Digital Citizen Contribution Program

Organizations working to strengthen public trust and digital literacy across Canada often struggle to secure funding for in-depth, non-commercial research. The Digital Citizen Contribution Program offers meaningful support for projects that address this gap by helping Canadians better understand and respond to online disinformation, digital manipulation, and other online harms. Delivered by Canadian Heritage as part of the federal Digital Citizen Initiative, the program focuses on research and citizen-focused activities that contribute to a healthier, more resilient digital environment.

This funding opportunity is geared toward nonprofits, academic institutions, researchers, and community-based organizations undertaking work in a Canadian context. Supported projects typically explore how disinformation spreads, how it affects different communities, and what practical tools or approaches can help citizens navigate digital spaces more safely and critically. Funding can reach into the range of a few hundred thousand dollars per project, making it possible to carry out multi-year research, develop evidence-based resources, or test innovative approaches with measurable outcomes.

The program runs through time-limited calls for proposals rather than continuous intake, and applications are assessed based on the clarity of objectives, expected results, and overall impact. For organizations interested in contributing to democratic resilience and social inclusion in Canada, learning more about upcoming intakes and program requirements can help determine whether this funding aligns with their mission and research goals.