How many projects do you anticipate funding?

  We expect to fund between 10 to 30 projects. The number of projects funded will depend on the variety of applications received and the range of funding requested. If the majority of applications request smaller funding amounts, we may be able to fund more projects. If the majority of applications request larger amounts, we would be able to fund fewer projects. This is an anticipatory solicitation subject to available funding.

• Will there be more funds made available next year?

  At this time, only one year of funding is available under the Intersectoral Action Fund. It's expected that applicants will complete their projects within 12 months. This is an anticipatory solicitation subject to available funding.

Application process

• How do I apply for funding?

  The application process for the Intersectoral Action Fund requires the completion of a Funding Request Form. To get a copy of the Funding Request Form template and Applicant Guide, please contact phac.cgc.solicitations-csc.aspc@canada.ca and reference "Intersectoral Action Fund" in the subject line.

  PHAC will be holding information webinars following the launch of the solicitation to answer questions about the application process.

• What is the deadline for applying and is there flexibility?

  The deadline for submitting completed Funding Request Forms is 3 pm EDT July 12, 2021. All Funding Request Forms must be submitted by email to: phac.cgc.solicitations-csc.aspc@canada.ca. No extensions will be granted. Receipt of Funding Request Forms will be acknowledged by email. Please ensure that your email address is included in your application.

• How long will it take to learn whether my proposal has been successful?

  Funding isn't expected to be available before fall 2021.

• Can an organization submit more than one proposal?

  Yes. An organization can submit more than one application. However, multiple applications won't increase your chances of receiving funding, as each proposal will be assessed on its own merit.

  We encourage you to focus on submitting high quality proposals that address a specific issue or social determinant of health in your community, rather than a high number of proposals.

• Can two organizations submit a joint proposal?

  It's possible, as part of your application, to work closely with partners, involve them in the design and delivery of your project, and identify this partnership in the application. However, the application will have to list one organization as the principal applicant. This principal applicant would be the primary point of contact during the review of the application. As well, the principal applicant organization would, in the event that the proposal is successful, be the signatory to the funding agreement with PHAC and hold ultimate responsibility for meeting the terms, conditions and obligations of the funding agreement.

• Can an organization submit an application and be a partner on other applications? Can an organization be a partner on multiple applications?

  Organizations can submit a proposal as a primary applicant, and participate as a partner on other submissions. Organizations may participate as a partner on more than one proposal.

• What is required for a 'for-profit' organization to apply?

  For-profit organizations must apply in partnership with a non-profit organization. This is to ensure the project meets the needs of the community of interest, and is delivered with input from that community and the organizations which serve it. Applicants from for-profit organizations will be asked to demonstrate meaningful and appropriate community partnerships in their request for funding and will be required to submit Letters of Support from community partners with their application.

  For for-profit organizations applying in partnership with non-profit organizations, the application will need to demonstrate:

  • a significant, active and ongoing leadership role for the non-profit partner in all phases of the project
  • that the partnership approach will be effective and responsive to the needs of the project audience
  • the partnership approach will build capacity and foster leadership on intersectoral action in the community

  Letter(s) of support from the non-profit partner organization(s) must indicate:

  • their support for the approach being taken in the project
  • the specific capacities and expertise that their organization is bringing to the project
  • their commitment to being involved in the project

  Funding from the Intersectoral Action Fund can't be used to generate revenue for 'for-profit' organizations. Additional information can be found in the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request Form.

• How will PHAC support smaller organizations applying for funding?

  To support smaller organizations, PHAC has made available a large funding range so that organizations of any size can apply for an amount f money and scope of work that is consistent with their activities and capacity.

• How do I know which Stream I should apply for, and are there different funding amounts for each Stream? Should smaller organizations only apply to Stream 1?

  Applicants should apply to the Stream that reflects the primary focus of the proposed project and its activities. Although we ask that you select a single stream, project activities may include elements that extend across other streams. We recognize that the three streams of funding for intersectoral action on social determinants of health are inter-related.

  We anticipate receiving project proposals under each Stream, based on the needs of communities, and the status of intersectoral action on social determinants of health. Projects won't receive a higher score for selecting a certain Stream.

