CanCode program 2026-2028: Applicant guide

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Table of contents

General Information

This guide explains how to apply to the fifth phase of the CanCode program.

Funded projects may begin as early as Fall 2026 and must finish by March 31, 2028. All funded activities supported through CanCode funding must be fully completed by this date.

How to apply

CanCode is now closed for applications.

Deadline to apply

The deadline to submit all documents to the CanCode inbox was Aug 6, 2026, at 12:00 noon PST, Pacific Standard Time.

What to submit

When you submit your application, include the following required documents:

  • CanCode Application form
  • CanCode Quantitative data workbook
  • Proof of incorporation as a not-for-profit organization in Canada
  • Audited financial statements for the last two years

Organizations located and operating in the province of Québec

If your project is approved for funding, you may need to obtain authorization from the Government of Québec before accepting the funding. Consult the following resources:

Contact information

This Applicant Guide is designed to help you complete the CanCode Application form and the Quantitative data workbook. If you have additional questions, please consult the CanCode program website.

For general inquiries, you can contact the CanCode team by email at cancode-codecan@ised-isde.gc.ca.

Please note that Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada does not provide support in developing or writing applications.

Program overview and objectives

Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has launched the fifth phase of the CanCode program following the 2026 Spring Economic Update.

This phase of the program will invest up to $30 million over two fiscal years (2026-2027 to 2027-28). The program supports Canadian students from kindergarten to grade 12 (k-12) and their teachers with opportunities to develop digital skills, including coding, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, digital content creation, and use of digital tools and technologies.

CanCode places a strong focus on reaching underrepresented groups in STEM, including girls, Indigenous youth, Black youth, youth with disabilities, and youth living in rural, remote and northern communities.

Through this funding, CanCode aims to:

  • Provide students (k-12) with opportunities to build digital skills such coding, AI, data analytics, digital content creation, and use of digital tools and technologies
  • Offer digital skills training and professional development for pre-service, elementary and secondary teachers
  • Develop educational resources that support digital skills learning and teacher training
  • Increase participation of underrepresented groups

Program definitions

Digital skills
Digital skills are the abilities needed to use computers, software and the internet.

CanCode supports the development of digital skills among students (k-12), including coding, AI, data analytics, digital content creation, and use of digital tools and technologies. The program aims to shift youth from being passive consumers of digital content to becoming active creators of digital technologies and content.

Underrepresented groups in STEM
CanCode places a strong focus on supporting youth who are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM). These groups include:

  • Girls (including those who identify as girls)
  • Black youth
  • Indigenous youth
  • Youth with disabilities
  • Youth residing in rural, remote* and northern communities**

* Rural and remote areas are communities with fewer than 100,000 people and located outside the commuting zones of major metropolitan centers.
** Northern reach: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Requirements for CanCode funding

Eligibility criteria

Important – An organization needs to meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for a full assessment, based on the merit criteria.

To be eligible for CanCode funding, applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities will support the CanCode program's objectives and expected results.

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit corporations*, incorporated under federal, provincial or territorial law in Canada. Applicants must provide proof of incorporation. Your application must clearly demonstrate the following:

  • All required documents are included:
    • CanCode application form
    • Quantitative data workbook
    • Proof of Incorporation as a not-for-profit organization in Canada
    • Audited financial statements for the last two years
  • Your organization or partner has at least three consecutive years of experience delivering digital skills initiatives, with a proven track record of success. For returning recipients, past results will be considered
  • Your proposed initiative will focus on underrepresented groups in STEM
  • The initiative will be delivered at no cost to participants (no user fees)
  • Your organization has the resource capacity and expertise, either internally or through partnerships, to deliver the initiative within the program time frame ending March 31, 2028, and agree to measure and report on results quarterly
  • Your organization's mission and mandate align with the objectives of the CanCode program

*Not-for-profit organizations are legal entities incorporated under federal, provincial, or territorial legislation for purposes other than generating a profit for shareholders(s). Post-secondary institutions, schools, school boards, and school districts are not eligible to apply for CanCode funding. However, these organizations may partner with eligible not-for-profit organizations to deliver program activities.

