How to apply

For us to consider your application, you must:

• apply before the deadline
• meet all eligibility requirements
• submit a complete application package

On this page

• Before you apply
• Gather your documents
• Complete and submit your application
• After you apply
• Service standards

Before you apply

• Check your eligibility
• Review the terms and conditions
• Consult "Improving your application"

Gather your documents

To complete the online application package you will need:

• Proof of non-profit status or registration as a charitable organization
• Proof of incorporation, if you are an incorporated organization
• Letter of reference^{Footnote 1} (if your organization is not incorporated) from a recognized national association or any level of government

  The three previous documents are mandatory for all applicants, with the exception of Indigenous government institutions.

• Financial statements^{Footnote 2} for your last two completed fiscal years (audited if available)
• Annual report or strategic plan
• Organizational chart
• List of current board members and full-time staff
• Project Budget Form (mandatory DHCP template)
• Project Timeline Form (mandatory DHCP template)
• Supporting documents, depending on the proposed project:
  • Proposals, agreements and/or terms of reference for tenderers, consultants, etc.
  • Resumes or other information demonstrating consultants’ or project-lead’s expertise related to your project
  • Letters of intent^{Footnote 3} or confirmation letters (for example, from project hosting venues)
  • Confirmation of other sources of funding
  • Partnership information (if you are submitting a project in partnership with another eligible organization)
    • Identify the organization as partner in your application
    • Provide an organization profile and supporting documents (see list above) for your partner
  • Confirmation of copyright, if a project involves a newspaper collection

Complete and submit your application

Submit your application and complete other requirements through the LAC funding portal. We will not accept applications submitted by other methods, such as email or mail.

If this is your first time applying, start by creating a user account and registering your organization. Thereafter, you can submit future funding requests from the same account.

You must complete your organization profile and application form in either English or French.

During the call period, you can save your information on the portal and complete it later.

Once you've submitted your application, you'll receive a confirmation email. At this point, we lock your application so you can't make further changes.

After you apply

Once we receive your application:

• You'll receive an email confirming the receipt of your application
• About 13 weeks after the application deadline, you’ll receive an email informing you of the funding decision

Refer to our service standards for further information, including our results from past years.

For help at any time in the application process, send us an email at: contributions@bac-lac.gc.ca.

Deadline for submitting questions

• General questions about this call for proposals: December 21, 2023, before noon PST.
• Technical questions related to the LAC funding portal: January 11, 2024, before noon PST.

We try to respond to telephone and email queries within three business days.

Service standards

Service standards let you know what to expect from us about turnaround times for the DHCP.

LAC is committed to these timeframes:

• Acknowledgment of receipt of applications (within 5 calendar days)
• Communication of funding decisions (within 13 weeks after the application deadline)
• Issuance of payments (within 28 calendar days)

Compliance with these service standards is a shared responsibility between the applicants and the DHCP team. Applicants must provide the required documents, duly completed, according to the program or announcement of opportunity guidelines within the prescribed deadlines.