  There is no set amount of funding available under each Stream. Projects can apply for between $25,000 and $250,000 under any of the three Streams.

• Am I required to engage with sectors outside of the health sector? Is there a certain number of sectors I should identify for engagement in my application?

  Projects are required to engage with partners and stakeholders from diverse sectors, given the crosscutting nature of social determinants of health (e.g., employment, housing, food security) and the intersectoral approaches required to address them. It's expected that projects will engage with the sectors needed to holistically and collaboratively advance the project's proposed activities. The number of sectors and type of sectors engaged will depend on the project's need, focus, and scope of activities.

  Projects applying from within the health sector are expected to engage with partners and stakeholders outside of the health sector. Non-health applicants should consider whether health sector partners are needed to achieve the goals of their project.

• How are you defining community?

  The Intersectoral Action Fund considers community broadly, as a group of people who share something in common. A community can be formed from geographic location, identity factors (e.g., culture, language), shared experiences, or other attributes that create a sense of belonging of interpersonal connection among its members. Applicants are welcome to propose projects that advance action on social determinants of health through intersectoral action for diverse types of communities (e.g., communities of practice, racialized communities, identity-based communities, place-based communities).

Application criteria

• What is needed to respond to the Gender-Based Analysis Plus requirement/question?

  Your proposal will need to demonstrate that you understand your project audience, and will design and implement activities in a way that reflects a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Government of Canada refers to the consideration of these factors as Gender-Based Analysis Plus. As part of this analysis, you will need to:

  • consider intersecting factors (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability) within and between communities and how these factors might impact participants' experience with the project
  • consider how your project will include diverse groups, including those with lived experience, throughout its design and delivery
  • consider whether there are different sub-groups that you are trying to reach based on, for example, gender, age, language or other factors
  • consider who you may not be reaching. It's acceptable to focus on a specific group in order to have a meaningful impact and to ensure adequate capacity and resources for planned work. However, it's important to consider who may not be benefiting, and any implications
  • take a reflexive approach to understand and mitigate potential biases that may influence your methods, analyses and conclusions
• What is expected for the Official Language Minority Communities requirement/question?

  All proposals are expected to consider how their project may apply to Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), that is, Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec. Proposals must identify whether there are OLMCs in the area(s) in which proposed activities will take place, identify how the needs of this audience may be different from majority language speakers and explain how proposed activities will be adapted to reach OLMC audiences.

• Will a certain portion of the funding be allocated to projects that address specific communities, issues, or social determinants of health?

  There are no set targets for funding for specific communities, issues, or social determinants of health. Applicants are encouraged to apply with projects that address priorities for their communities.

• Given the COVID-19 context, can I apply to support my organization's work to raise awareness and uptakes of vaccines and/or public health practices?

  The objective of the Intersectoral Action Fund is to support action on social determinants of health by building capacity for intersectoral action within communities. While it's possible that project outcomes will benefit efforts among intersectoral partners and stakeholders to raise awareness and uptake of vaccines and/or public health practices, the primary focus of projects should align with the Fund's objective.

• How can I demonstrate the maturity of existing partnerships and initiatives in place? Are you expecting that projects should have these established before applying?

  Applicants will be asked to describe how the proposed partnerships are meaningful and appropriate for advancing the project.

  Partnerships and their state of maturity must be appropriate for the objective(s), goals(s), and activities of proposed projects. In some cases, applicants may be building capacity for intersectoral action in ways that require forging new partnerships. In other cases, applicants may seek to expand existing partnerships or work with partners to implement an initiative for intersectoral action. Both scenarios are appropriate, provided they align with the proposed project and applicants have clearly articulated who will be engaged, at what stage, and to what end.

  Letters of support provide an opportunity for existing or prospective partners to speak to their contributions to projects, and the maturity of their relationship with the applicant. Letters of support are required only for for-profit applicants; however, all applicants are encouraged to provide them to strengthen their application.

Eligible costs and activities

• What types of activities are eligible for funding?