Note: Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other not-for-profit organizations when submitting a proposal. One not-for-profit organization must act as the lead applicant and submit the application on behalf of all partners. Partners organizations involved in the same initiative cannot submit a separate application for the same project.

Merit criteria
To be considered for a full assessment, applicants must first meet all eligibility criteria. Merit criteria are used to rank eligible applications and determine funding priorities. The following factors will be considered:

Project description and geographic reach
Description of the proposed project, including location(s) and geographic reach, work plan, budget, schedule, project benefits/results, and all information deemed necessary to assess the application

Inclusivity of underrepresented groups
Greater weight is given to applicants that demonstrate a plan and their capacity to deliver programming with a strong focus on reaching traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM, including:

  • Girls, including those who identify as girls
  • Indigenous youth
  • Black youth
  • Youth with disabilities
  • Youth living in rural, remote, or northern communities
  • Teachers supporting these groups

Instructor representation
It is encouraged that people from the underrepresented groups being taught are present in the room during instruction. This means that while not all mentors or teachers need to be female, Black, Indigenous, or have a disability, there should be individuals from these communities present in the teaching environment. This ensures that youth have someone they can identify with. Identify in your application how this will be achieved.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Additional consideration is given in the evaluation process to applicants that plan to teach responsible use of AI

Organization overview, capacity and qualifications, and previous performance if applicable
Evaluators will consider:

  • The organization's history, purpose, directors, governance and experience.
  • Stability of leadership and staff
  • The organization's capacity to undertake and successfully complete the project, including the qualifications of key stakeholders carrying out the proposed activities.
  • The organization's project contributors and/or partners, including their roles and resources in support of the project.
  • Representation that the organization is in good standing with regard to all federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal laws and regulations.
  • If applicable, the organization's previous performance under ISED funded project(s), including:
    • Funds management
    • Achievement of targets
    • Compliance of contribution agreement
    • Effective communication
    • Timeliness

Funding history and financial health of the organization

  • The organization's past and current funding history with ISED.
  • Financial statements for the last two years to support the application for funding are required to assess the organization's financial viability.
  • The amount of any other federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government assistance received or likely to be received for the project.

Pivot plan in case of reduced funding from what is being initially asked for
Description of how the organization would pivot or adjust its project plan and activities in the event that they receive less funding from ISED than is being requested, including any prioritization strategies.

Risk management and self-sustainability plan

  • Applicants must identify potential project risks and outline mitigation strategies. Examples of risk and mitigation strategy:
    • Risk: Limited equipment or internet access
    • Mitigation: Provide laptops or tablets, offer offline coding activities, or partner with local libraries and community centres
  • The organization's plan to be self-sustainable by the end of the program

Anticipated training locations
Applicants should ensure that proposed locations are accessible to the target audience and the resources needed to deliver the initiative. Locations should also support outreach to traditionally underrepresented groups, including those in rural, remote and northern communities.

Application assessment criteria

Application evaluation process
All applications are reviewed for quality and completeness through a two stage assessment process:

Gate 1: Pre-screening

  • The pre-screening stage is an initial review to confirm that applications meet eligibility criteria
  • Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be notified by email and will not move forward in this round of CanCode funding

Gate 2: Full evaluation

  • Applications that pass pre-screening undergo a full evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses. Each application is reviewed by at least two reviewers, with additional reviewers if needed.
  • Eligible applications are assessed using a principles-based approach against the program's eligibility criteria and merit criteria:
    • Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed project meets each criterion
    • Strong applications provide clear explanations rather than simply stating that a requirement will be met
    • ISED may remove incomplete applications from considerations

Note: CanCode program management will make funding recommendations to the Minister of Industry. There is no appeal process.

Quantitative data workbook

The Quantitative data workbook is used to outline the proposed project's budget.

The budget must meet the following requirements:

  • All requested funding must be for eligible costs of the CanCode program
  • Requested funding must be reasonable and necessary to the project and achieve its objectives
  • Requested funding from ISED must not exceed $5 million per fiscal year per stream
  • Funding requested for each fiscal year must be detailed separately
  • The budget must identify in-kind contributions, other government funding and all other sources of funding, including partners and contributors
  • Eligible in-kind contributions must be included in the total project cost. To be eligible, in-kind contributions must involve goods or services that are necessary for the project and eligible under the program. These contributions must be detailed in the application but will not be reimbursed by ISED

Eligible activities

Proposed CanCode project activities must directly align with at least one of the program's two funding streams.

