Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS)

Alternate formats

Step 1: Create your profile

• Create your user name and password using one of the two Government of Canada options.
  • Sign-in Partners or GCKey.
• Create your user profile.
• Create your organization’s profile.

Estimated Completion Time: 1 day

Step 2: Validate your profile

• Validate your identity either:
  • online through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) using your My Account.
  • in-person at a Service Canada Centre.
• Validate your organization’s business number, legal name and the address, as registered with CRA.

Estimated Completion Time: 1-10 days

Step 3: Enter your authorization code

• The head of your organization will receive a letter with an authorization code with instructions on next steps.
• Enter this code into GCOS to complete your registration.
• You are now registered.

Estimated Completion Time: 3-7 days

Did you know?

You can apply for funding online through the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) platform.

Creating a GCOS account is a ONE-TIME process and allows you to apply for various funding opportunities with Employment and Social Development Canada in a secure web environment.

GCOS allows you to apply and track your application status, sign agreements, manage active projects, submit supporting documents, and review past projects submitted through GCOS.

You can create your GCOS account ahead of time so you are ready to apply for future grants and contributions funding opportunities.

You will have convenient 24/7 access to your account including on all mobile devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we have one account for our organization and share the username?

No For security and accountability reasons, each user must have their own username and password.

Why is my account still pending?

The account will remain pending until all three registration steps are completed.

The account will show as pending until the steps to validate the organization and the individual are completed and the authorization code has been used to activate the account.

My organization had an account but the responsible person left, can I access the account information?

Yes After you create your own username & password, validate your identity and enter the authorization code.

Once you have validated your identity, the authorization code will be mailed to the head of the organization to authorize you to act on behalf of the organization. Once completed, you will be able to access all the account information.

How long does it take to create an account?

The time can vary depending on how quickly you complete each step. On average it takes 2 weeks.

Choosing to validate your identity through your My Account with the Canada Revenue Agency is faster than choosing to validate in person at a Service Canada Centre.

In the event of a disruption of Canada Post services, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Service Canada will provide you with additional support to complete Step 3 (entering the authorization code into GCOS).

Why do I need to validate my identity to create a GCOS account?

GCOS enables you to apply for funding and manage agreements on behalf of your organization. In order to do any of this online with confidence and integrity, it is necessary that the main account holder validate their identity.

For more information and to register for GCOS

Click: www.ca-ciconline.com/esdcgrantscontributions

Call: 1-800-367-5693 (Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday)

E-mail: NA-GCOS-SELSC-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

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