Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

This funding opportunity will support projects that promote the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations through National Accessibility Week (NAAW) activities delivered in 2027, 2028 and in 2029, that highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities, raise awareness, and promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada.

Funding amount: Up to $3.6M in grant funding, over three years with projects receiving:

• up to $180,000 over three years for scalable NAAW projects; or

• up to $360,000 over three years for scalable NAAW projects that have regional or national scope and partnerships with diverse groups from within the disability community

Application period: Organizations can apply during the 2026 National AccessAbility Week and will have until July 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Who can apply: Eligible organizations can apply for up to $180,000 or up to $360,000 for projects that increase awareness through NAAW activities

ESDC will hold virtual information sessions to provide an overview of the application process for organizations interested in applying for funding. Sessions will be accessible with sign language interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). Please click below and select the date and language of your choice to register online for an information session:

• June 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT (French session)

• June 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT (English session)

• July 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT (French session)

• July 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT (English session)

If you require an accommodation to participate, please send an email to EDSC.AC.NAAW-SNA.CA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca 10 business days prior to the information session.

In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this opportunity must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.