Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund Application Guide

• Introduction: Indigenous Stakeholder Capacity Fund
• Stream 1: Indigenous Capacity Support
• Stream 2: Regulatory Policy Dialogue
• Stream 3: Engagement and Collaboration Support
• Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund Application Guide

Table of contents

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the application guide

This application guide:

• describes the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF)
• outlines ISCF eligibility criteria
• provides step-by-step instructions for completing the ISCF application form, either the contribution funding application form, of the grant application form
• details the obligations of ISCF funding recipients
• lists ISCF resources and templates

1.2 Who are the users of this application guide?

This guide is designed for Indigenous Nations and communities (including aggregates of communities) as well as non-governmental organizations, members of the public, and other organizations with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada that would like to access funding to support the development of capacity, knowledge and relationships, in order to more effectively participate in CNSC regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives throughout the lifecycle of nuclear facilities and activities in Canada.

1.3 Who can I contact about the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund?

If you have any questions about the ISCF, please contact:

Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund Administrator

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
280 Slater Street
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9
Canada

Tel: 613-947-6382 or 1-800-668-5284 (in Canada only)

Email: iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

Website: nuclearsafety.gc.ca

2.0 Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund

2.1 Purpose and objectives

In 2023, the CNSC established the ISCF to:

• develop and support organizational capacity of Indigenous Nations and communities and key public stakeholders – thereby reducing barriers and capacity constraints to participate in CNSC regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives more meaningfully
• support building relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities and key public stakeholders – through engagement and collaboration with Indigenous Nations and communities and key stakeholders to fulfill the CNSC’s mandate effectively

The ISCF consists of 3 streams of funding:

• Stream 1: Indigenous Capacity Support
• Stream 2: Regulatory Policy Dialogue
• Stream 3: Engagement and Collaboration Support

Stream 1: Indigenous Capacity Support

The purpose of the Indigenous Capacity Support stream is to reduce barriers for Indigenous Nations and communities to participate in CNSC regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives. Funding through the Indigenous Capacity Support stream will be targeted to develop and support organizational capacity of Indigenous Nations and communities, including aggregates of Indigenous Nations and communities with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada. Funding will be provided to recipients via contribution agreements for this stream.

Stream 2: Regulatory Policy Dialogue

The purpose of the Regulatory Policy Dialogue stream is to support Indigenous Nations and communities and key public stakeholders to participate in the review of CNSC regulatory documents, regulations and policies to ensure that the perspectives of Indigenous Nations and communities, as well as key public stakeholders are incorporated into CNSC processes, regulations and policies. Funding will be provided to recipients via contribution agreements for this stream.

Stream 3: Engagement and Collaboration Support

The purpose of the Engagement and Collaboration Support stream is to support engagement and collaboration activities between the CNSC and Indigenous Nations and communities and key public stakeholders. Funding will be provided to recipients through both grants and contribution agreements for this stream.

2.2 Details of funding availability

2.2.1 Amount of funding available

The CNSC determines the total amount of funding it will make available for each funding opportunity based on a number of factors, including:

• total amount of ISCF financial resources currently available
• potential interest of Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders and the number of funding recipients that can be expected (if applicable)
• the complexity of the activity or subject matter and associated resource requirements
• any pre-established maximum funding allocations in relation to the specific funding opportunity or activity
• CNSC priorities for engagement, relationship building and capacity building

Each funding opportunity notice will be posted on the CNSC’s website. The notice will include the total amount of funding available and/or the maximum amount of funding payable to an eligible recipient.

2.2.2 Funding opportunity notice

The frequency of funding opportunity notices will vary by funding stream as follows:

For Stream 1: Indigenous Capacity Support, funding opportunities will be announced on an annual basis. This stream will provide funding for Indigenous knowledge, land use, and other related studies as well as internal resource support for Indigenous Nations and communities to engage and collaborate with the CNSC. Internal resources hired from within the Nation or community will be prioritized for funding.

For Stream 2: Regulatory Policy Dialogue, funding opportunities will be announced on a case-by-case basis. This stream will provide funding to Indigenous Nations and communities and key public stakeholders to review and comment on CNSC regulatory documents, regulations and policies, or other documents published for public review and comment.