Stream 1: Students training

  • Development and delivery of interactive training and skills development initiatives for Canadian students (K-12) build foundational digital skills
  • Activities may include coding, AI, data analytics, digital content creation, and use of digital tools and technologies

Stream 2: Teachers training

  • Development and delivery of interactive training and professional development for teachers to build the skills and confidence needed to effectively integrate digital skills, including coding, AI, data analytics and related concepts in the classroom
  • Development of educational resources that support digital skills learning for students and professional development

Note: Applicants may apply to one funding stream or to both, depending on the scope of their proposed initiative.

Eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures are costs that are reasonable, necessary and directly related to the approved project. All must comply to the terms and conditions of the CanCode program and will be detailed in the contribution agreement. The following expenditures may be eligible:

  • Costs associated with delivering coding initiatives and digital skills training such as program design, communication and outreach, salaries, room rentals
  • Up to a maximum of 10% of eligible costs associated and incurred related to incremental administrative expenses, such as administrative salaries, overhead, accounting, and office supplies. Exceptions may apply with respect to organizations headquartered in Canada's North (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) in which up to a maximum of 30% of eligible costs associated with such administrative expenditures may be eligible, such percentage will be considered and negotiated at the time of signing a contribution agreement
  • Up to a maximum of 20% of eligible costs associated with expenditures for the purchase, rental, or repair of technological equipment or materials (e.g., computers, tablets, technology-based consumables, etc.) required to deliver the CanCode-funded programming. Eligible costs associated with technological equipment and materials will be considered only in cases where an organization demonstrates the need for such equipment to expand or scale-up an existing program
  • Travel and accommodation costs must be within Canada and must comply with the National Joint Council's Travel directive at time of travel

Ineligible expenditures

Ineligible expenses are costs that cannot be funded through the CanCode program.

Examples include:

  • Costs that are not related to the CanCode program. If unsure, applicants should confirm with the CanCode program team prior incurring to the expense
  • Employment benefits other than the Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs)
  • Costs incurred before the date of eligibility or after the project completion date
  • Accounting or administrative expenses related to existing organizational activities
  • Costs associated with construction of or major renovation of buildings or structures
  • The purchase or lease of land
  • Amortization costs (spreading the cost of an asset over a time)
  • Hospitality expense where the primary beneficiary is the organization or an ineligible participant group
  • All costs associated with travel outside Canada

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Recipients must refer to the Contribution agreement and the CanCode program for further details.

Program administration

Funding amount and payments
Funding through the CanCode program is provided as non-repayable contributions. The amount of funding allocated to the project is determined based on the minimum level of support needed to meet the program's objectives.

Requirements for document retention and reporting will be detailed in the contribution agreement.

Timing and methods of payments
Retroactive reimbursement of eligible costs a recipient incurred for the period of time between the date their application was deemed fully complete and submitted, to the date the Contribution Agreement is fully signed, up to a maximum period of six months prior to the signing of the Contribution Agreement may be supported.

  • Any eligible costs incurred by an applicant whose proposal has not been selected will not be reimbursed by the CanCode program. Furthermore, even if an applicant is advised that its project has been approved and the applicant starts incurring costs, no costs are eligible for reimbursement unless a contribution agreement is ultimately signed between the applicant and ISED. Any costs incurred prior to the signing of a contribution agreement would be incurred solely at the applicant's risk without obligation of payment by ISED for any such incurred costs
  • Payments to recipients will be made in accordance with applicable contribution agreements and may be issued in one of the following ways:
    • Payments based on documented claims for eligible costs incurred, submitted no more than once per quarter
    • Advance payments may be considered on exceptional circumstances based on a recipient's quarterly cash flow requirements submitted, and when no other reasonable alternative exists. Recipients must provide satisfactory evidence that all eligible expenditures have been incurred and paid for each fiscal year, as required by ISED
    • Quarterly: Each claim must include a progress report that describes the work completed during the reporting period, based on the program's performance indicators. The claim must also include documentation for all eligible costs being submitted, in a template that will be provided to recipients. The report should outline progress toward project milestones and activities, and all claims must be certified by an authorized officer of the recipient. The program may request additional evidence at any time to verify that all eligible costs claimed have incurred and paid
    • Before issuing final payments, the program may withhold, at any point, an amount from the total eligible costs claimed until all required documentation has been received. The percentage of the holdback will be determined based on the amounts of the Contribution set out in the Project Budget and the current Assessment of Risk.

