NHSP eligibility quick check
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (Employment and Social Development Canada) funds community-based projects up to CA$50,000 for the 2026-27 cycle. DCC fits the programme criteria directly.
2026-27 deadline: July 14, 2026. Applications must be submitted through canada.ca. Contact Two Birds Innovation before July 7 to allow one week for co-application support before the cutoff.
| Requirement | DCC Project Status |
|---|---|
| Non-profit or eligible organization applying | ✓ Libraries, seniors centres, settlement agencies, and municipal organisations are all eligible applicantsFor-profit organisations (like Two Birds Innovation) cannot be the lead applicant — they may participate as a delivery partner. The non-profit or community organisation holds the grant. |
| Project benefits seniors (55+) | ✓ DCC is designed specifically for adults 60+ with anxiety-first UX and large-format content |
| Project is new activity (not duplicating existing funded work) | ✓ DCC replaces the DLEP programme that ended March 2025 — no equivalent currently funded in most communities |
| Minimum one senior volunteer or advisory role | ✓ Include pilot participants as a senior advisory panel in your application |
| Project duration 12 months or less | ✓ 6-week pilot + 12-month deployment fits within the limit |
| Measurable outcomes with pre/post evidence | ✓ DCC module completion, quiz pass rates, and self-assessment surveys provide measurable data |
Ready-to-use project description
Copy and adapt the language below for Section 3 (Project Description) of your NHSP application. Replace the highlighted fields with your organisation's specifics.
The [ORGANISATION NAME] is deploying the Digital Confidence Centre (DCC), a free bilingual digital literacy programme developed by Two Birds Innovation, to serve [NUMBER] seniors aged 55 and above across [REGION], Ontario.
DCC addresses a critical gap created by the end of the federal Digital Literacy Exchange Program (DLEP) in March 2025. With essential services shifting to digital platforms, seniors who cannot navigate technology face real barriers to healthcare, banking, government benefits, and social connection.
The programme includes 31 self-paced modules covering:
- Smartphone and tablet basics, including how to undo mistakes
- Recognising and avoiding digital fraud (email, phone, and online scams)
- Online banking, telehealth access, and government benefit portals
- Staying connected with family through video calling and social media
- Safe use of AI tools and understanding AI-generated content
All modules are accessible on any device, require no account creation, and collect no personal data. Bilingual (English/French) throughout. The curriculum meets WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards with adjustable font size, high contrast, and screen reader support.
In this project, [ORGANISATION NAME] will:
- Identify and recruit [NUMBER] senior participants through existing community relationships
- Train [NUMBER] facilitators to support guided group sessions using the DCC facilitator guide
- Run a 6-week cohort programme at [VENUE(S)], one session per week
- Collect pre- and post-participation confidence assessments to measure programme impact
- Prepare a community impact report at project close
Measurable outcomes for your application
NHSP reviewers look for specific, measurable targets. Use these as a starting point and adjust to your organisation's context.
80% of participants completing at least 3 modules report increased confidence using digital tools (measured by pre/post self-assessment)
75% of participants demonstrate ability to identify common fraud tactics (measured by Module 2 quiz with passing score)
60% of participants report successfully accessing at least one online service (banking, telehealth, or government) by programme end
50% of participants report a new digital connection with family or friends they were not previously in contact with
Sample budgets
Two budget models below: a lean pilot (~$13,000) and a full-scale seniors-centre deployment using the full $50,000 NHSP envelope. Adjust based on your organisation's staff capacity and existing resources.
Option A — Lean pilot (library / small community org)
| Budget Item | Justification | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DCC Community Tier licence | Annual site licence — dedicated patron portal, facilitator training, co-application support | CA$1,000 |
| Staff coordination | Part-time programme coordinator, 5 hrs/week × 40 weeks | CA$4,000–$8,000 |
| Volunteer facilitator training | 2 half-day sessions, training materials, facilitator guide printing | CA$1,000 |
| Venue and equipment | Room bookings, device access for participants without personal devices | CA$1,500 |
| Outreach and recruitment | Posters, social media, notices in local press and partner organisations | CA$800 |
| Evaluation and reporting | Survey tools, participant tracking, final community impact report | CA$700 |
| Total | CA$9,000–$13,000 |
Option B — Full-scale deployment (seniors centre, $50,000 envelope)
Two 20-person cohorts over Year 1 (40 seniors). Two Seniors Centre staff trained as facilitators. Two Birds Innovation writes the application and provides delivery support.
| Budget Item | Justification | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Facilitator training and programme coordination | Two Seniors Centre staff trained as DCC facilitators; ongoing coordination and administration across two 8-week cohorts | CA$15,000 |
| Materials, devices, and equipment support | Tablets or laptop loans for participants without personal devices; print handouts; session supplies | CA$10,000 |
| Community outreach and participant recruitment | Posters, local press, partner referrals, senior advisory panel coordination | CA$8,000 |
| Accessibility accommodations | Large-print materials, assistive technology support, transportation assistance for participants | CA$7,000 |
| Programme evaluation and reporting | Pre/post confidence surveys, module completion tracking, final impact report to Service Canada | CA$5,000 |
| Contracted delivery support (Two Birds Innovation) | DCC curriculum licence, application writing, staff training delivery, ongoing facilitator support | CA$5,000 |
| Total | CA$50,000 |
Budget is indicative. Final figures confirmed during co-application working session with Two Birds Innovation. The 2026-27 NHSP cycle maximum is CA$50,000 per application. Seniors centres with a mandate primarily focused on seniors receive priority scoring under 2026-27 criteria.
Partnership letters you will need
NHSP applications are stronger with letters of support from community partners. Collect these before your submission deadline.
Host organisation
Confirms commitment to provide space, coordination support, and any in-kind contributions. This is your own letter.
Two Birds Innovation (curriculum provider)
We provide a letter confirming the DCC licence terms, curriculum content, and support scope. Included at no cost for Community tier applicants. Book a call to request this letter.
Healthcare or social services partner
A local doctor's office, Community Health Centre, or seniors' services organisation endorsing the programme's health and wellbeing outcomes adds weight to your application.
Municipal government (if applicable)
If your community has an Age-Friendly Community initiative or a municipal seniors advisory committee, a letter from that body strengthens community-relevance scoring.
International evidence base
NHSP reviewers respond well to programmes with demonstrated precedent. DCC is modelled on an Australian programme with confirmed federal funding.
Be Connected — Australia's national digital literacy programme for seniors
Funded by the Australian Department of Social Services and delivered through public libraries and community organisations, Be Connected has reached over 1.2 million Australians since 2018. DCC is structurally similar: free, bilingual, library-delivered, and designed for adults who did not grow up with digital technology. The Be Connected model demonstrates that this approach is fundable and scalable through community library networks.
Co-application support from Two Birds Innovation
Community tier DCC partners receive direct support scoping and drafting their NHSP application. This is not a template service — it is a working session.
What co-application support includes
- 30-minute scoping call to confirm eligibility and project fit
- Review of your draft project description and objectives
- Formal letter of support from Two Birds Innovation for your submission
- Budget line-item justification for the DCC licence
- Module and outcome mapping to your community's specific needs