Deadline: 16-Sep-2024

CanCode is currently accepting applications for funding from not-for-profit organizations with an aim to teach digital skills, including coding, use of digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI), to youth and teachers.

This program is a non-repayable contribution program that will invest up to $39.2 million over two fiscal years (starting in 2024-2025 and ending in 2025-26) to provide Canadian students (kindergarten to grade 12) and their teachers opportunities to develop digital skills including coding, data analytics and digital content development. CanCode is focused on traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM including girls, Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, Black youth and youth residing in rural and remote communities including the North.

Through CanCode funded programs, youth and their educators can learn up-to-date digital skills that will help youth succeed today and in the future.

By supporting Canadian students and their teachers across Canada, CanCode will achieve the following objectives:

• Provide students (kindergarten to grade 12) opportunities to develop digital skills including coding, data analytics and/or digital content creation;
• Provide digital skills training and professional development to pre-service, elementary, and secondary teachers;
• Develop educational resources to support and enhance digital skills and coding learning initiatives and teacher training and development initiatives;
• Emphasize participation of underrepresented groups.

Why CanCode is important?

• The digital skills learned by youth and their teachers through CanCode funded programs help them succeed in an increasingly digital global economy. For example, by learning to code from a young age, youth are set up for success, particularly as jobs in technology are set to grow exponentially over the coming years. By learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI), youth have access to the training they need to stay ahead as AI continues to shape the society. Canada’s success in the digital economy depends on leveraging the diverse talent and providing opportunity for all to participate. Investing in digital skills training for youth, and providing teachers with the professional development to introduce these concepts, will help achieve this.

CanCode Objectives

• The goal of CanCode is to fund not-for-profit organizations that offer digital skills training to Canadian youth and teachers, with a specific focus on AI.
• CanCode funded programs focus on underrepresented youth, including:
  • girls
  • Black youth
  • Indigenous youth
  • youth with disabilities
  • residents of rural and remote areas that:
    • have a population density of less than 100,000 inhabitants
    • are at a distance that is outside the commuting zone of metropolitan centres
  • residents of Canada’s North (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)

Funding Information

• The total funding available for the program is $39.2 million. The level of funding provided by the program will be contingent upon the assessment of the proposal and the availability of program funds. The requested funding from ISED shall not exceed $3 million per funding stream, per fiscal year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible recipients must clearly show how their proposal’s activities will meet the objectives and expected results of CanCode. Applications must clearly demonstrate that:
  • Eligible recipients are not-for-profit organizations, which are incorporated in Canada, undertaking activities. Proof of incorporation such as a business number, articles of incorporation and/or charitable registration number is required.
    • Not-for-profit organizations are legal entities that are incorporated under federal, provincial, or territorial legislation for purposes other than generating a profit for its shareholder. Post-secondary institutions, schools, school boards, and school districts are not eligible to apply for funding through the program. These organizations can however partner with eligible not-for-profit organizations.
  • Your organization or partner has a minimum of 3 consecutive years experience in the delivery of coding and digital skills initiatives at the time of application for funding with a proven track record of success. For returning recipients, past results will be taken into consideration;
  • Your proposed initiative will target underrepresented groups in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field;
  • The proposed initiative will be delivered at no cost to participants (i.e., no participant user fees);
  • Your organization will have the resource capacity and expertise with program funding, either internally or through partnerships, to successfully deliver the proposed initiative within the program time frame, fall 2024 to spring 2026, and agree to accurately measure and report on success quarterly;
  • Your organization’s mission, mandate, and/or purpose are aligned with the program.
• Note: Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with a network of partners (not-for-profit organizations) to submit an application. One not-for-profit organization must take the lead on the application and submit the application on behalf of all partners. These partners will be considered part of the initiative and cannot submit a separate application for the same project.
• Important: An organization needs to meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for a full assessment, based on the merit criteria.

For more information, visit ISED.