For Stream 3: Engagement and Collaboration Support, potential funding opportunities will be identified by CNSC subject matter experts through ongoing engagement and collaboration activities with Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders. This stream will provide funding on a case-by-case basis for a range of activities including educational and training activities; workshops, collaboration activities, and meetings with CNSC staff; traditional ceremonies; participation in CNSC monitoring activities and programs; and IT equipment. For more information on applying for these potential funding opportunities, please review the eligibility criteria or contact the ISCF administrator.

2.2.3 Limitations

Applicants must demonstrate that their proposals are relevant to the funding opportunity description and meet eligible recipient, activity, and expense (cost) requirements to be considered for funding through the ISCF. See Section 3.3 of this guide for more information on the eligibility requirements.

An applicant may not be awarded the full amount originally requested. The CNSC will only award funding amounts that are reasonable and commensurate with the scope of the funding applicant’s proposal, up to the maximum amount specified in the funding opportunity notice.

The CNSC will only reimburse the eligible expenses related to hiring professional services, travel, administrative costs and “other costs” as defined and approved by the CNSC.

The CNSC will consider several factors in its decision when assessing funding applications:

• CNSC priorities for engagement and relationship building with Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders
• capacity-building priorities, needs and interests identified by the CNSC through direct engagement and communications with Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders
• relevance of the application to the CNSC’s mandate, the goals and objectives of the ISCF, and the specific funding opportunity
• the complexity of the activity or subject matter and associated resource requirements
• any pre-established maximum funding allocations in relation to the specific funding opportunity or activity
• the applicant’s previous experience with grant or contribution funding agreements with the CNSC, if applicable
• potential interest of Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders, and the number of funding recipients that can be expected (if applicable)
• total amount of ISCF financial resources available

To learn more about the CNSC’s funding award process, please see section 5.0 of this guide.

2.3 Application process

The CNSC’s ISCF application process for each stream is comprised of 3 phases, described in table 1:

Table 1: Summary of the phases of the ISCF application process

Phase	Step	Guide reference
Phase 1: Pre-application	Identify ISCF funding opportunities	Section 3.1
Phase 1: Pre-application	Review guidance	Section 3.2
Phase 1: Pre-application	Determine eligibility	Section 3.3
Phase 2: Application	Complete the ISCF application form	Section 4.0
Phase 2: Application	Submit the ISCF application form	Section 4.10
Phase 2: Application	CNSC review and approval	Section 5.1
Phase 3: award	Funding award notice and funding agreement	Section 5.2
Phase 3: Funding award	Recipient responsibilities	Section 6.0
Phase 3: Funding award	Complete recipient survey	Section 6.3
Phase 3: Funding award	Funding payment(s)	Section 7.0

Phase 1: Pre-application

The CNSC provides ISCF funding to eligible applicants only. Interested applicants are encouraged to follow the steps outlined in this pre-application phase to identify the applicable ISCF funding opportunity and determine their eligibility for funding. This phase, which begins with downloading the ISCF application form, is detailed in section 4.0 of this guide.

Phase 2: Application

If an interested applicant determines their proposal will meet the CNSC’s ISCF eligibility criteria (as detailed in section 3.3 of this guide), they are encouraged to apply for funding following the steps that make up the ISCF application phase. Detailed step-by-step guidance for completing an ISCF application form is provided in section 4.0 of this guide.

Phase 3: Funding award

If funding is awarded, the recipient must sign a grant or contribution agreement, agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement, which includes the application guide. The terms and conditions of the funding agreement are non-negotiable. Once the agreement has been signed by the recipient and the CNSC, the recipient must complete a series of actions (e.g., submit a progress report or a financial report) to fulfill the reporting requirements specified in the funding agreement. The funding agreement may be a grant or contribution agreement that stipulates the conditions of awarding funding to a recipient. These steps are part of the funding award phase, which is described in section 5.0 of this guide.

2.4 Privacy

The CNSC is authorized to collect personal information to administer the ISCF, per paragraphs 21(1)(a) and (b) of the Nuclear Safety Control Act. Personal information is collected to communicate with funding applicants and to help determine eligibility of funding applicants for the ISCF. Personal information received under the ISCF is protected and managed in accordance with the Privacy Act. Personal information collected for this process is described in the Personal Information Bank CNSC PPU 030.