  The Intersectoral Action Fund supports time-limited projects with activities aligned with one of the three streams of funding:

  Stream 1: Identify priority areas for collective action on social determinants of health and wellbeing

  Stream 2: Foster transformative partnerships to facilitate action on social determinants of health and wellbeing

  Stream 3: Build capacity to take action on social determinants of health and wellbeing

  The Intersectoral Action Fund doesn't provide funding to sustain regular and ongoing operations of organizations, or for health care services. Additional information is available in the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request Form.

• Will PHAC support travel and face-to-face gatherings?

  Yes, where these activities are appropriate for proposed project goals, and if virtual delivery isn't possible due to:

  • the nature of the activities
  • the intended population
  • the cultural norms or practices of the intended population
  • the realities in some northern, rural and remote communities

  However, any in person activities, or related travel costs, must comply with COVID-19 public health measures within the applicant's jurisdiction. Please refer to the National Joint Council Travel Directive for more information.

• Are employee benefits part of the funding envelope?

  Yes, benefits of up to 20% of the annual salary for both full-time and part-time employees are eligible. Salaries and benefits must be directly related to the delivery of the project. Benefits over 20% can be eligible upon confirmation of the employee's Collective Agreement or other.

• Will PHAC support virtual meeting costs and platforms?

  Expenses related to virtual meetings are eligible expenditures under the Fund. Website license feed are eligible expenses, provided they aren't the major portion of the project. Subscriptions related to the success of the project, as well as software or hardware licences, are also eligible.

Review process

• Who is responsible for reviewing the proposals and who makes the final decision?

  Proposals will first be screened by PHAC officials for completeness and to confirm the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria. Complete and eligible proposals will then be reviewed and assessed by a review committee. Reviewers will assess proposals based on criteria outlined within the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request. Projects will be recommended for funding based on their final score, as well as the project's impact on diverse settings and communities in Canada. Final funding approvals rest with PHAC.

• Are funding decisions based on funding history with the Government of Canada?

  Funding history won't be used to inform the selection of successful project, but is required to assess risk.

• How will proposals be assessed?

  General eligibility and assessment criteria are listed in the Call for Proposals. Specific assessment criteria are listed within each section of the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request Form, which can be requested from phac.cgc.solicitations-csc.aspc@canada.ca.

  Reviewers will be asked to assess each evaluation criterion. Recommendations for successful projects will be based on a combination of final score and the project's impact on capacity building for intersectoral action for diverse settings and communities in Canada.

  Applicants are encouraged to provide clear and comprehensive responses to each question, to ensure that reviewers can make a fair assessment. Additional information regarding how questions will inform the assessment is provided in the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request Form, that is, red text within each question.

• Can I appeal the decision if my proposal isn't recommended?

  Funding decisions are final; however, applicants can inquire to PHAC for feedback on their proposal to help them better prepare for future solicitations.

Engagement

• How will PHAC ensure people with lived experience are meaningfully engaged in funded projects?

  Projects are asked to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders, including people with lived experience, in ways that are appropriate and align with the project's objectives, goals, and activities. Where people with lived experience are engaged, they should be authentically and meaningfully involved in the project at the conception, design, governance, and implementation stage.

Impact of COVID-19

• How does the Intersectoral Action Fund respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities?

  The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the deeply entrenched health and social inequities that exist in Canada between populations. Importantly, COVID-19 has increased visibility of the need for intersectoral action for health and social wellbeing, as well as pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery to protect Canadians from the threat of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

  The Intersectoral Action Fund asks communities to consider how they will sustain momentum for intersectoral action on social determinants of health beyond COVID-19.

  Applicants may propose new intersectoral initiatives to address gaps or respond to challenges exposed by COVID-19, or they may propose activities to build on or advance existing intersectoral initiatives to expand reach or impact.

• How does this funding competition consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on applicants?

  In recognition of the challenges community-based organizations are facing, the Intersectoral Action Fund has streamlined the Invitation to Submit Funding Request Form to include only essential criteria. Applicants are also encouraged to consider how the changing COVID-19 context may impact proposed activities over the course of the project, and ensure that project activities operate within local public health guidance for COVID-19.