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November 30, 2016

Contributions Program launches call for innovative research and knowledge translation proposals

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) today issued a call for proposals under its 2017-2018 Contributions Program, which funds independent privacy research and related knowledge translation initiatives.

The Office is inviting research and knowledge translation applications that advance its strategic privacy priorities. As in past years, the Office is interested in funding innovative initiatives that seek to better understand and address issues related to our priorities.

In addition, the OPC is particularly interested in proposals aimed at developing Privacy Codes of Practice.

Specifically, the Office is inviting proposals by not-for-profit industry, trade or professional associations, academics, civil society groups, and/or consumer advocacy groups to develop privacy codes of practice that will:

• Enhance organizational accountability,
• Promote regulatory compliance through greater certainty and predictability, and
• Augment information to individuals beyond privacy policies, helping to promote transparency and openness with respect to how privacy obligations are met and addressed.

Codes of practice can be aimed at a particular industry sector (e.g., finance, retail, automotive, etc.) or a particular activity (e.g., de-identification, online behavioral advertising, telematics, etc.).

All proposals—for research, knowledge translation or codes of practice projects—must address issues that fall within the scope of the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which sets ground rules for how organizations may collect, use or disclose information about individuals in the course of commercial activities. Proposals must also touch on at least one of the OPC’s strategic privacy priorities. When developing project proposals, applicants are strongly encouraged to review projects currently underway and completed projects from previous years in order to build on past or ongoing work.

The OPC Contributions Program is structured to fund projects that are initiated and completed within a single fiscal year (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018), although some exceptions may be made for multiyear projects that can demonstrate why the project requires more time to complete. All proposals will be evaluated on the basis of merit.

The maximum amount that can be awarded for any single project is $50,000. The annual budget for the Contributions Program is $500,000. This year, the OPC will divide its annual research budget of $500,000 as follows:

1. At least $300,000 will be set aside for successful research or knowledge translation proposals related to the OPC’s Strategic Privacy Priorities;
2. A maximum of $150,000 will be allocated to successful proposals related to the development of Codes of Practice; and,
3. Up to $50,000 will be set aside for the 2017 Pathways to Privacy call for proposals. (Note: This call will be issued in the spring/summer of 2017 and does not form part of the current call for proposals.)

All proposals must be submitted by January 16, 2017.

If you are interested in generating new ideas, approaches and knowledge about privacy that will help organizations or individuals make informed decisions about protecting personal information, please visit our website to learn more about the Contributions Program or go to the 2017 Applicant’s Guide to find out more information on project requirements and how to apply.

For program information, contact:

François Cadieux
Senior Research Analyst (Contributions Program)
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Tel.: 819-994-6010
E-mail: contrib@priv.gc.ca