The collection of personal information on the funding application form is mandatory and failure to provide the information will result in the rejection of the application.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the CNSC may publicly disclose the funding applicant’s name, funding award amount, and the type of activity funded as a result of the successful funding application on the CNSC website. Funding decisions will be available through the Government of Canada’s proactive disclosure for grant and contribution awards over $25,000.

If your application is successful, your name, contact information and financial institution information will be shared with Public Services and Procurement Canada (Receiver General Payments PWGSC PCU 712) to facilitate payment.

You have the right to the correction of, access to, and protection of your personal information under the Privacy Act, as well as the right to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding the handling of your personal information.

If you have questions regarding the privacy of your personal information, please contact the CNSC’s ISCF Administrator.

3.0 Before you apply: Pre-application phase

3.1 Identify ISCF funding opportunities

For Stream 1 and Stream 2, the CNSC announces funding opportunities on the ISCF page of the CNSC’s website. If you are interested in applying for ISCF funding, check out the website to review the funding opportunities available under each funding stream.

Once you have identified the ISCF funding opportunity that interests you, click on the name of the funding opportunity to access the relevant ISCF notice. This notice will provide you with information and links to the documents you will need to apply, including:

• description of the ISCF funding opportunity and total amount of funding available
• ISCF application form (Contribution Funding Application Form)
• application deadline
• review process
• contact information

The CNSC also provides notifications of funding opportunities to subscribers by email. To sign up to receive email notifications from the CNSC with updates and news on the ISCF, please subscribe on the CNSC’s website.

The CNSC may also promote funding opportunities on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well as through print, digital/online and radio advertising, as appropriate.

3.2 Review guidance

The CNSC accepts ISCF application forms only from applicants who have submitted their application before or on the application deadline specified in the funding opportunity notice. The CNSC will not accept incomplete applications. To ensure your application is complete and submitted on time, you are encouraged to review:

1. the ISCF eligibility criteria (which are outlined in section 3.3)
2. the ISCF resources and templates on the CNSC website
3. a sample ISCF application form
4. a sample funding agreement

Note that the CNSC may contact you either by email or phone for clarifications or if you need to submit additional documentation before the formal review process begins.

3.3 Determine eligibility

To determine your eligibility, please review the CNSC’s eligibility criteria for applicants, expenses and activities as described in the sections below.

3.3.1 Eligible applicants

In order to be eligible for funding through the ISCF, the funding applicant must be one of the following:

• Indigenous person, Nation, community, or organization with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada
• non-governmental organization with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada
• member of the public with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada
• other organization with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada

Funding applicants will be asked to briefly describe how they meet the eligibility criteria above, along with their interest in nuclear projects, facilities, and activities in Canada, including any relevant opinions, concerns, issues or interests.

If the applicant is a Nation, community, organization or association, the individual who signs the grant or contribution funding application form must certify that they are authorized to submit the funding application form on behalf of the Nation, community, organization or association.

3.3.2 Ineligible applicants

The following individuals and organizations are ineligible to receive funding through the ISCF:

• for-profit organizations
• those with a direct commercial interest in nuclear projects, facilities and activities in Canada
• those who work for the CNSC, a CNSC licensee, or potential licensee

3.3.3 Eligible expenses

The CNSC awards ISCF funding only for expenses considered eligible, reasonable and necessary to complete the activity. The scope and limitations of this funding are described below.

Expenses that the CNSC’s ISCF will cover include:

• administrative costs
• professional fees including staff salaries
• travel expenses including meals, accommodation, and incidentals
• honoraria and ceremonial offerings
• purchase of IT equipment

See section 4.6 for more information on eligible expenses.

Expenses that the CNSC’s ISCF will not cover include:

• capital expenditures
• construction costs
• lost income
• building renovations

The CNSC will not fund activities that duplicate services, studies or written materials that other public or private sources are already funding, including other funding sources from the CNSC.

3.3.4 Eligible activities

The activities that are considered eligible for ISCF funding may vary depending on the funding stream, the nature of the funding opportunity and the funding applicant’s proposed activity.

