Details on transfer payment programs
Accessibility Standards Canada (CASDO) Grant and Contribution Program, Advancing Accessibility Standards Research
Start date
2019 to 2020
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grants and contributions
Type of appropriation
Each year through Main Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2018 to 2019
Link to departmental result(s)
Core Responsibility: Accessibility Standards
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Standards Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
Accessibility Standards Canada’s Grants and Contributions Program, Advancing Accessibility Standards Research, provides funding for research projects.
The goals of the Program are to:
- support research projects to find, take away and stop barriers to accessibility; and
- help inform accessibility standards in the future.
The Program allows Accessibility Standards Canada to work with different stakeholders across Canada to advance accessibility standards research.
Each year, the organization identifies the priority areas for this research.
This program uses funding from these transfer payments:
- Grants under the Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program; and
- Contributions under the Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program
Results achieved:
In 2023-2024, following an open call for research projects proposals, the Program funded 24 research projects that are currently being delivered by funded organizations. Research reports resulting from the funded research projects will be made publicly available when research projects are completed in the future.
Those projects were funded following the launch of a new two-step application process, aimed at reducing the burden on applicants. Organizations from across Canada were invited to apply for funding by submitting an Expression of interest, meaning a short description of the project, how they meet the program’s objectives and the total funding necessary for their project.
Expressions of interest were reviewed. The projects that met the program’s objectives were invited to submit a detailed application for funding, giving them the chance to describe their project and their financial needs in greater details. Applications for funding received were then assessed. The projects that met the assessment criteria were funded and invited to sign funding agreements.
Findings of audits completed in 2023 to 2024:
Not applicable, new program.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023 to 2024:
Not applicable, new program.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023 to 2024
The program’s ongoing activities include:
- adding program information and call for proposals on the Website; and
- helping applicants by phone and email
As part of the launch for calls for proposals, the program works with the Communications team to build a dissemination strategy. This includes:
- sending an invitation email to those who may be interested in applying to submit a funding application to the program; and
sending notifications via social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Accessibility Standards Canada also:
- works with program stakeholders throughout the year by attending related conferences and organizing meetings
- plans to consult the stakeholders from time-to-time to help with setting program priorities.
Financial information (dollars)
|
Type of transfer payment |
2021 to 2022 actual spending | 2022 to 2023 actual spending | 2023 to 2024 planned spending | 2023 to 2024 total authorities available for use | 2023 to 2024 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,307,997 | 1,333,495 | 4,250,000 | 4,250,000 | 723,546 | (3,526,454) |
| Total contributions | 6,192,003 | 7,164,680 | 4,250,000 | 4,250,000 | 7,776,454 | 3,526,454 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 8,500,000 | 8,498,175 | 8,500,000 | 8,500,000 | 8,500,000 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
Accessibility Standards Canada has a grants and contributions budget of $8.5M, and up to 50% of this budget can be spent on grants. To maintain flexibility, we forecast the maximum amount of grants for the fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, the majority of agreements signed were contributions.