Funding Programs
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) funds an array of projects and programs in Canada and around the world. These departmental programs, aligned to government priorities, are important policy tools to protect Canadians and advance Canada’s priorities, interests and leadership abroad. We also manage Canada’s annual contributions to International Organizations.
Here is a list of DFAIT’s various funding programs with links for more information.
Foreign Affairs
Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
Enhances the capacity of key beneficiary states, government entities and international organizations, to prevent and respond to threats posed by international criminal activity throughout the hemisphere. Crime and lack of security undermine democracy and economic progress. By strengthening the capacity to fight crime, the ACCBP will contribute to the full range of Canada’s interests in the Americas.
- The ACCBP also manages Canada’s annual voluntary contribution to the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission.
Canada in La Francophonie
Meets Canada's commitments with respect to Summit follow-up and pursues the implementation of development projects and activities resulting from these Summits. Enhances Canada's international presence through La Francophonie, which is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and the natural international extension of Canadian bilingualism.
Canadian International Arctic Fund
Brings a comprehensive northern dimension to Canada’s foreign policy in order to enhance the security and prosperity of Canadians. To assert and ensure the preservation of Canada’s sovereignty in the North. To establish the Circumpolar region as a vibrant geopolitical entity integrated into a rules-based international system and to promote the human security of Northerners and the sustainable development of the Arctic.
Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP)
Provides other states with training, funding, equipment, technical and legal expertise to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity in a manner consistent with international counter-terrorism and human rights norms, standards and obligations.
- The CTCBP also manages Canada’s annual Voluntary contribution to the UN office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Global Partnership Program (GPP)
Represents Canada's contribution to the larger G8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. It funds initiatives around the world - particularly Russia and other former Soviet republics - aimed at securing, reducing, or eliminating weapons and materials of mass destruction and redirecting those with weapons-related expertise.
Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF)
START’s Global Peace and Security Fund financially supports three programs:
- Global Peace and Security Program (GPSP)
Responds to peace and security challenges of failed and fragile states, including conflict prevention, crisis response and stabilisation initiatives. Examples of GPSP programming countries and regions include: Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti, Guatemala, Columbia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Middle East Peace Process. - Global Peace Operations Program (GPOP)
Canada's G8 Sea Island Summit commitment to develop global capacity for peace support operations through medium term initiatives to build local and regional capacities to respond to crises. - Glyn Berry Program (GBP)
Projects fall under three sub-categories: democracy; rule of law and accountability; and conflict prevention and vulnerability.
International Education and Youth
Canadians have opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world and foreigners can learn more about Canada.
- International Scholarships
Intended for foreign students who wish to pursue post-secondary studies or research programs in Canada, and for Canadians to take advantage of reciprocal awards offered by foreign governments. Fosters international study and research partnerships that build understanding among people and develop global citizens and leaders. Supports the internationalization agendas of Canadian institutions. - Policy and Planning and Federal / Provincial Cooperation
Coordinates Canadian international activities relating to higher education in cooperation with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) and other federal departments and stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Conducts studies and analysis of issues connected to international cooperation in higher education as they relate to DFAIT’s priorities. Provides leadership in Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relations in international education and coordinates the negotiations, signing and ratification of instruments of cooperation on education-related issues with different states and international organizations. Ensures Canada’s compliance with its obligations regarding such instruments.
Permanent Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Supports the activities of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that is located in Montreal, DFAIT in collaboration with the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (CED-Q), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Environment Canada (EC), has secured a ten-year funding commitment to the CBD Secretariat until 2013-2014.
Support to International Environmental Programs
Helps organizations stage international meetings and conferences, workshops, conduct studies and undertake activities related to environmental issues of interest to Canada’s environmental agenda. Enhances analytical studies on climate change issues.
United Nations Trust Fund on Indigenous Issues
Advances indigenous issues in the areas of economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
Supports the medical and psychological treatment and services for torture victims through rehabilitation centres and programs worldwide.
International Trade
Global Commerce Support Program (GCSP)
The GCSP is a contribution program that harmonizes three programs under one umbrella mechanism:
- Invest Canada-Community Initiatives (ICCI)
- Going Global Innovation (GGI)
- Global Opportunities for Associations (GOA)
The objective of the program is to build a stronger and more competitive Canadian capacity to compete in the global economy by:
- enhancing the capability and effectiveness of Canadian communities to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment;
- promoting and enhancing Canada's international innovation efforts by supporting Canadian companies and/or researchers in pursuing international R & D collaborative opportunities through the development of partnerships with key players in other countries, and
- stimulating engagement of Canadian business in international markets through national industry associations in order to expand commercial linkages and facilitate future access abroad.
International Science and Technology Partnerships Program (ISTPP)
Promotes international collaborative research and development activities to increase the international competitiveness and prosperity of Canada by building stronger science and technology relationships with Israel, India, China and Brazil.
Investment Cooperation Program (INC)
Supports responsible, developmentally beneficial, private sector engagements in developing countries leading to sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. The program shares some of the costs involved in studying the viability of an investment, demonstrating and adapting appropriate technologies and undertaking activities aimed at enhancing the economic, environmental and social benefits of those investments.