Examples of eligible activities include:

• Indigenous Knowledge, land use and other related studies (not related to a specific nuclear project)
• internal resource support for Indigenous Nations and communities to coordinate engagement and collaboration with the CNSC
• review and comment on CNSC regulatory documents, regulations and policies, or other documents published for public review and comment by the CNSC
• educational and training activities related to nuclear safety and nuclear technologies
• workshops related to nuclear safety, nuclear technologies and potential nuclear projects and activities
• collaboration and engagement activities with CNSC staff
• meetings with CNSC staff
• traditional ceremonies
• facility tours and visits
• IT equipment

4.0 Application phase

This section will guide you through the nine steps required to complete the ISCF application form (contribution funding application form or grant funding application form). Please ensure to access the funding application form from the CNSC’s website. If you are having trouble accessing the form, please contact the ISCF Administrator. Please note that while the sections of the forms are the same, there are two funding application forms, one for grant funding agreements and one for contribution funding agreements.

While this section provides you with high-level guidance on completing each section of the form and relevant background information, the form also contains detailed instructions you must follow for it to be accepted for review. Important considerations include the following:

• Length: Please adhere to the word counts specified in the sections that require a written justification or explanation.
• Additional documentation: If you are required to submit additional documentation (e.g., résumés, work experience for professionals, detailed proposal), please ensure that you attach it to your completed form.
• Supplementary information: If you require additional space to complete any sections of the form, please use another ISCF application form, clearly noting that the second form is part of your application package rather than a separate application.
• Signature: Sign and date your form before emailing it to
  iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

Submission dates: Please submit your completed funding application by the deadline in the funding opportunity notice. If you have any questions about the application form or how to complete it, contact the ISCF Administrator.

If you have any questions, contact the CNSC’s ISCF Administrator.

4.1 Funding applicant

Please provide your name and contact information. Note that applications from Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations or associations will be accepted only if the person submitting the application on behalf of the organization certifies that they are authorized to submit the funding application form and sign the funding agreement (should funding be approved) on behalf of the organization. The Nation, community, organization, or association will assume the legal responsibility for carrying out all of the terms of the agreement.

If you are representing or applying on behalf of a Nation, community, organization or association, you must provide details regarding the organization’s mandate and objectives. You may be asked to provide supporting documentation and an endorsement from the president or principal contact for the organization. This information can be attached to the application form upon submission to the ISCF Administrator.

4.2 Recipient eligibility

Check the eligibility box that applies to you or your organization. It is possible to check more than 1 box.

Please provide an explanation of how you or your Nation, community, organization or association meets the selected eligibility criteria. You will also be asked to describe your interest in nuclear projects, facilities, and activities in Canada, including any relevant opinions, concerns, or issues.

4.3 Conflict of interest

Disclose any conflicts of interest you may have by submitting an application form and entering into an agreement with the CNSC. Briefly explain the circumstances of this conflict.

Stating a conflict of interest does not necessarily disqualify your application from consideration. However, non-disclosure of a conflict will eliminate your application and could affect the consideration of any future ISCF funding for you or your Nation, community, organization or association. If you are unsure whether you have a conflict, please contact the ISCF Administrator.

4.4 Other funding sources

Disclose if you are receiving, have already received or will be receiving funding from other sources to support your funding proposal, including from the CNSC. You are required to disclose the amount of funding received and to describe the activities that are being or will be covered by this funding.

Receipt of other funding does not disqualify your application from consideration. However, failure to disclose other funding sources could jeopardize your funding application and the consideration of any future ISCF funding for you or your Nation, community, organization or association.

4.5 Funding applicant’s proposal

Outline how your funding proposal is relevant to current funding opportunity (if applicable) by answering the questions presented in this section. The proposed activities must meet the eligibility requirements. You will be asked how your proposal relates to the CNSC’s mandate and the goals and objectives of the ISCF and to demonstrate that the proposed activities are within the scope of the funding opportunity.

4.6 Expenses

Under the ISCF, funding will be provided only for expenses that are eligible, reasonable and necessary to complete the proposed activity. Table 2 presents a list of eligible expenses and the information required in support of those expenses.

Table 2: Descriptions and examples of eligible expenses under the ISCF

Phase	Description
Professional fees	Professional fees relate to the costs of hiring an internal resource (i.e., staff salaries) or a professional (such as an engineer, consultant, biologist or translator) for expert advice or assistance relevant to complete the activity.
Travel	Travel expenses include the cost to travel to a meeting, workshop, or event from your home community. Travel costs may include transportation, accommodation, meals and incidentals.
Honoraria and ceremonial offerings	Honoraria for Elders and ceremonial offerings may include costs associated with providing Indigenous or community knowledge relevant to the activity. The Elder cannot be in receipt of a salary or any other direct income for the activity for which an honorarium is claimed.
Other costs	Other costs may include items such as administrative/reporting costs, meeting room rentals, office supplies, local collection/distribution of information, general media advertising, promotion, information technology equipment and other expenses – as long as they are reasonable and adequately justified. It is important to specify in your application form why these costs are necessary to deliver on the proposed activities.

Under each category, please provide details on how you will spend the funding (e.g., name of consultant, fee structure/hourly rate) and written justification on why these costs are necessary to complete the activity.

The electronic form will automatically calculate subtotals for each category and the total amount of your ISCF funding request from all applicable categories.

All expenses must adhere to National Joint Council Travel Directive on travel allowances. You will be asked to clearly detail these costs within a financial report (which is described in detail in section 6.2).

4.7 Results

The CNSC will notify all applicants of their results by email. Please indicate your preferred language for correspondence (i.e. English or French). If you are successful, you will also receive a funding agreement (contribution funding agreement or a grant funding agreement) to review, sign, and return to the CNSC. The terms and conditions of the funding agreement are non-negotiable. Reference a sample of a funding agreement. If your funding application is not successful, the ISCF Administrator will provide justification as to why.

4.8 Declarations

To be considered for funding, you must certify and agree to the declarations included in the Application Form by checking the “I agree” box. These include:

• declaring that the individual signing the application form is authorized to submit the application form on behalf of the Nation, community, organization or association
• certifying that the information provided in the application form is true, accurate and complete
• acknowledging that you have read, understood and agree with all the terms and conditions in the funding agreement template and the application guide, which are non-negotiable
• declaring that you have obtained the required permission from third parties whose personal information is included in your application form and supporting documentation, to share their personal information with the CNSC for the purposes of applying to the funding opportunity and receiving funding through the ISCF
• agreeing that no funding will be payable unless you sign and agree with all the terms and conditions in the CNSC’s funding agreement, which includes the Application Guide

Sign and date this section to confirm you agree to the declarations.

By filling out this section of the form, applicants agree to take on the legal responsibility of submitting the form and, if successful, completing the deliverables outlined in the funding agreement.

4.9 Submit the ISCF application form

All application forms must be submitted to the CNSC’s ISCF Administrator. Before you submit your form, please review it to ensure it is complete, true and accurate. We also recommend that you keep a copy for your records.

• Once the form is completed, sign the form electronically. Email the resulting file and any supporting documentation to the ISCF Administrator at iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.
• Alternatively, you can print out the completed PDF form, sign and scan the hard copy, and attach the resulting file to an email. Send the email to the ISCF Administrator at iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

Each funding opportunity notice will have a deadline to submit funding applications. The CNSC will not consider a form if it is submitted after the application deadline. Please contact the ISCF Administrator before the application deadline if you have trouble submitting your form or have any questions.

Service standards

You will receive notification from the ISCF Administrator within one business day of receipt of your application.

You will be informed of the outcome of the funding decision within 45 business days of the application deadline or, if there is no deadline, following receipt of your application.

5.0 Funding award process

Once the CNSC receives your ISCF application form, the ISCF Administrator will initiate the funding review and approval process as described in section 5.1. At the conclusion of this process, you will be notified if your application was successful. In the case of successful applicants, the CNSC will initiate the funding award process described in section 5.2.

5.1 Review and assessment

The ISCF funding review and assessment process begins with the ISCF Administrator conducting a preliminary review of your ISCF application form to check its completeness and determine if additional information is required (e.g., résumés for experts listed). The CNSC may contact you either by email or phone for clarifications or if you need to submit additional documentation before the formal review process begins.

The ISCF Administrator will review each funding application form and determine whether the funding applicant and proposal meet the recipient, activity, and expense eligibility requirements as outlined Section 3.3.

The ISCF Administrator will provide all completed application forms that meet eligibility requirements and are in scope of the funding opportunity, together with any supporting documentation to the funding review committee (FRC). The FRC will conduct an assessment of the applications using the assessment criteria outlined below and make funding recommendations to CNSC management. The FRC will develop a set of recommendations for the CNSC regarding who should be approved for funding, for how much and what activities should be completed.

In determining the amount of funding recommended for award, the FRC will consider the following assessment criteria:

• CNSC priorities for engagement and relationship building with Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders
• capacity-building priorities, needs and interests identified by the CNSC through direct engagement and communications with Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders
• relevance of the application to the CNSC’s mandate, the goals and objectives of the ISCF, and the specific funding opportunity
• the complexity of the activity or subject matter and associated resource requirements
• any pre-established maximum funding allocations in relation to the specific funding opportunity or activity
• the applicant’s previous experience with grant or contribution funding agreements with the CNSC, if applicable
• potential interest of Indigenous Nations and communities and public stakeholders, and the number of funding recipients that can be expected (if applicable)
• total amount of ISCF financial resources available

A recipient may not receive approval to undertake all of the activities they proposed and/or receive all of the funding they requested. The final funding decision is made by CNSC management. The funding agreement will state the conditions under which the CNSC will provide funding and is conditional on both parties signing the funding agreement.

The ISCF Administrator notifies all applicants of the CNSC’s decision by email regardless of whether they are successful or not. If you are unsuccessful, you will receive an explanation of why your ISCF funding application was not approved.

5.2 Award notice and funding agreement

If the CNSC approves you for ISCF funding, you will receive a grant or contribution funding agreement along with your notification by email. The terms and conditions of the funding agreement are non-negotiable. By signing the agreement, you will initiate the funding award process.

The first step is to review and sign the funding agreement. Once you have carefully reviewed the agreement, sign and return it to the CNSC for signature. The agreement is not active until both parties have signed it. Once the agreement is active, complete the activity as outlined in your agreement. You may be required to submit a progress or performance report to provide an update on the activity. This information will be outlined in your funding agreement. The last step in the process is receiving funding payment. If you are approved for funding through a contribution agreement, you will be required to submit a financial report along with any receipts to be reimbursed for eligible expenses. Once the activity has been completed, the CNSC will send you a recipient feedback survey to complete. Detailed information on this process is outlined below.

5.2.1 Funding agreement

The funding agreement will include, but not be limited to including, the following information:

• The funding agreement effective date and duration
• The maximum amount of funding awarded
• The purpose of the agreement (i.e., the activity to be completed)
• Any deliverables required and a schedule with their due dates (i.e., progress reports or annual reports, if required)
• Due date(s) for the submission of the financial report and receipts (to be provided to recipients once the activity outlined in the agreement has been completed, or in relation to a progress report for multi-year funding agreements)
• Due date to return the signed funding agreement to the CNSC

5.2.2 Budget

In the notification email, the CNSC will provide applicants with a suggested budget. The suggested budget is based on the FRC recommendations on how recipients may best allocate the funding they are awarded to complete the activity outlined in their agreements. This budget is broken down by the ISCF eligible expense categories as illustrated in the sample budget in table 4.

Table 4: Example of a suggested ISCF budget

Expense category	Expense description	Proposed funding allocation
Professional fees	2 advisors at $2,500 each	$5,000.00
Travel	1 return Montreal to Ottawa train ticket	$200.00
Other costs	Photocopies, administration	$100.00
Total ISCF funding		$5,300.00

The CNSC will provide you with a budget like the one in table 4 to illustrate what amounts the FRC recommended and CNSC management approved for spending that may be different from your initial budget. As noted in section 5.1, the FRC makes recommendations based on several assessment criteria. Should you wish to discuss the breakdown of the allocated funding based on your ISCF application form, do not hesitate to contact the ISCF Administrator at your earliest convenience (see section 1.3 of this guide).

5.2.3 Review and signature

Please review the entire funding agreement that you receive carefully to ensure you understand and agree with all the terms and conditions, including the purpose, required deliverable(s), total amount of funding allocated to you, and the suggested budget.

5.2.4 Change request

If you wish to modify or forego any of the deliverables or requirements stipulated within your agreement, you will need to inform the CNSC by e-mail before signing your agreement. This includes redirecting funds among eligible expense categories within the proposed budget.