Maximum contributions and stacking limits

CanCode proposal applications may include funding from other federal departments and agencies, other levels of government, private sector or not-for-profit partners. However, the total funding from all government sources (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of eligible costs

Monitoring, guidance and support

ISED will work with the recipient throughout the project to monitor progress and provide guidance on relevant policies. This may include attending meetings or classes as an observer. Regular communication between ISED and the recipient will support effective information sharing and help ensure the project remains on track.

Official languages

The CanCode program's call for proposals and related funding decisions will be announced in both official languages, in accordance with the Official Languages Act. Program materials, including templates, websites, reference documents, and applicant or recipient support, will also be available in both official languages.

Any nation-wide communications or public announcements will be provided in both official languages. Additional official languages requirements will be determined on a case by case basis.

Lobbying Act

Recipients must comply with the Lobbying Act throughout the entire application process and for the full duration of any CanCode-funded project. Before communicating with government officials about an application, recipients should review the requirements of the Act to ensure they understand their obligations. For more information on lobbying rules and compliance, applicants can consult the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada.

Appendix A: Glossary

Applicant Individual or entity that has applied for a transfer payment.
Contribution Transfer payment subject to performance conditions specified in a contribution agreement. A contribution is to be accounted for and is subject to audit.
Contributions are non-repayable per the terms and conditions of CanCode.
Contribution amount The minimum, reasonable amount of assistance that is required by the eligible recipient to ensure that an eligible project is successfully completed as proposed, and meets program objectives and contributes to expected results.
Contributor Partner that provides cash or in-kind contributions to the applicant/recipient's project.
Eligibility date Earliest date on which eligible costs may be incurred. Cannot be prior to the date that the application for funding has been submitted and received by the program.
Eligible costs Project costs that are incurred by the recipient and which, in the opinion of the Minister, are reasonable and required to carry out the eligible activities to which they relate. Eligible costs are those costs on which the contribution will be paid.
Ineligible costs Project costs that are not eligible under the program.
In-kind contributions Non-monetary resources and cash-equivalent goods or services provided to the applicant/recipient in support of the project. The in-kind contributions must be for goods or services that are both eligible under the program and necessary to deliver the project.
Partner An entity that may receive funding from the applicant/recipient in support of direct delivery of the project activities.
Recipient Individual or entity that has been authorized to receive a transfer payment or that has received a transfer payment.
Primary recipient The lead individual or entity on a multi-applicant application that has been authorized to receive a transfer payment or that has received a transfer payment.
Terms and conditions Approved authorities which sets out the parameters under which transfer payments may be made for a given program.
Total government funding Total funding provided by the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments for the project.
Total eligible costs Total amount of project costs that are eligible under the program and for which the contribution will be paid. Total eligible costs exclude costs that are deemed ineligible under the program.
Total project cost The total cost of the project including those that are funded through other government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal), and all other sources of funding including amounts from partners and other contributors to the project, and the total value of all in-kind contributions for the project.
Transfer payment Monetary payment, or transfer of goods, services or assets made, on the basis of an appropriation, to a third party, including a Crown corporation, that does not result in the acquisition by the Government of Canada of any goods, services or assets. Transfer payments are categorized as grants, contributions or other transfer payments. Transfer payments do not include investments, loans or loan guarantees.

Confidentiality

Personal information provided by applicants and collected by ISED through the CanCode Application form and CanCode Application quantitative data workbook is treated in accordance with Privacy Act requirements. This information could be provided to any entity requesting it under the Access to Information and Privacy Act.

 
 Report a problem
Date modified: