Are you or your organization interested in testing new ways of working in sport? Are you committed to monitoring and measuring results? Do you have an interest in collaborating with researchers and evaluators? Are you able and willing to share the stories nationwide to improve sport participation experiences for Canadians? Then this opportunity may be for you!

Context

• The Innovation Initiative is a subcomponent of Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program (SSP), which supports the development of Canadian athletes and coaches.

• The SSP – Innovation Initiative provides funding to eligible organizations for the testing of innovative programming that supports the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy.

• The SSP – Innovation Initiative enables the testing of innovative quality sport approaches, the trial of new programs, strategies, and technologies; in order to develop evidence-based solutions that can be shared nationwide.

• The objectives of the SSP – Innovation Initiative are to:

• test new or adapted quality sport approaches (e.g., new programs, strategies and technologies) that align with one or more of the Canadian Sport Policy goals;

• evaluate and document successes and failures of the approach; and

• share results for nationwide use and implementation.

• The SSP – Innovation Initiative seeks to support pilot projects with either a sport participation or sport for social development outcome. The sport activities employed in the pilot project must be consistent with the principles of quality sport. Eligible projects will pilot:

• a new sport program;

• a new sport for social development program;

• an existing sport program for a new population or purpose; or

• an adaptation of an existing sport program in order to align it with the principles of quality sport.

• For 2022-2023, Sport Canada is seeking project concepts that address sport participation challenges for Indigenous Peoples, Black, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and Newcomers.

The Role

This is an opportunity to play a leadership role in the testing of innovative quality sport approaches, the trial of new programs, strategies, and technologies in order to develop evidence-based solutions that can be shared nationwide.

To be eligible for funding, the organization must be a federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organization and have independently audited (if available) and board-approved financial statements for the past fiscal year.

The maximum contribution amount is determined on a project-by-project basis and is limited overall by annual available funding.

Annual and multi-year pilot projects of up to three (3) years may be considered. Further details will be provided.

To Express Interest

Please send your pilot concept to sportcanadainnovation@pch.gc.ca by March 4, 2022:

Each pilot concept must be no more than 1500 words, use the headings below and include a brief description of:

1. Applicant information

a. Organization name, address and contact details

b. Primary / Secondary contacts and titles;

2. Project title;

3. The sport-related problem;

4. The hypothesis that will be tested to address the problem;

5. The specific population(s) with who the organization will be working;

6. The pilot concept and the expected results;

7. Innovation aspect;

8. Quality sport;

9. How the pilot will be evaluated;

10. The names of other organizations (if any) involved in the delivery and evaluation of the pilot project; and,

11. The estimated, overall costs associated with the implementation and evaluation of the pilot.

Assessment Criteria

• Organizational Eligibility/Completeness

• Pilot Eligibility

• Soundness

• Financial Feasibility for Sport Canada

Key Dates

January 21, 2022: Launch of 2023-2023 Innovation Initiative – SSP Call for Concepts

February 2, 2022: 2023-2023 Innovation Initiative – SSP Information Session

February 22, 2022: Deadline to submit draft pilot concepts for feedback

March 4, 2022: Deadline to submit pilot concept

Questions? Please contact sportcanadainnovation@pch.gc.ca