Application Process
The main criterion by which the Foundation evaluates proposals, whether for Project grants, Internship grants, or Senior Fellow grants, is the degree to which the proposed work aligns with the Foundation's mission:
Max Bell Foundation reflects the spirit and intent of its founder to improve Canadian society. We encourage the development of innovative ideas that impact public policies and practices with an emphasis on health and wellness, education, and the environment.
More information about our mission and programs is available in the Strategy and Programs section.
The Foundation makes three types of grants, described in the Grant Types & Guidelines section. All proposals, regardless of grant type, are assessed relative to the guidelines listed in the Grant Types and Guidelines section.
Grant Type
If you are interested in applying for an internship grant, please follow the application process detailed in our Internship Grants section.
If you are interested in applying for a project grant or a senior fellows grant, please follow the application process below.
Application Process
If you have carefully reviewed the information referred to above and believe your proposed project will align with the mission and granting guidelines of Max Bell Foundation, we encourage you to submit a Letter of Intent.
There are three ways to submit a Letter of Intent.
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|
Download the Letter of Intent form and, once complete, mail to our office at: Alida White, Administrator | Submit your Letter of Intent using our online form. | You can download the Letter of Intent form, complete the form, and then upload the completed form via our upload documents page. |
Our Process
The Foundation carefully reviews every application that falls within our program areas and granting guidelines. An unfavourable decision from the Foundation should not be seen as a reflection of the quality of the endeavour. Rather, it is the result of the difficult choices that must be made from amongst the many worthy applications we receive from across Canada. The Foundation recognizes the efforts and aspirations of applicants, and appreciates the opportunity to consider their proposals.
The Foundation realizes that a significant amount of work can be required to develop project proposals. Assessing the availability and accessibility of data, reviewing the appropriate literature, conducting preliminary analyses, doing detailed planning, and so on, all require time and resources. Many research organizations lack the financial and human resources required to undertake these activities. In such cases, applicants may wish to review the Foundation's internship program, which could be a source of support for such developmental work.
Final decisions on grant proposals are made by the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Board meets three times each year, usually in May, September, and December. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and the Foundation requires three to six months of lead time to work with proposals prior to each Board Meeting.
It should be noted that the Foundation seldom provides 100% of the support required for any given project. To encourage applicant organizations to develop a broader base of support for proposed projects or initiatives, the Foundation will make challenge or matching grants when appropriate.
The Foundation makes use of a wide range of referees who are experts in our program areas, and we are very grateful for their perspective as a key component of the assessment process. Some of the individuals who have prepared reviews for the Foundation are listed here
The Foundation receives hundreds of applications annually. We cannot, therefore, either return application packages or provide reasons for unfavourable decisions.