Funding a French-language science activity in BC: where to start

Step 1: identify your school’s French program

Funding programs are built for specific schools. Before anything else, note whether the participating students are in a francophone school (Conseil scolaire francophone), a French Immersion program or a Core French program, and whether the school is public. That single fact rules sources in or out.

• French Immersion or Core French, public school: start with Canadian Parents for French, then your PAC.
• Francophone school (CSF): look at PassepART, Vice-Versa and your APÉ. CPF’s program is not open to CSF schools.

French Immersion and Core French: Canadian Parents for French

The Culture in the Classroom program of Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon can contribute up to $1,000 per visit for an activity delivered entirely in French, plus up to $200 per visit toward travel for schools in remote areas. French Immersion schools can receive two visits over two years; Core French schools, one visit over two years. Private schools are not eligible.

The school makes the request itself. Once your activity is planned with Profaqua, we put you in touch with CPF BC & YK, which confirms eligibility and the maximum amount of its contribution. CPF generally pays the eligible invoice within up to 30 days after the activity. Read the details.

Francophone schools: PassepART and Vice-Versa

PassepART, funded by Canadian Heritage and administered by the FCCF, offers $1,500 per francophone school per year for a French-language activity with an artistic, cultural or heritage dimension. The application comes from an eligible non-profit, such as an APÉ that meets the criteria, not from the school. For 2026-2027, the deadline is February 12, 2027. Workshops with Indigenous perspectives, outdoor workshops and some science shows may fit, depending on the project. How PassepART works.

Vice-Versa, administered by the FJCF, offers $1,500 per school per project for French-language projects carried out with a community non-profit, where students help think up, choose and carry out the project. Projects funded for 2026-2027 must take place between August 25, 2026 and June 30, 2027. How Vice-Versa works.

Parent groups: your PAC or APÉ

Parent Advisory Councils and parents’ associations often support student activities through their fundraising or annual budget, according to their own rules. Present them a short project: which classes, which activity, why it matters, and the full cost.

BC PACs can also apply for Community Gaming Grants of $20 per student, with one application per year between April 1 and June 30. According to the 2026 guidelines, these grants fund extracurricular opportunities, including presentations and performances such as a science show, but not curriculum-based activities. More on PACs · More on APÉs.

Step 2: check the calendar

Each program has its own rhythm, and a missed date can push your project back a full year. Here are the 2026-2027 dates and cycles to keep in mind:

• PassepART: applications opened on June 15, 2026; activities can take place from September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; the application deadline is February 12, 2027.
• Vice-Versa: funded projects must take place between August 25, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
• PAC Community Gaming Grants: applications from April 1 to June 30 each year, with results by September 30. A PAC that applies in the spring can fund an event in the fall or winter.
• Canadian Parents for French: French Immersion schools can receive two visits over two years, Core French schools one visit over two years. Decide which year you will use them.

A good habit: note every date in the school calendar in September, along with the name of the person in charge of each request.

Mistakes to avoid

Most funding problems come from a few avoidable slips.

• Booking before checking who applies. CPF expects the school; PassepART and Vice-Versa expect an eligible non-profit; a Gaming Grant belongs to the PAC.
• Counting on money that is not confirmed. Until the program has said yes, the contribution is “requested”, not “confirmed”.
• Using a Gaming Grant for a classroom workshop. PAC Gaming Grants fund extracurricular opportunities, such as a science show for all students or an after-school club, not curriculum-based activities.
• Forgetting travel and taxes. A quote includes travel, GST and PST. Put the full amount in your plan.
• Waiting too long. Dates for shows and regional tours fill up. Ask for the quote first, then apply.

Step 3: build a simple funding plan

Put the quote on one side and the contributions on the other, with three labels: confirmed, requested and to explore. Only confirmed contributions reduce what the school pays. Funding sources can often be combined; CPF funding, for example, can be paired with a PAC contribution, and Profaqua can issue separate invoices to each payer.

Then work backwards from your preferred date, leaving time for the program’s decision. If timing is tight, a later date or a different format may be the better plan.

Step 4: let us help with the paperwork

We cannot apply on your behalf, but we can give you what the application needs: a clear description of the activity, the cost, the dates and how students take part. Tell us about your school and we will suggest the most promising route.