Digitize Media Corp Logo

CYBER SECURITY
COOPERATION
PROGRAM 2025

Funds for initiatives that strengthen
cybersecurity efforts
Get up to $300,000 in funding for projects that fight cybercrime, protect critical infrastructure, boost cybersecurity skills, and strengthen Canada’s digital economy.
Get A Free Assessment

Background

Advances in digital technologies have enriched our lives and provided enormous benefits to society. Unfortunately, the same innovations that have brought us so many benefits have also exposed us to risks that threaten not only our digital infrastructure, but also the critical services on which we rely.

Support and innovation to improve our cyber security is an essential part of protecting Canada’s democracy, economy, and public safety. The Government of Canada is contributing to this work, in part, through the Cyber Security Cooperation Program (CSCP). The CSCP provides time-limited funding in the form of grants to support a range of initiatives aimed to reduce cybercrime against Canadians, strengthen Canada’s ability to protect its critical infrastructure, increase Canadians’ cyber security awareness, augment Canadians’ cyber security skills, and improve Canada’s competitiveness in the global economy.

Available Funds

The Government of Canada will be investing $10.3 million in project funding until March 31, 2030.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible recipients

The Cyber Security Cooperation Program (CSCP) is open to the following recipients:

  • .Canadian not-for-profit organizations
  • .Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit or Métis) governments, including a Council of a Band within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.I-5, or a government established under the authority of self-government agreement, which has been approved and has force of law under an act of Parliament or a legislature
  • .Canadian academic and research institutions, and
  • .Provincial, territorial and local governments and authorities

In addition to the above list, contributions may also be provided to the following class of recipients:

  • .Canadian for-profit organizations

Eligible expenses

You may only use funds for eligible expenses that are approved in the budget outlined in a funding agreement. Eligible expenses must be reasonable, incremental, directly related to, and required to carry out the project activities.
Eligible expenses include:
  • .Salaries and wages
  • .Office equipment, minor capital acquisitions (up to $10,000 per acquisition), and program supplies and materials
  • .Travel and living expenses for people directly delivering the project, which should follow the National Joint Council Travel Directive amounts
  • .Developing training manuals and procedures
  • .Professional and consulting fees directly related to the project objectives, including accounting fees to prepare audited financial statements
  • .Computer services, library expenses, research costs and collection and analysis, including: subscription and data access fees related to the project, such as:
      .electronic subscriptions and publications
      .services related to the collection
      .dissemination, provision, analysis and access to external data
  • .Translation and live interpretation
  • .Travel and living expenses for people directly delivering the project, which should follow the National Joint Council Travel Directive amounts
  • .Meals and/or refreshments for participants in activities and workshops directly related to the project, which should follow Appendix B of the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.
  • .Administrative expenses, which must not exceed 15% of total funding received for the CSCP project per year, if not already included in other line items. The amount must be supported by reasonable methodology and breakdown and be for costs directly related to the administration of the project.

Targeted projects/initiatives

The following projects/initiatives are being targeted for this current call for proposals. Projects that focus on one of these subjects may be given priority during the assessment phase. Applicants are encouraged to focus the articulation of their proposal around the main or primary project objective(s) and intended outcome(s).
  • .Projects and initiatives that support the development or sustainability of post-secondary level cyber security degree programs located in rural areas, or flexible programs through continuing education programs.
  • .Projects and initiatives that increase the ability of Canadians to recognize, avoid, and report on cybercrime, such as scams and fraud.
  • .Projects and initiatives that increase public awareness of cyber threats and improve Canada's cyber hygiene, such as:
      .those that promote free and trustworthy cyber security resources
      . provide cyber security resources in different languages, or
      .support the education of students at the primary and secondary education levels.
  • .Projects, initiatives, and research that contribute to Canada's cyber innovation, such as those focusing on:
      .Internet of Things (IoT) devices
      . Quantum computing
      .Artificial intelligence
      .Connected vehicles.
  • .Projects, initiatives, and research that contribute to Canada's understanding of the economics of cybercrime and cyber security.
  • .Projects, initiatives, and research that encourage organizations to prioritize consumer cyber security and/or encourage organizations to adopt secure technology.
  • .Projects and initiatives that support the cyber resiliency of municipalities, municipal services, and Indigenous communities.

Project readiness

Proposals should demonstrate readiness to begin the work detailed in their application soon after approval is received. Readiness could mean projects with a solid understanding of risks, costs and timelines; projects that have clear objectives and understood activities; and that can be delivered before March 2030.

Diversity, equity and representation considerations

Preference may be given to proposals that can demonstrate and provide proof of the following:
  • .Projects and/or research proposals that support and/or mobilize groups such as:
      .youth
      . Indigenous
      .LGBTQ+
      .elderly
      .vulnerable
      .other diverse communities
To become more cyber resilient and secure, innovative and adaptive, as well as more collaborative in this area.

Maximum funding per project

  • .Maximum funding shall not exceed $300,000/year
  • .Applications eligible for funding will be determined by a Senior Official Selection Committee.

Stacking requirement

  • .The maximum level of total government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses) shall not exceed 75 percent of the total eligible expenses, except for provincial, territorial and/or municipal government recipients, in which case the total government assistance will be considered to a maximum of 100 percent.
  • .Funding agreements may be in the form of multi-year funding. No project will extend beyond March 31, 2030.

Program Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted online no later than
11:59 AM Pacific Time (PDT) on September 25, 2025.

BOOK A CALL

Technical difficulties and questions

Should you have any questions about the application process, please contact us.