Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) Applicant s Guide

Transcription

1 Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) Applicant s Guide The deadline for submitting an application to the NSS is Friday, August 29, 2014

2 Applicant's Guide 2015/2016 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF); National Search and Rescue Program (NSP) Vision and Objectives; Annual Program Priorities; SAR NIF Applicant s Guide and its Annexes; DEFINITIONS GENERAL INFORMATION SAR NIF Merit Process; Annual SAR NIF Call for Proposals; General Eligibility Requirements; Eligible Applicants; APPLYING FOR FUNDING How to Apply; Selecting a SAR NIF Partner; Submission through a Federal SAR NIF Partner; Submission through a Provincial or Territorial SAR NIF Partner; Submission from a Recognized National, Provincial or Territorial SAR Volunteer Association; Joint Proposal; Cost-Sharing; The SAR NIF Application; Submission by the deadline; Research and Development Proposals; IMPORTANT INFORMATION SAR NIF Merit Board; Types of Financial Arrangements; Responsibility of the Recipient; Voluntary Termination; NSS Termination; Auditing; Privacy; Minister's Discretion and Decisions; CONTACT THE NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SECRETARIAT

3 INTRODUCTION SEARCH AND RESCUE NEW INITIATIVES FUND (SAR NIF) Through the management and administration of SAR NIF, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) contributes financially towards projects that improve and enhance the objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP). To achieve this, SAR NIF funding is provided for projects that: enhance the effectiveness of SAR response in federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions; promote the sharing of response and prevention best practices throughout the SAR community; and, promote and improve SAR prevention. The SAR NIF has an annual allotment of $8.1 million available to federal, provincial and territorial governments, profit and not-for-profit Canadian organizations and associations from volunteer, academic or private sectors and individuals with responsibilities in the National SAR Program. IMPORTANT The SAR NIF is a multi-year funding program. Funds for new projects approved by the Lead Minister for Search and Rescue (LMSAR) are allocated after the NSS has fulfilled its funding commitments for ongoing multi-year projects. The SAR NIF is administered by the NSS in partnership with federal and provincial/territorial government departments/agencies with SAR responsibilities in Canada. For brevity, Federal Managing Departments/Agencies will be referred to as MDA and provincial/territorial governments referred to as P/T throughout this document. NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE PROGRAM VISION AND OBJECTIVES The vision of the NSP is: A Canada where the critical importance of Search and Rescue is reflected in a multijurisdictional approach to promoting individual, collective and organizational behaviors that minimize the risk of injury or loss of life while maintaining timely and effective response services. To accomplish this, the NSP has two primary objectives: Prevention Response To educate individuals and organizations on the assessment of risks and the importance of acquiring and using the knowledge, skills and equipment needed to minimize injury and/or loss of life. To ensure an effective and capable SAR response in all areas of Canada.

4 ANNUAL PROGRAM PRIORITIES The SAR NIF priorities reflect the annual priorities of the NSP which are determined by the Interdepartmental Committee on Search and Rescue (ICSAR). This year, the intent of the SAR NIF is to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, economy and innovation of search and rescue activities as it relates to the response and prevention objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program. As such, eligible applicants must address one of the following areas: Please note that special consideration will be given to the projects that specifically address Goal 1 in one or more of the priorities as listed below. Standardize reporting and improve data management to inform decisionmaking: Goal 1: Operationalize and expand SAR KMS through data sharing agreements including supporting platforms and processes to connect operational and administrative SAR resource and incident management systems at the local, regional and national levels. Goal 2: Develop and/or implement standardized approaches to SAR reporting including common terminology and consistent application of incident/training and resource management processes. Emphasize and effectively coordinate SAR prevention efforts across NSP partners: Goal 1: Support broad public awareness and targeted outreach to outdoor recreationalists through AdventureSmart program delivery and product development. Goal 2: Provide relevant, accessible, and timely safety information to the public and industry to reduce the frequency and severity of SAR incidents.support and sustain volunteers Goal 1: Enhance the ability of SAR volunteer organizations/associations to provide leadership and coordination for volunteers including professional development, management functions and operational skills improvement necessary for SAR program delivery Goal 2: Mitigate the risk to SAR volunteers by ensuring the application and/or provision of appropriate training, equipment and policies/procedures. Improve interoperability through coordination and communications:

5 Goal 1: Develop, implement and assess common processes, procedures and interoperable equipment through coordinated multi-jurisdictional training, exercises and deployments. SAR NIF APPLICANT'S GUIDE AND ITS ANNEXES This guide and its annexes provide general eligibility criteria and other information and tools to be used by the applicant when preparing their SAR NIF application package for funding consideration. Applications are reviewed and assessed by the SAR NIF Merit Board. The SAR NIF Applicant s Guide and its Annexes include the following documents: the Application Form (Annex C); the Budget Form (Annex D); the Project Plan Detail Form (Annex E): the Application Form Instructions (Annex B): the Applicant s Checklist (Annex F): and the SAR NIF Partners List (Annex A) NOTE: Applicants submitting a proposal for a research and development (R&D) project must also submit a separate, detailed research and development proposal (i.e. Abstract) as part of the SAR NIF Application Package. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of the SAR NIF, the following definitions apply. The NSS reserves the right to interpret these definitions: Activities: Tasks performed within the framework of a project to accomplish the stated objective. Applicant: A person, organization or association that submits a proposal for funding consideration. Cash Contribution: A monetary donation towards the project and obtained from sources other than the SAR NIF. Contribution Agreement: An agreement signed between the NSS and a SAR NIF contribution recipient that allows for the funding of an approved SAR NIF project. This is a legal document and contains all of the terms and conditions for funding. In-kind Contribution: A non-cash donation of labour, facilities, or equipment towards the project that can be given a cash value and that is obtained from sources other than the SAR NIF. Interdepartmental Committee on Search and Rescue (ICSAR): A committee providing advice on SAR matters to the Lead Minister for Search and Rescue (LMSAR), chaired by the NSS, Executive Director and composed of representatives from federal SAR delivery

6 departments and agencies: Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard); Department of National Defence (Canadian Forces); Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Environment Canada (Meteorological Service of Canada); Parks Canada; and Transport Canada. Lead Minister for Search and Rescue (LMSAR): Minister delegated with the overall policy responsibility for SAR and has the authority, responsibility and accountability for the coordination of the National SAR Program. Letter of Agreement (LOA): An agreement signed between the NSS and a MDA that permits the transfer of SAR NIF funds through the Parliamentary Estimates Process (Annual Reference Level Update and Supplemental Estimates) to the MDA. Managing department/agency (MDA): A federal SAR program delivery department or agency that is represented on the ICSAR and has agreed to manage SAR NIF Projects through a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSS. Milestone: A significant event or stage within the proposed project plan that signifies the completion of a major deliverable or a set of related deliverables. National Search and Rescue Program (NSP): The National SAR Program refers to the collective activities of government and non-governmental organizations in Canada having a primary or supporting role in the delivery of search and rescue response or prevention. Project: A set of activities presented in a proposal for which funding from the SAR NIF has been identified. Proposal: A written document developed by an applicant, describing a new SAR NIF initiative to be considered for funding from the SAR NIF. Recipient: An individual, group or organization whose project has been approved for SAR NIF funding and with whom an agreement has been established and signed. Recognized National, Provincial or Territorial SAR Volunteer Association: A National, Provincial or Territorial association/organization comprised of volunteers whose purpose is to provide search and rescue services. Associations are required to provide a letter of support from the SAR NIF partner of the jurisdiction that is impacted by the proposed initiative. Please refer to the How to Apply section of this guide for the list of eligible organizations. Research and Development (R&D): Body of work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications or equipment that will benefit the Canadian SAR community. SAR NIF Merit Board (MB): Chaired by the Director of Policy and Programs, NSS, and composed of representatives, or delegates of ICSAR and a representative for the provinces and territories. The Board evaluates and recommends to ICSAR for LMSAR approval a list of proposals, ranked in order of merit, that qualify for SAR NIF funding. SAR NIF Merit List (ML): A list of SAR NIF projects, ranked in order of merit by the SAR NIF Merit Board. The Merit List is used in determining the allocation of SAR NIF funds and is considered by ICSAR and recommended to the LMSAR for approval. SAR NIF Merit Process: Refers to the process of review and assessment which is undertaken by the SAR NIF Merit Board when considering a SAR NIF application for funding.

