The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has
announced the opening of its annual $1million+ Community Investment Program
granting initiative for 2020. Not-for-profits, charities, and researchers are
invited to apply for funding that will improve the health and quality of
Canadaâs internet. Applications close on 25 February.
The Community Investment Program from Canadaâs ccTLD manager
focuses on internet-related projects in Canada and awards grants of up to
$100,000, including one grant of up to $250,000. To ensure support for digital
projects in underserved areas and communities, this yearâs granting cycle will
give preference to initiatives that benefit students and rural, northern and
Indigenous communities. CIRA is looking for projects in these four areas:
- Infrastructure research or projects that improve internet speed, access, and costs.
- Digital literacy tools, research, and training programs to develop digital skills.
- Cybersecurity projects or research that promote usersâ safety online.
- Community leadership initiatives including events or research that engage Canadians in domestic internet policy issues.
âSince 2014 weâve funded more than 150 internet projects
from coast to coast to coast. Now weâre focusing in on some of Canadaâs hardest
to reach places,â said David Fowler, vice-president, marketing and
communications. âWeâre especially looking for projects that benefit students as
well as people in rural, northern and Indigenous communities who for too long
have faced barriers to participating in Canadaâs digital economy. We hope our
Community Investment Program grants can help teach our youth the digital skills
they need to be safe online, and fill the gaps in education and internet access
for people in under-served areas of Canada.”
Since 2014, CIRAâs Community Investment Program grants have
provided $6.7 million in funding for 151 projects across Canada. To learn more
about the program, funding categories, and projects that CIRA has supported in
the past, head to cira.ca/grants.
Past winners have included:
- CompuCorpsâ Indige-preneurs program provides digital literacy workshops for Indigenous women focused on building an online business.
- The Gwich’in Tribal Council and University of Alberta researchers created resources to support citizen decision-making regarding broadband deployment in the Northwest Territories.
- SimpleCell is an infrastructure project that allows residents without high-speed internet to access it from their cell phones and mobile devices within the historical Francophone region of the Port au Port Peninsula in Newfoundland.