Regional Development Study

Am I eligible?

Your organization could be eligible for the Regional Development Study program if it falls under one of the following client categories:

• an organization or institution dedicated to the production and dissemination knowledge, such as a university, teaching facility or research establishment;
• a regional economic development group or association.

The Agency encourages collaboration among these client groups.

What information must I include with my study proposal?

To facilitate the analysis of your application, your proposal must include the following information:

• a full profile of the organization;
• a detailed description of the study project (objectives, methodology, timetable and target participants);
• a work plan showing the expected results, overall cost estimates (including the cost of translating the executive summary and dissemination tools, which must be presented in both official languages), other sources of financing and amount requested;
• a knowledge dissemination and transfer plan, including implementation costs.

Your study proposal must be submitted in 8 duplicate hard copies and in electronic format (PDF file).

Any proposal that does not satisfy all of the above requirements shall be automatically rejected without further consideration. Written notification to that effect shall be sent to the organization.

Is my project eligible?

The evaluation of the study proposals and determination of funding levels shall be based on the following criteria:

• the study project’s contribution to achieving the objectives and expected results identified in the call for proposals;
• the proposed methodology for carrying out the project;
• the experience and qualifications of the study project team and its capacity to fully execute the project;
• the organization’s demonstrated understanding of the objectives and scope of the need for knowledge;
• the usefulness and practicality for economic development stakeholders of the information and knowledge to be generated by the project; 
• the work plan and dissemination plan;
• the total cost of the proposal, including a cost breakdown by task and activity.

Proposals that meet all of the criteria shall be evaluated with impartiality and transparency and receive fair and equal treatment. As such,

• the proposals shall be evaluated primarily by government representatives. The Agency may bring in external evaluators;
• any external evaluators called in will be required to sign a confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement to ensure all proposals receive fair treatment;
• the Agency reserves the right to contact collaborators identified in any proposal to confirm the nature and scope of their involvement; 
• all submitting organizations shall be sent written notification of their score, including their ranking among the qualifying proposals (e.g.: 1st out of 15 proposals). 

At the conclusion of this process, the Agency may negotiate one agreement or several agreements, subject to the number of proposals received. If none of the proposals are found to adequately meet the objectives of the call for proposals, the Agency reserves the right at all times to reject all proposed projects.

The Agency reserves the right to demand additional information from the submitting organization prior to the signing of any contribution agreement.

What kind of financial assistance is available?

Financial assistance under this program may be offered in the form of a non-repayable contribution or grant and must comply with the provisions of the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments.

The total non-repayable contribution or grant amount awarded shall be specified in each call for proposals.  

Eligible costs 

Eligible costs include all of the expenses directly related to the project that are deemed reasonable and necessary to its execution. The level of government assistance granted shall generally not exceed 90% of the eligible costs. The organization must assume at least 10% of the project’s eligible costs, either financially or in goods and services. The Agency encourages collaborative partnerships in project financing.