7 SAR NIF Omnibus Proposal: A strategic proposal submitted to the NSS from provincial or territorial governments that may contain one or more project activities that address the provincial/territorial SAR priorities. SAR NIF Partner: Refers to a Federal Department or Agency with Federal SAR responsibilities, or a Provincial/Territorial government organization. SAR NIF Technical Review Panel (TRP): A panel of industry experts, academics and researchers who provide the NSS with a technical review of SAR NIF applications that are undertaking a research and development project. The TRP provides recommendations that are considered during the SAR NIF Merit Process. GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION SAR NIF MERIT PROCESS The SAR NIF Merit Process is an annual activity undertaken by the NSS to review and evaluate applications for funding under the SAR NIF. The process is initiated by the NSS through the Annual Call for Proposals and culminates to its conclusion with the approval of the SAR NIF Merit List by the LMSAR. The following represents the cycle of the SAR NIF Merit Process. Period April Activity NSS issues the SAR NIF Call for Proposals August Deadline for submitting applications to the NSS October SAR NIF Technical Review Panel meeting November SAR NIF Merit Board meeting February/March LMSAR approval of the Merit List March Announcement of the approved SAR NIF Merit List and projects that will receive funding under the SAR NIF Once the SAR NIF Merit Process has ended and the Merit List has been approved by the LMSAR, the NSS advises its SAR NIF Partners of the results. The NSS then determines how much funding is available for new projects and begins the negotiation of financial agreements with the applicants that will be receiving funding from the SAR NIF. IMPORTANT The SAR NIF is a multi-year funding program. Funds for

8 new projects approved by the LMSAR are allocated after the NSS has fulfilled its funding commitments for ongoing multi-year SAR NIF projects. ANNUAL SAR NIF CALL FOR PROPOSALS The SAR NIF funding cycle begins with the release of the annual SAR NIF Call for Proposals by the NSS to its SAR NIF Managing Department/Agency and Provincial/Territorial partners. SAR NIF partners are to further disseminate the call letter to stakeholders within and outside their organization. All SAR NIF applications that are submitted under the SAR NIF Call for Proposal must be for projects starting after April 1, GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Those applying for SAR NIF funding must meet the following requirements in order for their application to be considered for funding: Be eligible for SAR NIF funding as listed in the table below; Receive support of a SAR NIF Partner; Have a minimum of 5% of in-kind or cash contributions to overall project cost from sources other than the NSS which are backed up by signed letters of support; Complete SAR NIF Application Form, SAR NIF Budget Form and SAR NIF Project Plan Detail Form; Applicants must submit their SAR NIF application and all related documentation, including support letters as outlined in Annex F SAR NIF Applicants Checklist, to the NSS by the deadline specified in the current SAR NIF Call for Proposals. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS For the purpose of the SAR NIF, the type of eligible applicants will vary depending on the jurisdiction that is impacted by the proposed initiative. Please consult the following table to determine whether you are eligible to apply for SAR NIF funding: FEDERAL SAR JURISDICTION Not-for-profit Canadian Organizations: SAR organizations that are registered as either a charitable and/or a not-for-profit organization. Canadian Universities and Colleges: Recognized Canadian post-secondary institutions. Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents: Permanent Residents as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Private, for-profit Canadian organizations: Canadian owned and PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIALSAR JURISDICTION Provincial/Territorial Governments: Departments/agencies delegated with the responsibility of managing activities related to SAR by the provincial or territorial government.

