International Development, Aid and Collaboration (IDAC)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Last updated September 22, 2023

The 2023 call for applications has now closed. New projects being funded will be announced in 2024. Timelines for the next call for applications will be announced next year.

Read the FAQ below to learn more about the funding program. If you have any other questions, contact the team at IDAC@royalcollege.ca.

General information

What projects led by Fellows does the Royal College support through the IDAC funding program?

Through the IDAC funding program, Royal College Canada International (RCCI) supports projects led by Fellows that involve the following activities in communities in need:

postgraduate medical education (PGME) and specialty residency training program development and expansion (i.e., capacity building);
lifelong learning for health professionals (i.e., continuing professional development);
faculty development (workshops/courses) aimed at upskilling faculty and resident trainee competencies (non-clinical);
interprofessional training programs to improve the health care education system;
patient safety;
integration of simulation technologies and methodologies into PGME programs; and
integrating education technologies such as simulation-based education and assessment.

When do IDAC calls for applications open and how will Fellows be informed?

IDAC calls for applications typically open in the spring season. Fellows will be informed through Royal College communications channels and social media.

Do IDAC calls for applications open on an annual basis?

Yes, typically in the spring season. However, IDAC calls for applications may be delayed or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Application process

Who is eligible to apply for IDAC?

Fellows with an active membership with the Royal College and involved in a project that meets the IDAC program’s eligibility criteria are eligible to apply.

What are the IDAC program’s eligibility criteria?

Prior to applying, please ensure the following eligibility criteria have been met in full:

may only be submitted by Fellows of the Royal College with an active membership;
must be aligned with the mandate and mission of the Royal College and RCCI, and must demonstrate impact and sustainability;
cannot exceed three years’ duration and will not exceed CAD (Canadian dollar) $30,000 annually in funding requests;
must have a demonstrable collaboration with credible partners within the host country; and
must demonstrate how the project will build local capacity.

Additional eligibility criteria considered to be an asset include:

financial partnerships and/or support from an external partner within the host country; and
partnerships with one or more organizations in Canada (i.e., faculty of medicine, university, registered charitable organization, national specialty society, specialty committee, or government program).

Note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications that meet the eligibility criteria are not guaranteed to be approved for funding support.

Is RCCI currently accepting IDAC project applications? If so, what is the deadline?

The 2023 call for applications has now closed. New projects being funded will be announced in 2024. Timelines for the next call for applications will be announced next year. Explore the application criteria below to see if your project could be eligible for IDAC support.

How do Fellows apply?

If interested in the program, Fellows are required to complete and submit an online application form.

Note that RCCI does not accept emailed or mailed applications; all applications must be completed and submitted online. IDAC funding cannot be used to fund expenses related to payment of labour (e.g., honoraria, stipends, per diems, etc.), nor can it be used to fund research projects.

Can the online application form be completed in more than one session?

Yes. To enable this option, the applicant will need to provide an email address. Once provided, the platform will then send a unique link to the applicant’s email inbox. Through the link, the applicant will be able to access and continue completing the online application form at a future date and time. Additional instructions are included on top of the form.

The online application form involves assigning a Project Lead. Who is the Project Lead?

The Project Lead is the assigned leader and representative of the associated project, in which RCCI will be in communication with throughout the application, funding and reporting process. The assigned Project Lead must be a Royal College Fellow with an active membership with the Royal College.

Can there be more than one Project Lead assigned per project?

No. Only one Project Lead can be assigned per project for all communication purposes with RCCI. If more than one Fellow is involved in the project, Project Leads will have the option to list Fellows individually in the online application form.

Are supported or additional documents accepted with applications?

No. Supported or additional documents are not accepted with applications (e.g., reference letters).

How will applicants know if applications have been received?

After completing and submitting the online application form, an acknowledgement of receipt message will then appear to confirm receipt of the application. Applicants do not need to contact RCCI or the IDAC team to confirm receipt.

How will applicants know if applications are incomplete?

The online application form includes mandatory fields to complete. If a mandatory field is not complete, the applicant will not be able to submit the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all answers to questions – both for fields that are mandatory and not mandatory – are complete before submitting the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How will an applicant know if their project meets the program’s eligibility criteria?

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the associated project meets the program’s eligibility criteria. Please consult the eligibility criteria and the FAQ in full before applying.

Assessment process

When will IDAC applications be assessed – how long will it take?

All IDAC applications will be assessed after the application deadline of September 22, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT), through to February 2024.

What will the assessment process involve?

The process will involve RCCI and the IDAC evaluation team assessing applications for completeness and alignment with the program’s eligibility criteria and the Royal College’s mandate. Applications will also be assessed based on the project’s sustainability and impact on the host country or countries.

Decision, notification and next steps

When will a decision be made on which projects have been selected?

The decision will be made after the assessment process is complete, approximately February 2024.

When and how will Project Leads be informed of their application’s status – i.e., approved or not approved for funding support?

Project Leads will be informed of the decision soon after the assessment process is complete, which should be at some point in February 2024. Project Leads will be informed via email.

For approved projects, when will funding support begin?

Funding support may begin as soon as April 1, 2024, conditional on signing a formal IDAC project agreement with RCCI before April 1, 2024.

If a project is approved for funding support, what will be the next steps?

The Project Lead associated with the project will be invited to meet virtually with the IDAC team at which point the Project Lead will be informed of next steps. This will be followed by a formal IDAC project agreement signature process between the Project Lead and RCCI.

Note that funding is conditional on signing/finalizing a formal project agreement with RCCI within three (3) months of receiving the agreement. Completion and submission of the finalized agreement, as well as all associated financial forms, will be required by a deadline set by RCCI.

If a project is not approved for funding support, can the Project Lead apply again in the next call for applications?

Yes. In fact, it is encouraged to do so as only a certain number of projects can be supported and accommodated per year.

For projects that are not selected, is feedback provided for future applications?

Due to the high volume of applications received, and to ensure continued transparency and fairness to the IDAC selection process, RCCI will not provide any feedback on how to improve future applications.

Reporting process

Note that this section of the FAQ is only applicable to projects that are receiving funding support through the IDAC program.

If a project is approved for IDAC funding support, is the Project Lead associated with the project expected to complete reports during the funding period?

Yes. The Project Lead will be asked to complete reports on an annual or semi-annual basis. Additional details will be included in the formal IDAC project agreement with RCCI.

Is the reporting process done online?

Yes. When requested to complete a report, RCCI will share a link with the Project Lead to complete an online report form.

Note that RCCI does not accept emailed or mailed reports; all reports must be completed through the online report form.

Will the online report form involve tracking project financial details?

Yes. The online report form will ask the Project Lead to track the project’s financial details in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which will then need to be uploaded to the online report form before submitting the report. RCCI will share a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet template at the time the Project Lead is requested to complete a report.

Can the online report form be completed in more than one session?

Yes. To enable this option, the Project Lead completing the report will need to provide an email address. Once provided, the platform will then send a unique link to the Project Lead’s email inbox. Through the link, the Project Lead will be able to access and continue completing the online report form at a future date and time. Additional instructions will be included on top of the form.