The National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) Call for Proposals application process is structured into three progressive phases.
The Call for Proposals Guide provides additional detail on each phase of the application process and is a useful resource when preparing an application.
The three phases include:
Interested applicants must first register in the NCC’s Adsigno Portal to access the Letter of Intent (LOI) application.
The LOI is an opportunity for applicants to provide an overview of the proposed project, estimated project costs, and potential or confirmed sources of matching contributions.
The Call for Proposals Guide and the FAQ are helpful resources when preparing an LOI application. A user guide is also available to help applicants navigate the Adsigno Portal.
The NCC reviews LOI submissions for eligibility and completeness. The review also considers opportunities for collaboration among applicants and across projects, as collaboration is a key objective of NCC funding programs.
LOI submissions that meet NCC requirements will be invited to submit a Project Proposal in the next phase. If an LOI is selected, the Lead Organization must be a Member in good standing with the NCC for the application to proceed.
Applicants are encouraged to use the Evaluation Review Criteria outlined in the Call for Proposals Guide when preparing their Project Proposal. The FAQ is also a helpful resource during this stage.
An external panel of subject matter experts, known as the Evaluation Committee, reviews Project Proposals in Stage 2. Proposals are scored against the Evaluation Review Criteria. Scores are consolidated and discussed during consensus meetings, where the Evaluation Committee determines which proposals are recommended for Stage 3.
Following Stage 2 evaluation, all project leads and their organizations receive written notice regarding the outcome of their Project Proposal.
If a proposal is successful at Stage 2, the NCC will request additional documentation to complete and validate the submission.
Requested documentation may include:
Project leads and their organizations are notified of funding decisions after Stage 3 and all deliberations are complete. For successful projects, the NCC enters into an Ultimate Recipient Agreement with the awarded Lead Organization.
If a project receives NCC grant funding, the Lead Organization must pay an additional 3.5% incremental membership fee based on the amount of the award. Partner organizations receiving NCC funding from the project must also become members in good standing with the NCC. Other partner organizations are encouraged to become NCC members.
This guide provides detailed information about the application process.
Preparing a funding proposal can be complex, but the NCC team supports applicants throughout the process. A list of frequently asked questions helps applicants prepare their submissions.
The NCC supports initiatives funded by the Government of Canada through the Cyber Security Innovation Network program. As part of the Call for Proposals, submissions are accepted across multiple funding streams.