9 controlled enterprises. Federal Departments/Agencies: Government of Canada departments or agencies with SAR responsibilities. Recognized National, Provincial or Territorial SAR Volunteer Associations: Must provide a written and signed letter of support from the federal, provincial or territorial SAR NIF partner responsible for SAR activities in the jurisdiction impacted by the proposal. Note: It is the responsibility of the SAR NIF partner to ensure that the association they are supporting is eligible to apply directly to the NSS, as defined in this guide. Please refer to the How to Apply section below for the complete list of eligible organizations. APPLYING FOR FUNDING HOW TO APPLY Eligible applicant s wishing to submit an application for funds under the SAR NIF are encouraged to apply to: their respective provincial or territorial SAR representatives, if the project supports provincial and territorial SAR responsibilities (for example: ground and inland water SAR); or one of the managing departments or agencies, if the project supports federal SAR responsibilities (for example, SAR response on oceans, St. Lawrence or the Great Lakes); or directly to the NSS, if the applicant is a Recognized National, Provincial or Territorial SAR Volunteer Association. For the purposes of the SAR NIF, these associations are: Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary s (CCGA) 6 regional entities: National, Pacific, Central and Arctic, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Maritimes; Civil Air Search and Rescue Association s (CASARA) National organization, as well as its 13 provincial and territorial members organizations; Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC); British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA); Search and Rescue Alberta (SAR Alberta); Search And Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV); Search and Rescue Manitoba (SARMAN); Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA); L Association Québécoise des Bénévoles en Recherche et Sauvetage (AQBRS); New Brunswick Ground Search and Rescue Association (NBGSARA); Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association (NLSARA); Nova Scotia Ground Search And Rescue Association (NSGSARA); and Prince Edward Island Ground Search and Rescue (PEISARA). The National associations are required to provide a letter of support from their respective supporting department, while Provincial and Territorial associations are required to provide a letter of support from their respective Provincial or Territorial Government (see list of SAR NIF Partners under Annex A) SELECTING A SAR NIF PARTNER

10 Determining the appropriate SAR NIF partner is a crucial step in the SAR NIF application process. Applicants should review the mandate and jurisdictional responsibilities of all SAR NIF Partners to ensure that they have selected the appropriate partner. National SAR Program delivery: Canadian Forces (DND) - Federal air SAR resources: overall coordination of air and marine SAR response; ground searches for air and marine incidents Canadian Coast Guard (DFO) - Primary marine SAR resources; coordinated response with Canadian Forces; marine communications Transport Canada - Air and marine safety regulation and prevention (commercial and recreational) Meteorological Service of Canada- Environment Canada (EC) - Weather warnings, forecasts and data, education and research Parks Canada Inland SAR response and prevention in National Parks Provinces/territories Ground and inland marine SAR; coordinated by EMOs and police forces of jurisdiction Potential SAR NIF applicants are encouraged to contact and discuss their proposed initiative with a SAR NIF Partner prior to beginning the application writing process. NOTE: Whether choosing a federal, provincial or territorial SAR NIF Partner, applicants must ensure that their proposal addresses the SAR priorities of the SAR NIF Partner, as well as the annual priorities of the National SAR Program. SUBMISSION THROUGH A FEDERAL SAR NIF PARTNER The NSS recognizes five MDA s as Partners in the NSP. These MDA s have a prominent role in the effective and efficient delivery of the NSP. They are: Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces (DND/CF); Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard (DFO/CCG); Environment Canada (EC); Parks Canada Agency (PCA); and, Transport Canada (TC). SUBMISSION THROUGH A PROVINCIAL OR TERRITORIAL SAR NIF PARTNER SAR NIF applications for jurisdictions under P/T government responsibility must be submitted by the designated P/T department or agency. As such, the P/T government is the applicant and as such will be the recipient of SAR NIF funding. P/T SAR NIF partners are permitted to submit a single SAR NIF application to the NSS for consideration. P/T governments have been granted the flexibility in the manner in which they determine the initiatives that are included in the strategic plan or the single initiative that they wish to support. In the case of the strategic plan (omnibus), P/T partners must ensure that the application is written to encompass and link the sub-components into a concise and distinct project.

