Frequently Asked Questions – CanExport Community Investments
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Applying
Who is eligible?
Eligible recipients are Canadian communities and non-profit locally based organizations seeking to attract, retain or expand foreign direct investment (FDI).
Please note that an eligible recipient must be incorporated (in other words, must be a legal entity) and able to enter into legally binding agreements.
When can I submit an application for funding?
There will be a notice posted on the program’s main page as soon as the call is open. Please check frequently starting in September.
How do I submit an application for funding?
Please follow the steps in the Applicant’s guide and register for the CanExport Communities portal
Is there a limit on funding?
The minimum payable to any organization for an approved project is $3,000.00. The maximum is $500,000.
Can my organization apply for funding if it is already receiving funding from other sources?
Organizations may apply for and receive funding from other sources. There are no restrictions on amounts that may be received from provincial or municipal levels of government or from the private sector.
If a community accesses other federal government support, the total federal support cannot exceed 50 percent of eligible expenses associated with the activities funded bythe program. Federal support received for activities and initiatives unrelated to the activities funded by the program do not affect the amount of thecontribution.
How is an application evaluated?
Applications are assessed on a comparative basis. All of the applications for a particular region are reviewed at the same time by an Adjudication Committee from that province/region. All applications are assessed against the same evaluation criteria. Based on this assessment, some applications are approved for funding, some are not approved. Of the applications approved for funding, not all receive the full funding requested—some components may not be approved by the Adjudication Committee.
At the time of application, all of the details of the project are not known/not confirmed. Will this affect the evaluation?
Yes. Although the application process occurs well before the start of the project, the adjudication committee requires a detailed application in order to make an informed decision. A lack of information may lead to your application not being approved. Ensure that the information you provide in the Application Form allows the committee to understand what the project is about, what results you expect to achieve and how the project will be implemented. You will not have an opportunity to provide further information on your project for the Adjudication Committee’s consideration.
My project will span over multiple years. Can I apply for multi-year funding?
The programonly provides funding on a year-to-year basis. The projects that you present must take place between January 1 and December 31. You may mention in your application that these projects are part of a long-term strategy.
How should I divide my project into components in the application form?
Projects must be separated into components. A “component” is a sub-project, logically grouping FDI-related activities sharing similar objectives. There are four activity categories that you will be able chose from before creating your component. For more information about these categories, please consult the Applicant’s guide. A component can have one or multiple activities within the same activity category.
My project focuses on community economic development for local businesses. I am planning on undertaking only eligible activities listed for the program. Should I submit an application?
No. The program considers funding ONLY for projects aimed at attracting, retaining or expanding foreign direct investment (FDI). If your project is not specific to FDI, it cannot be funded.
The project that we are proposing will involve other partners. What is the best way to submit a joint application?
It is recommended that one organization submits an application on behalf of the others. It is recommended that you include letters of support from your partners.
Why do I have to submit so much information to apply for funding?
In order to assess your application, the program must assess the information requested in the application form and accompanying documents. Requiring submission of a complete application package at the beginning of the assessment process helps to ensure that only eligible applications are assessed, and that the process is not delayed by subsequent requests for information.
Can I email my application documents to the program?
No. The only way to submit an application is through the CanExport Communities portal. Mailed, emailed or faxed applications cannot be accepted.
Can I submit an application after the deadline?
No. Applications cannot be submitted through the CanExport Communities portal after the call closes. Please be sure to complete your application before the close of the call, and if the call is closed, please check back on the program’s nExport Community Investments webpage for the launch of the next call.
Can I ask questions about the call?
If you have questions after reading through the content on the website, you may email them to communities.communautes@international.gc.ca. Answers that will be of general interest or assistance to applicants for funding will be posted here. Please check this website frequently.
Assessment results
What happens once a project is approved?
Successful applicants will be notified initially by email, when the project is approved. A second email including the Contribution Agreement as well as a summary outlining the approved activities will be sent out subsequently.
Why wasn’t my project or a component of my project funded if all the activities and expenses were eligible?
Funds are limited: not every eligible activity can be funded. Even if all the activities and expenses are eligible under the terms of the program, the Adjudication Committee will approve funding for those activities deemed as the most effective to achieve the expected results of the program.
What is a Contribution Agreement?
A Contribution Agreement is a legal document stating the general conditions of relationships as well as legal obligations and responsibilities of all parties. It will be sent by email to the contact identified in your application. This agreement will need to be printed, signed, scanned and sent to the program by email.
Who can sign the Contribution Agreement on behalf of the recipient?
The Organization Signing Authority identified in your application form should be the person who is authorized to legally bind the organization through an agreement.
Can certain aspects of the project be changed after approval?
Please note that once the project has been approved, any deviation from the contribution agreement (activities, objectives, outputs, etc.) must be immediately brought to the attention of program management. Written documentation of the proposed changes and justification must be submitted to the program management via email in order to seek approvals of the changes. An amendment to the contribution agreement may be required.
When is an amendment to the contribution agreement required?
An amendment is required in the following cases:
- change to the objectives of the Project;
- increase in the maximum amount of the Contribution;
- extension of the Expiration Date of the Contribution Agreement.
Please note that these requests will need to be reviewed and formally approved by program management prior to the drafting of an amendment. An amendment requires that a valid contribution agreement has been signed.
Can I propose an amendment before signing my contribution agreement?
No. You must sign your contribution agreement before proposing an amendment.
When will I receive my contribution agreement for signature?
The contribution agreement will be issued during the first few months of the funding year. It will be sent by email.
When can I start my project?
The start date for approved project is January 1. Funds incurred prior to that will not be eligible for reimbursements.
Undertaking funded activities
The main contact/signing authority has changed between the time that the application was submitted and the time that the Contribution Agreement was sent. What should I do?
Please contact programmanagement.
When will I receive payments for funded activities?
CanExport Community Investments is a contribution program that provides annual non-repayable contributions. Once, the application is approved, agreements are made for a one-year period from January 1 to December 31. In order to receive payment, you must submit a claim for reimbursement which includes proof that the expense has been incurred and paid.
What if I spend less than planned to complete all activities? Can I still claim the full amount approved?
The program funds up to a maximum of 50 percent of eligible and approved costs. The program only provides reimbursements for eligible and approved costs that have been incurred and paid upon verification of a valid proof of activity. If you were able to complete the project without using the full amount please advise program management as soon as possible.
How are claims submitted?
Claims for approved projects must be submitted through the CanExport Communities Portal.
I was approved for a specific project but circumstances have arisen and the project will no longer be the same as the one that was submitted and approved. What can I do?
You must contact program management as soon as you are aware that a modification is required for an approved project. This modification must be approved by program management prior to the disbursement of funds. Reimbursement will not be guaranteed if management was not notified of changes.
Technical questions?
If you cannot find what you are looking for on the website, please call 1-844-840-5138.
More content questions?
If you cannot find what you are looking for on the website, please send an email to communities.communautes@international.gc.ca.