Apply for funding through an unsolicited proposal

There are two ways to apply for funding for an international development project:

• Apply through a call for proposals
• Submit an unsolicited proposal

How to submit an unsolicited application for funding

1. Make sure your project idea is in line with Global Affairs Canada’s priorities

There are many more needs and requests for support than any one donor can fund. We only fund select initiatives that strongly align with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and program priorities.

Before you decide to apply:

• Read the full application form below. It shows the level of detail you will need to provide in order to be considered for funding, if you are invited to submit a full proposal.
• Review the general terms and conditions of the contribution agreement. Ensure that your organization understands and has the capacity to respect them if funding is provided.
• Verify the legal status of your organization. We can only provide funding to legal entities. Canadian organizations must also have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) number.

2. Funding tools

Review the following guidance:

• What we look for in unsolicited concept notes
• Funding tools provides topic-specific advice on best practices to incorporate into the design of your development initiative, and guidance on policy requirements
• Questions and answers about applying for funding

3. Prepare your application

Your application package must include:

1. A concept note
   • Follow the Guidance for concept notes
2. Signed financial statements for your organization’s two most recently completed financial years (allowing for a three-year trend analysis)
   • Audited financial statements are preferred
     • Other financial statements may be accepted such as:
       • review engagement
       • compilation engagement/Notice to reader
       • internal
     • The reliability of the information in the financial statements (the extent to which an external auditor was involved) may have an impact on the assessed risk of working with your organization
       • Financial statements provided must pertain to your organization, not to specific projects you have managed
3. Organization Attestation (PDF, 105KB - Help: Opening PDFs on your computer), signed by your organization’s Chief Financial Officer
   • This form must be completed and signed before weassess[HMdP(4]  your unsolicited proposal.

Double-check your documents before you submit:

• Is everything that must be signed, signed by the authorized officer for your organization?
• Are all dollar amounts in Canadian dollars?
• Is all content provided in either English or French?

4. Submit your application through the Partners@International portal

You must submit your application for funding through the Partners@International portal. The portal will automatically save and track your submission. Applications sent to individuals outside the portal are not considered submitted.

If your organization is registered in the Partners@International portal:

• Log in
• Click on Access Proposals
• Click on Create New Proposal
• Choose the Unsolicited Proposal funding mechanism (it will always appear at the bottom of the list, after any open calls)

If your organization is not registered in Partners@International:

• Submit a new registration request through the portal
  • Warning: it may take more than ten business days before your registration is finalized
• Once registered, complete your organization profile and create a new proposal

Upload documents to Partners@International portal

• Be sure to upload all final documents to the Partners@International portal
• Properly identify them so that the portal can recognize whether your application package is complete

Press the “Submit” button on your proposal in Partners@International after uploading all documents.

• Check that the status of your application has changed from “Draft” to “Submitted”.
• You should receive an automated email acknowledging receipt.

5. Review the response

You should receive a response within two months of submitting your application. The response will either indicate:

• You are invited to submit a full proposal.
  • The invitation letter will provide you with further instructions, and will include a useable version of the full application form (PDF, 330KB — for help, consult: Opening PDFs on your computer) and detailed budget template.
  • We can only base funding decisions on the assessment of a full proposal.
  • Funding is never guaranteed until and unless a financial instrument is signed.
• You are not invited to submit a full proposal.
  • We fully plan program budgets before the start of each fiscal year. We invite full proposals for either of these reasons:
    • to plan for a future year;
    • when funds for a particular kind of project unexpectedly become available.
  • Your application is saved in the system, so please do not resubmit an unsolicited application for the same project idea within a two-year period.
  • We could invite you to submit a full proposal at a later date, if funds become available for that kind of project.