11 Should you wish to have your proposal be included as part of a P/T SAR NIF application, please contact the identified provincial/territorial contact to discuss your project (see Annex A). SUBMISSION FROM A RECOGNIZED NATIONAL, PROVINCIAL OR TERRITORIAL SAR VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION Recognized national, provincial or territorial SAR volunteer associations are permitted to submit a single SAR NIF application to the NSS. They must also provide, along with their application, a signed letter of support for their project from the SAR NIF partner responsible for SAR activities in the jurisdiction impacted by the proposal. JOINT PROPOSAL SAR NIF partners may collectively submit a proposal that is of mutual benefit to two or more partners. The proposal must address a SAR priority that has been identified in the participating jurisdictions, address an identified collective need and the benefits must be as equitable as possible to all partners. Examples of joint proposals may include, but are not limited to, the following types of activities: Multi-jurisdictional Exercises; Research and Development; Information sharing; and, Collective Data Management. In submitting a joint proposal, partners must designate a lead partner, who will act as the applicant, and if successful, the recipient of SAR NIF funding. The SAR NIF Application Form must be signed by a representative from each of the participating partners. Contact information for federal, provincial and territorial SAR NIF partners can be found in Annex A of this Guide. COST-SHARING Prior to applying for SAR NIF funds, applicants must secure funding from sources other than the NSS to contribute to the total cost of the project. The in-kind and/or cash contribution from other sources must represent at least 5% of the total project cost. Applicants must provide the NSS with letters of support confirming all other sources of funding (in-kind and/or cash). Each letter of support must contain the following: Name of individual/group/organization; Clear articulation of support; The type and amount of contribution being made (in-kind and/or cash contribution); The exact dollar amount of the contribution being made; and, Signature and date. An in-kind contribution is a non-cash donation of labour, facilities, or equipment towards the project which can be given a cash value. NOTE: For the purposes of the SAR NIF, rebates, vouchers, and discounts are NOT considered to be in-kind contributions.

12 For the purposes of provincial/territorial and association projects, in-kind contributions such as salaries, benefits, travel as well as secretarial, supervisory and administrative support are eligible for cost-sharing. For the purposes of the SAR NIF, when listing SAR volunteer hours as an in-kind contribution, the value will be set at $25 per hour. A cash contribution is any monetary donation from sources other than the NSS (SAR NIF). When receiving a cash contribution, the maximum total government assistance (i.e. total federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance) is one hundred (100) percent of eligible expenditures. The total SAR NIF assistance will not exceed ninety-five (95) percent of the project cost. THE SAR NIF APPLICATION All sections of the SAR NIF Application, including the Budget Form (Annex D) and the Project Plan Detail (Annex E), must be completed and submitted by the applicant. Incomplete applications will not be considered for SAR NIF funding. The NSS must receive the entire application package, including the letter of support from the SAR NIF Partner and the letters of support for in-kind and cash contributions no later than 11:59 pm (ET) on the deadline date established by the NSS. Detailed instructions on completing the SAR NIF Application Form, Budget Form and Project Plan Detail Form can be found in the Application Form Instructions (Annex B) of this guide. Please note that no additional information will be accepted after the deadline set out by the NSS in the current Call for Proposals. Failure to submit a complete SAR NIF application package by the deadline will result in the disqualification of the application from the SAR NIF Merit Process RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS The NSS encourages the continued research and development (R&D) into issues related to the search and rescue community. Applicants who are submitting a SAR NIF application which contains a significant requirement for R&D must prepare and provide a separate detailed R&D proposal. This must be submitted with the SAR NIF Application Form (further details can be found in Annex B of this guide). All SAR NIF applications for R&D are reviewed by the SAR NIF Technical Review Panel (TRP). The role of the TRP is to evaluate the technical aspects of the proposal and then, based on their evaluation, make recommendations to the SAR NIF Merit Board. IMPORTANT INFORMATION SAR NIF MERIT BOARD SAR NIF applications for funding received by the NSS are reviewed and assessed by the SAR NIF Merit Board. SAR NIF applications are assessed on the general eligibility requirements, as well as the merit of their proposal to:

13 Address the objectives and priorities of the National SAR Program; Address the priorities of Federal and/or Provincial/Territorial partner; Address the identified need through the project activities. The Merit Board will also evaluate the budget and project planning as outlined in the SAR NIF Budget Form and SAR NIF Project Plan Detail Form. Furthermore, the SAR NIF Merit Board will assess all aspects of the proposed project including its potential to improve SAR, the management capacity of the applicant and the financial risks. After the SAR NIF Merit Process is complete, the list of recommended projects is submitted to ICSAR for review and endorsement and then to the LMSAR for approval. The funds are then allocated to the approved projects based on available SAR NIF Funds. Please note that if a proposal that has made it onto the approved Merit List but does not receive SAR NIF funding due to the unavailability of funds, the applicant must resubmit the application under the next Call for Proposals. No priority will be given to these applications. Regardless of the proposals previous success with the SAR NIF Merit Process, it will follow the same process as all new applications. IMPORTANT The SAR NIF is a multi-year funding program. Funds for new projects approved by the LMSAR are allocated after the NSS has fulfilled its funding commitments for ongoing multi-year SAR NIF projects. TYPES OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS The SAR NIF provides financial support to eligible SAR NIF recipients using two distinct funding mechanisms. SAR NIF projects initiated by a MDA will receive funds via the Parliamentary Estimates Process (Annual Reference Level Update and Supplemental Estimates). This represents a direct transfer of funds from the NSS to the MDA. The NSS signs a Letter of Agreement on an annual basis with MDAs who will be managing Operational and Capital Expenditure (O&M) projects approved for SAR NIF funding. All Research and Development projects submitted by Federal Departments and Agencies will considered O&M and as such will be funded through the Parliamentary Estimates Process. SAR NIF projects initiated by Provincial and Territorial applicants or National, Provincial or Territorial SAR Volunteer Associations will receive financial support through the signing of a contribution agreement (CA) between the NSS and the recipient. The CA dictates the responsibilities of both the NSS and the recipient. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RECIPIENT Should a SAR NIF application be successful in the Merit Process, and should there be sufficient SAR NIF funds available for the project, the responsibilities of the recipient will be clearly detailed in the CA or in another financial arrangement.

14 Recipients must ensure that they understand and meet the terms and conditions of the CA or other financial arrangement throughout the entire funding period. Reporting arrangements will be negotiated between the NSS and the recipient, upon approval of the SAR NIF Merit List by the LMSAR and confirmation of available funds by the NSS. The reporting schedule will be detailed in the CA or another financial arrangement. All recipients of SAR NIF funding must acknowledge the Government of Canada's support for their project. The following guidelines are designed to assist organizations receiving support in publicly acknowledging financial assistance received from the Department of National Defence. Their purpose is to ensure that acknowledgment and recognition of Government of Canada funding is communicated in an effective, coherent and consistent manner. 1. When and Where to Acknowledge SAR NIF's Support Recipient organizations should acknowledge this support in all their public activities and in documents related to a supported project. Activities include training sessions and workshops, as well as awareness-raising and promotion (lectures/speeches, press conferences, etc.). Documents include those for distribution to project participants, as well as those for information and promotion purposes. 1.1 When to Acknowledge SAR NIF's Support Once funding for a project has been approved, an organization has many opportunities to acknowledge the support it receives, including: at the public announcement, launch or conclusion of a project; and in media interviews or other media activities. Even when the Minister or a representative of National Defence (NSS) has publicly announced a project, the organization still needs to acknowledge the federal support in the course of the project and in related promotional activities. Organizations requiring assistance should notify their SAR NIF representative at least 14 days prior to holding any public activity. 1.2 Where to Acknowledge SAR NIF's Support Recipient organizations must acknowledge this contribution in their project-related products, both material and electronic, including: advertising (print, television and radio advertising, outdoor and transit advertising, paid announcements); published material (news releases, bulletins, brochures, periodicals, books, booklets, leaflets, invitations, posters, public notices, electronic data); audio-visual productions and expositions (films, videotapes, videodiscs, PowerPoint presentations, Web sites, displays and exhibits); participant handbooks and guides; and certificates, awards and commemorative plaques. 2. How to Acknowledge SAR NIF's Support Organizations receiving support from the SAR NIF must acknowledge it by way of a credit line accompanied by the Government of Canada's bilingual signature and the Canada wordmark.

