If you have questions about the Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program, please contact us, the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) at <a href="mailto:bcinjury@bcchr.ca" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent;">bcinjury@bcchr.ca</a>. ﻿For questions related to how to maximize the value of your project idea, we will connect you with a local health authority grant lead.&nbsp;Discussing your proposal idea with your local grant lead can help you determine whether or not your grant application is eligible for this Grant Program, and can help you define and refine key elements of your application.&nbsp;

Who should I contact if I have questions about the Grant Program? 

Projects eligible for funding in Stream #1 include innovative, low-cost road improvements (temporary or permanent) that increase the safety of vulnerable road users. Examples include traffic signal timing changes, raised crosswalks, solar-powered speed feedback signs, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, innovative pavement markings, and curb extensions or bollards. Indigenous communities are eligible for Stream #2 grant funding, which includes the same project types as Stream #1. Eligible projects for Stream #2 also include initiatives such as road safety planning, community consultations, or stakeholder engagement, as well as initiatives aimed to address specific issues such as driver training, impaired driving, or a bike-share program to increase active transportation.&nbsp;

How do I know if my project is eligible for funding?

Projects involving MoTI roads are NOT ELIGIBLE for this grant year intake. If you have a road safety concern involving these roads, please contact your <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-reports-and-reference/regional-district-contacts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">regional MoTI office</a>. To find out whether a road is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), please go to the <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/web-based-mapping/imapbc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iMapBC website</a> and follow the instructions below: <ol><li>Click on ‘Launch iMapBC’ on the right-hand side</li><li>On the left-hand side Home panel, click on ‘add layers now’</li><li>Navigate to Transportation &gt; Ministry of Transportation – Road Network &gt; select ‘Road Features Inventory (RFI) Highways – MoT. The map layer showing MoTI roads has now been selected.</li><li>To view this layer, click 'layers' in lower left corner &gt; the selected layer arrow on the left panel &gt; select ‘zoom to visible scale’.</li><li>Roads/Highways with brown lines are under MoTI jurisdiction. Roads that do not have the brown lines are under municipal jurisdiction.</li></ol> Please contact <a href="mailto:bcinjury@bcchr.ca" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bcinjury@bcchr.ca</a> if you are having trouble navigating iMapBC or for general questions. For more information about iMapBC, refer to their <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/data/geographic/web-based-mapping/imapbc/imapbc_training_manual.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">online training manual</a>.

What if I have a road safety idea for the highway or road in Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure jurisdiction?

We are looking for well-thought-out, concise applications that outline how the specific project activities will reduce road-related injuries in your community. Where possible, we encourage you to use local data to support your project proposal and highlight how you will measure success. A strong application will outline partnerships and stakeholders, align with Vision Zero and Safe System principles, and provide a clear breakdown and justification for the proposed budget.

How can we write an impactful grant application that satisfies the requirements of the Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program?

Yes, applicants may submit more than one application for different projects. Additional application forms can be requested on the main page after logging into the applicant portal (an account must be registered first).

Can one organization apply for multiple projects?

Vision Zero funding can only be used towards expenses incurred after the grant disbursal date. Retroactive payments are not allowed.

Can the funds be used toward costs incurred before the project start date?

Everyone is welcome to apply, including those who were funded in previous rounds. Returning applicants may submit a proposal that builds on their initial project, or propose a new project. All projects will be judged using the same criteria. We simply ask that you indicate on the application form whether or not you have received Vision eroZ Grant Program funding in previous years.

Can I apply to the current Vision Zero Grant Program if I received funding last year?

No, the maximum grant award is $20,000. We encourage all applicants to consider seeking partnerships with external organizations that can provide additional financial contributions (e.g., ICBC Community Grant Programs, local governments, Indigenous governments).

Our project budget is more than $20,000. Can we apply for more than that?

All projects must meet the minimum requirements in Part B of the Vision Zero Application Form. If they do, your application will be reviewed by our panel of adjudicators according to this <a href="https://vision-zero.azureedge.net/strapi/assets/Adjudication_Criteria_Vision_Zero_in_Road_Safety_Grant_Program_2022_FINAL_18212630e0.pdf?updated_at=2022-12-19T19:38:50.262Z" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adjudication Criteria</a>. Projects excelling in the measured domains will be prioritized for funding.

How will my application be reviewed and graded?

2021 was the first year of the Grant Program. The overall success rate for applicants was 73%. 37 total projects were funded across the five health authorities across the province. For Stream #2 projects, the success rate was 100%. Everyone who applied to this stream were funded in this Grant Program's inaugural year.

What is the success rate of applications for this Program?

All grant applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application via email, in early 2023.

When will I be notified about the outcome of my grant application?

If you are having technical difficulties with the online application portal, please contact the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at <a href="mailto:bcinjury@bcchr.ca" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">bcinjury@bcchr.ca</a>, and provide a short description of your issue. Screenshots are always helpful.

We are having some technical difficulties in filling out the application form and/or have some other questions. Can you help?

<blockquote>Got a question about our Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program and don’t see it below? Email us at <a href="mailto:bcinjury@bcchr.ca" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bcinjury@bcchr.ca</a>.</blockquote>

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question about our Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program and don’t see it below? Email us at bcinjury@bcchr.ca.