Applications should be submitted electronically to the Secretary before March 31st, or October 31st. Instructions on how to complete the application form are included with the form. Applicants are urged to read the instructions completely to ensure that their application meets the Foundation’s grant criteria and that it is properly completed. Incomplete applications will not be returned for correction and any material in the application in excess of the five page limit will not be circulated for review.

A complete application should include the summary page and the application form (which includes the budget):

Please apply using both forms, and a budget chart.

Worthy projects are broadly those that meet one or more of the following criteria:

  1. promote public interest in the value of geological sciences to society,
  2. aim to provide training to high school teachers in the field of earth sciences,
  3. further the application of geological sciences to the development of natural resources through national seminars and conferences,
  4. provide career education through the preparation of booklets on geological sciences,
  5. support for the publication of special scientific papers involving national cooperation,
  6. result in publication of general geology textbooks, displays, videos and films emphasizing Canada and involving national co-operation, and
  7. involve geological societies in co-operative projects of national, long-term significance.

CGF is interested in supporting projects that spearhead innovative ideas, show a clear geoscience focus, and value equity and cultural and gender diversity. Digital outreach activities, including virtual delivery and communication, are welcome. Applicants should be aware that CGF does not fund equipment (unless it is exclusively linked to the project), nor salaries (unless it is a temporary stipend to support the development of a project). Proposals should leverage other funding sources and use CGF funds as seed with a clear indication of future sustainability without ongoing CGF funds. If you want to discuss ideas you are welcome to contact the Secretary.

CGF follows a three-tiered grant system related to the size of the grants being requested. Grant requests will be evaluated in competition with other requests within the same tier. For example, small grant proposals will initially be in competition with other small grant proposals for the share of that year’s disbursement total allocated to this tier. Adjustments to the totals within each tier my be considered at the recommendation of the grant selection committee. The three tiers are:

  • Small Grants <$10,000
    Grants of less than $10,000 have been the norm for CGF historically and it is anticipated that small grants will continue to be an important part of our disbursements with the largest number of individual grants. The granting application and approval system will have the same criteria, scope of project and application procedures as in the recent past. Our target for small grants is approximately 30% of the annual quota.
  • Medium Grants $10,001-$30,000
    Until recently, CGF has not had the resources to consider grants in the range $10,000 to $30,000. However, the foundation is now sufficiently endowed to consider making a few somewhat larger grants in any given year. These grants will allow proponents to consider making proposals of a more substantial nature. Granting application and approval systems for these grants will be similar to our current systems. Notionally, we expect to set aside about 45% of the annual quota, although because the individual grants are larger, there will be fewer of them available than the small grants.
  • Large Grants
    The foundation will consider making one larger grant per year of up to $45,000. These grants, because of their size, will allow a broader scope of work than the small and medium grants and will also require a more rigorous application and budget. Large grants will only be available to institutions or associations with capability to carry out large projects.

In addition, the foundation is now willing to consider the possibility of Multi-Year Grants (ie approval of a continuing grant for specific amounts to be paid in each of up to 4 years). Such grants will provide an opportunity for applicants with a specific need for a multi-year as opposed to a single year larger grant. The rationale for a multi-year grant will need to be strong, well justified, and with clear milestones and deadlines. A multi-year grant would be appropriate for projects with a long lifespan and well developed expenditure milestones or a well defined series of events that can serve as milestones. The annual expenditures for the project would be allocated in each year to the money available for small or medium sized projects (depending on the annual expenditure). These grants will require a separate, more rigorous application process, and a proven track record.

Each application for a grant is appraised on its own merits in relation to the general objectives of the Foundation and the monies available within the tier of the proposal. For any given year, all recommendations of the Grants Committee are first considered for approval at our Annual Meeting and by the Board of Directors at its Spring meeting which usually coincides with the annual GAC–MAC meeting. Applicants are notified within one month of the Directors’ meeting, and results of the competition are published each year in GEOLOG and posted on the CGF web site.