What are the MCIS Language Advocacy Microgrants?
Since 2024, MCIS has awarded six Language Advocacy Microgrants to support projects that advance linguistic equity and justice in Canada. Eligible initiatives may include arts-based advocacy for minority language education, digital language accessibility projects, campaigns promoting language rights as human rights, defense of minority language access, research on language access and well-being, studies about language access and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), language revitalization efforts, promotion of multilingual education in mother tongues, to name a few. Review the past winners of the MCIS Language Advocacy Microgrants to see what kinds of projects are eligible.
Follow the embedded link to access detailed information on each project.
The Microgrants are:
- $10,000 for the winning project
- $5,000 each for two runners-up
- Membership in the Language Access Coalition of Canada
- Invitation to serve on the Advisory Board (for selected applicants)
The grants will be judged based on the following five criteria:
1.Language advocacy:
- Effectiveness: How the proposed project addresses advocacy elements such as strategy and campaign clarity (clear articulation of advocacy strategies, well-defined campaign objectives), goals and action planning (SMART goals, detailed action plans with timelines, clear benchmarks for success), coalition building (systematic approach to identifying partners, growth strategy and roles), funding (structured processes for identifying and maintaining relationships, sustainability), and community and media engagement (innovation, strategy, sustainability of public interest and support).
- Equitability: How the proposed language advocacy initiative connects to the idea of “equitable language justice”.
2.Community impact:
- Improved access to essential services: How the proposed initiative demonstrates enhanced access to child welfare, counseling, education, employment, healthcare, housing, legal assistance, civic engagement, law enforcement and/or other social services.
- Well-being of language communities: How specific impacts on well-being and quality of life are created with this initiative inclusive of the number of people expected to benefit from the initiative and the range of anticipated improvements.
3. Innovation: How the proposed initiative will innovate in the field of language advocacy.
4. Scalability: How easily this initiative could scale – what is the potential for community growth, adaptability to other regions and strategies for sharing findings nationwide?
5. Feasibility. How viable the initiative implementation plan is and how appropriate strategic partners are in the execution of the proposal.
The judges, consisting of MCIS Staff and Board members, previous Microgrants winners, language advocacy and policy professionals, will evaluate submissions based on these criteria to identify projects with strongest potential.
Who can receive the MCIS Language Advocacy Microgrants Award?
The award is intended for individuals, groups or entities such as grassroots organizations, coalitions, academia groups, nonprofits, community agencies and other members of civil society. Applicants must have a history of actively working to promote, preserve, or protect language access as a human right. Ineligible individuals and organizations may partner with eligible applicants to participate.
How to apply?
Applications must be submitted by April 14th, 2026, through our online portal here.
All supporting documentation, including project timelines, budgets, and partner commitments should be included. Winners will be announced at the annual MCIS Language Impact in May 2026.
For questions, contact grants@mcis.on.ca
For more information consult the MCIS Language Advocacy Grant Terms of Reference