BUDGET GUIDELINES — ONCAT RESOURCE GRANTS
Budget Guidelines - ONCAT Resource Grants
Purpose and Scope
- ONCAT grants are intended to support projects with defined timelines and activities.
- ONCAT grants are not intended to cover operating budgets for administrative departments and/or ongoing costs for permanent programs.
- ONCAT grants cannot be used to support projects that have received (or have applied for) any funding from the Credit Transfer Innovation Grant (CTIG), eCampusOntario, and/or the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO).
Personnel Costs
The following expenses are eligible:
- Fees for research personnel, for time that is directly allocated to the project’s activities
- For each role, list either (1) the daily rate and the total number of days, or (2) the hourly rate and the total number of hours.
- Fees for administrative personnel, for time that is directly allocated to the project’s activities
- For each role, list either (1) the daily rate and the total number of days, or (2) the hourly rate and the total number of hours.
- Honoraria for external advisors (e.g., Indigenous Elder, cultural consultant)
- Fees for external contractors (e.g., translator, designer)
- Faculty members affiliated with any publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario cannot be engaged as external contractors.
The following expenses are ineligible:
- Salaries, honoraria, or fees for faculty members affiliated with any publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario
- Salaries or fees for the instructional delivery of any for-credit courses
- Retirement, termination, and severance costs
Project Costs
The following expenses are eligible:
- Professional meetings with representatives from multiple postsecondary institutions
- Professional meetings with representatives from employers, community associations, and other external stakeholders
- Facility rentals
- Temporary licenses for software that is (1) directly related to the project’s activities, and (2) not normally available through the not-for-profit organization or incorporated business
- Audio-video documentation for the project (e.g., photographer, videographer)
- Rental fees for equipment
- Promotional materials that are directly associated with the project’s activities
- Reasonable incentives (e.g., gift cards and prizes) for participation in surveys, interviews, and focus groups
The following expenses are ineligible:
- Capital expenditures (e.g., purchase of furniture, renovation of facilities)
- Computer hardware, audio-video equipment, or tools
- Onboarding, membership, or licencing fees paid to an external service provider
- Onboarding, membership, or fees paid to professional associations
- Student awards, bursaries, or scholarships
Travel Costs
ONCAT recognizes that in-person meetings or consultations may be necessary to conduct project activities. To reduce travel costs and environmental impact, ONCAT encourages videoconferencing whenever possible.
The following expenses are eligible:
- Air/rail tickets, ground transportation, car rental or kilometric allowance, accommodation, and/or meals
- For any travel expenses, list the purpose of the trip(s), destination(s), and duration(s).
All travel expenses should adhere to the Government of Ontario’s Travel, Meal, and Hospitality Expenses Directive.
Overhead and Administration
Budgets may include a line item to cover the following overhead and administration costs:
- Copying and printing, telephones and internet, office supplies and stationary, and general support provided by the not-for-profit organization or incorporated business.
Overhead and administration costs cannot exceed 10% of the total request for ONCAT funding.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments, contact Inna Yeranosyan, Grants and Projects Specialist.
ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario. All programs and details are subject to change without notice.