The UNIFIED Assist Program works to identify and support community programs and initiatives focusing on increasing access to the game by assisting to remove barriers organizations are facing within underserved, under-represented or marginalized communities across Canada by providing financial support, as well as opportunities for development through Canada Basketball alignment programs.  

Organizations that are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experiences offered through Canada Basketball.

Read more about Canada Basketball development pathways below, or by downloading our 2026 UNIFIED Assist Program Application Handbook.

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Organizations that are eligible to apply for support through the UNIFIED Assist Program are organizations based in and performing services in Canada, and are:

• A registered charity
• A registered nonprofit or not-for-profit organization, program or initiative
• Registered Municipalities
• Metis, Inuit or First Nation community/band

Examples of organizations who are not eligible for support through the UNIFIED Assist Program are organizations who are:

• Not based in and performing services in Canada
• For-profit organizations such as schools, academies, and private institutions
• For-profit teams and programs

If you are an eligible organization or program, apply HERE.

Application Timelines‍

Applications for the UNIFIED Assist Program will only be accepted through online submission of the UNIFIED Assist Program Application form within the application window.

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Application Opens: December 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET  

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Grant Decisions Finalized: March 2026‍

Grant Recipients Announced: Spring 2026

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Grant Recipient Commitments

As a selected UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipient, applicants must commit to completing the following requirements upon receiving a grant:    

• Complete Safe Sport Training
• Complete a Grant Impact Summary Report
• Complete Canada Basketball Verification Program (if applicable)

Read more on grant recipient commitments such as Safe Sport Training, EDI training and Grant Impact Reports in the 2026 UNIFIED Program Assist Application Handbook.

Members of the Canada Basketball selection team, will review and score each application using an application scorecard and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion scorecard.

Program assessment will be based on applications that meet the eligibility criteria and the following criteria:

• Demonstrate commitment to at least (1) of the three development pathways – i) Coaching and Officiating, ii) Youth Sport Leadership, and/or, iii) Youth Basketball Development
• Show a plan for sustainability of the program in the community and/or provide evidence that demonstrates the intent to invest funds in the long-term infrastructure of the program
• Possess organizational capacity to complete the outlined program and meet the goals and objectives
• Innovative programs that fit the needs of the participants and the region and/or community
• Provide evidence that demonstrates success of the program is not solely dependent on Canada Basketball funds
• Preference will be given to applicants that have not previously received funding

In addition, all applications will be evaluated and prioritized using an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion scorecard based on the applications efforts to address systemic barriers to sport, specifically basketball, for marginalized, under-represented or historically racialized communities such as, but not limited to:

• Indigenous youth (i.e., First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit)
• Newcomers and Refugee identified youth
• Black youth
• Francophone youth
• Girl-Identified youth (in the case of gender-specific programming)
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ identified youth
• Youth who identify as having a disability (visible and/or invisible)
• Youth living in rural, remote and/or Northern communities
• Youth in low-income situations or from low-income families
• Other racialized youth groups

Applicants meeting ALL the applicable eligible criteria will be considered for financial support through the UNIFIED Assist Program. Grant amounts awarded to applicants will be determined fully at the discretion of Canada Basketball, based on demonstrated financial need, program reach, and funding availability.

Organizations who are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experience offered through Canada Basketball.

Apply Now.