15 2.1. Credit Lines and Signatures To acknowledge support from the SAR NIF, organizations must use the credit line which best corresponds to their situation whether support was provided in financial form or in another form and if there are contributors other than the SAR NIF. A text message, in both official languages, should accompany the Canada wordmark, as well as the Government of Canada's signature. A text message may be replaced where placement is not possible (e.g., a radio broadcast). Depending on the circumstances, here is a bilingual layout for use in printed materials and suggested wording for verbal announcements. Order of the Official Languages in Signatures (Source: Appendix A, Official Languages, from the Federal Identity Program Policy The signatures of federal institutions must appear in both official languages in a side-byside format. The English or French signature appears on the left or on the right, depending of the situation, for example "...when the nature of the material or the specific public for which it is intended would make the use of this format more appropriate." Suggested Credit Lines: When the SAR NIF is the only federal contributor and there is insufficient space for a credit line or If more than one federal department or agency has provided support, the Government of Canada s signature and the Canada wordmark must be used. The Canada wordmark can be used as the sole identifier of federal support as long as the credit line makes reference to the SAR NIF or to the Government of Canada. We would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada for this project through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) Nous reconnaissons l'aide financière du gouvernement du Canada pour ce projet par le biais du Fonds des nouvelles initiatives de recherche et sauvetage (FNI de R-S) This project is funded (supported) (in part) by the Government of Canada through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) Ce projet est finance (appuyé) (en partie) par le Gouvernement du Canada par le biais du Fonds des nouvelles initiatives de recherche et sauvetage (FNI de R-S)

16 Note: Government of Canada signatures may not be altered in any way, must be given equal prominence to those of similar contributors, and must appear as distinct elements in a reasonable amount of white space. Their use and placement must not convey the impression of government ownership. The inclusion of Government of Canada signatures and the Canada wordmark does not constitute an official endorsement of a project, an organization, its stances or its policies. The logos can be obtained by requesting a copy from the NSS. VOLUNTARY TERMINATION The recipient may withdraw from the signed agreement upon providing written notice of intent to the NSS, delivered no less than ninety (90) working days prior to termination. Upon termination the recipient will return to the NSS any contributions, made by the NSS, which are in excess of the eligible expenditures incurred by the recipient up to the notice date. NSS TERMINATION Recipients of SAR NIF funding must adhere to the policies and guidelines as outlined in this guide. Failure to do so may result in the early termination of the project by the NSS. In addition, the NSS may seek reimbursement for the funds provided to date if the project is terminated. Circumstances that warrant an early termination by the NSS include, but are not limited to: Failure to meet reporting requirements; Failure to meet projected milestones stated in the proposal; and, Non-progress of project, leading to unjustified delays. Further, the NSS may terminate the commitment of funding should there be an unreasonable delay in the signing of the SAR NIF Contribution Agreement. SAR NIF Contribution Agreements should be signed by the recipient within the first six months of the fiscal year in which the project is scheduled to begin. AUDITING The NSS has the right to audit any SAR NIF contribution project. The NSS is responsible for auditing projects during implementation or following completion to ensure they are using funds for the outlined purpose, and are compliant with the Terms and Conditions of the Contribution Agreement. The audits will also determine whether an appropriate level of due diligence was applied in the management of public funds, based on compliance with program guidelines. PRIVACY All information provided to the NSS is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by a federal government institution and to provide individuals with a right of access to such information. The Act also stipulates that personal information obtained shall not be used without the consent of the individual to whom it relates, except for the purpose for which it was collected or for a use consistent with that purpose. Personal information collected by the NSS is used for:

17 Reviewing applications; Administering awards; and, Establishing databases for program planning and evaluation. MINISTER'S DISCRETION AND DECISION The information in the Applicant's Guide does not replace nor restrict the discretionary power of the LMSAR to introduce changes to the SAR NIF. Further, the decision of the LMSAR is final and may not be appealed. CONTACT THE NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SECRETARIAT For questions regarding the SAR NIF Application Process, please contact a SAR NIF Program Officer at the NSS at [email protected]