5.2.5 Agreement submission

Once you have reviewed and approved the agreement, please sign and return it to the ISCF Administrator by email at iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

If you are signing the agreement on behalf of a Nation, community, organization or association, you must demonstrate that you have authority to represent that organization (as described in section 4.1).

Once the CNSC has received your signed agreement, the CNSC will sign it and send you the final version by email for your records.

6.0 Recipient responsibilities

6.1 Meeting funding agreement deliverables

6.1.1 Contribution agreements

The CNSC disburses funding only when a recipient has met its agreement deliverables (i.e., completed the activity) and submitted a financial report. However, you may initiate eligible activities associated with your agreement once both you and the CNSC have signed the agreement. This may include, for example, hiring a professional to carry out the activity as specified in your agreement. If you are unable to carry out the activity without receiving funding in advance, you can request an advanced payment by contacting the ISCF Administrator. See section 7.2 for more information.

Requirements of your funding agreement may include providing the CNSC with a progress report, or performance report, on the specific activities undertaken to complete the activity outlined in your agreement. In the case of multi-year agreements, an annual report to update the CNSC on the status of the activity may be required.

Read your agreement carefully to ensure you understand the requirements before signing it and returning it to the CNSC.

6.1.2 Grant agreements

The CNSC will disburse funding once the grant funding agreement is signed by both parties. In some cases, grant funding will be disbursed in installments, or multiple payments. Depending on the nature of the activity, you may be required to provide the CNSC with a progress report, or performance report, on the specific activities that were funded through the ISCF before receiving the next disbursement.

Read your agreement carefully to ensure you understand the requirements before signing it and returning it to the CNSC.

6.2 Financial report

6.2.1 Contribution agreements

Once you have completed your deliverables, in order for the CNSC to release your ISCF funding you must complete and submit a financial report detailing all of the eligible expenses you incurred while completing the activity outlined in your agreement, including receipts and invoices. These expenses must align with the suggested budget and expense categories in the funding agreement. In the case of multi-year agreements, you may be required to submit multiple financial reports to receive full payment. A schedule will be included in your funding agreement. A sample financial report template is available on the CNSC’s website.

It is important to note that the CNSC will only reimburse you for eligible expenses up to the maximum amount awarded to you under the ISCF. The CNSC will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis and determine the amount of funding you will be able to claim based on the work you actually completed. If you are unable to demonstrate you have met your agreed-upon deliverables outlined in the agreement or did not submit a change request in advance, the CNSC may not release all of the ISCF funding.

6.2.2 Grant Agreements

The CNSC will disburse funding once the grant funding agreement is signed by both parties. Recipients are not required to provide receipts to the CNSC to receive their grant funding. In some cases, grant funding will be disbursed in installments, or multiple payments. If your grant funding will be paid in multiple installments, the payment schedule and any reporting requirements (if applicable) will be outlined in your agreement.

6.3 Recipient survey

The CNSC values feedback and recognizes the importance of continuous improvement. The ISCF Administrator will provide all ISCF funding recipients with a short survey following the completion of the funding agreement deliverables. ISCF recipients are required to complete the recipient survey and return it to the CNSC. The 6-question recipient survey is designed to get your feedback on how the CNSC can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the ISCF and CNSC’s engagement activities, and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Please email your completed recipient feedback survey to iscf-fscpia@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

7.0 Funding disbursements

7.1 Funding payments

The CNSC issues ISCF funding payments by direct deposit. You will be provided with a direct deposit form to complete and return to CNSC Finance (finance@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca) for processing.

If direct deposit is not an option for you, please submit a written request to the ISCF Administrator by email. The CNSC will consider your request and, if approved, issue a Government of Canada cheque to you or your organization through regular mail.

Upon receipt of the completed and signed final financial report, the payment will be processed and issued within approximately 30 days (or longer for cheques sent through regular mail).

7.2 Advanced funding payments

The CNSC may issue advanced funding to recipients following the signing of the funding agreement. If you are unable to carry out the agreed-upon deliverables outlined in your agreement without advanced payment, you may submit a written request to the ISCF Administrator stating your case for advanced funding. Note that advanced funding will not exceed 75% of the total amount awarded to you in your agreement. The remainder of the funding or appropriate difference owing will be provided after you have completed all the deliverables in the agreement and submitted your final financial report by the due date stated in the agreement.