Anticipatory Call for Proposals
Addressing Gender-Based Violence in the Criminal and Family Justice Systems

Overview

The Government of Canada is committed to its continued efforts in support of the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence.

Justice Canada is launching an anticipatoryFootnote 1 call for proposals for projects that:

Funding Opportunities

There are two separate funding streams open to applications:

Please note applicants must submit separate applications if they would like to apply to both streams.

How much funding is available for each project?

$16.6 million per year is available to address Gender-Based violence issues within the criminal and family justice systems.

The level of funding will vary from project to project based on the nature and scope of the proposed activities. Funds are limited and there is a need to ensure a diversity of projects and regional distribution of funding. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to fund all eligible projects.

Key Considerations

The following key considerations should be clearly addressed in every application. These considerations will be part of the assessment criteria for all applications received.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

Projects should include a gender-based approach and account for relevant intersectional factors, such as race, class, sexuality, age, disability, language, and/or immigration status, etc., in addressing the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and/or intimate partner violence.  Women report experiencing more physical injuries than men because of intimate partner violence and are twice as likely to report having been victims of sexual violence.  Women are substantially more likely to report fearing for their lives because of post-separation violence and are much more likely than men to be killed by a former partner.  Other individual and socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., race, sexuality, age, disability, etc.) also affect the likelihood of experiencing sexual violence and/or intimate partner violence.  When preparing your proposal, explain which groups your project will serve and how your activities will affect them, especially groups that face higher risks or barriers.

To learn more about GBA Plus and to assist with developing your application, you are encouraged to take the free online course: Introduction to Gender-Based Analysis Plus and consult Justice Canada’s GBA Plus Tool for applicants and recipients of federal funding.

Multisectoral Collaboration

Projects should engage in meaningful collaboration with service providers from different sectors (e.g. justice, health, housing, etc.) to meet the unique needs of diverse individuals who are at disproportionate risk of experiencing sexual assault and/or IPV. Applications should identify confirmed or proposed partnerships that will support service delivery to survivors and victims.

If possible, it is recommended to include letters confirming partnerships with your application.

Trauma-Informed Practice

Trauma-informed practice is a client-centred model that is built on knowledge about the impact of violence and trauma on people’s lives and health. It requires programs to integrate this knowledge into all aspects of practice and programming in ways that foster their clients’ safety, respect and empowerment. Trauma-informed practice in health promotion is an emerging and innovative approach that can help build resilience and reduce the negative health impacts for victims of trauma. Applications should demonstrate an understanding of trauma-informed practice as it relates to survivors and victims of sexual assault and/or IPV and describe how this practice will be built into project activities.

Official Languages

In support of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act, Justice is committed to facilitating the participation of official language minority communities and their organizations in the development and assessment of Justice's policies, programs and services having significant impact on the development of the communities. Furthermore, Justice is committed to taking measures to ensure that Justice's programs and services reach official language minority communities. In the context of project funding, these measures include:

Applications should describe how the proposed project will consider the needs of English and French linguistic minority communities, as applicable.

Length of Project

How to Apply for Funding

To apply:

Funding Decisions

Justice Canada may not be able to approve all eligible applications as funding is limited.

Funding decisions will be communicated by email to the contacts identified in the application. Funding decisions are expected in Summer 2026.

If your project is approved:

Additional Information

For further information, please contact:
Justice Partnership and Innovation Program
Programs Branch
Department of Justice Canada
Phone: 613-941-4193
Email: jus.jpip-pjpi@justice.gc.ca