OSAID Safe Roads Grant

Empowering Student-Led Impact

SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

A collaboration between Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) and the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) designed to empower student-led impact to reduce impaired driving.

PROPOSED PROJECT

OSAID Safe Roads School Grant is a student-driven grant opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OSAID, with the support of the Ontario Cannabis Store, is excited to kick off a new road safety grant program, offering $500 to 20 high schools across Ontario! This initiative aims to support student-led projects that raise awareness about driving safely, especially highlighting the risks of driving under the influence of cannabis. In total, $10,000 will be distributed to high schools across the province. We're thrilled to see student leaders taking charge through creative campaigns, events, and initiatives that reflect OSAID’s mission to make roads safer for everyone.

This grant aims to amplify student voices and leadership while supporting OSAID’s mission to prevent impaired driving and encourage healthy, informed choices among students. Funding will enable schools to act on what matters most to them — whether through campaigns, events, or awareness projects that reflect OSAID’s values.

By putting dollars directly into the hands of students, OSAID is doubling down on its core belief: students are not just the future — they are the now.

Deadline to apply: November 20th, 2025

This initiative, with support from the Ontario Cannabis Store, goes beyond just providing funding — it’s a heartfelt investment in empowering student voices, leadership, and inspiring change. Supporting these 20 high schools, OSAID proudly upholds its tradition of placing youth at the core of the fight against impaired driving and unsafe decisions. We’re excited to make this happen — and even more excited to see what students will do with the opportunity.

We’re excited to make this happen — and even more excited to see what students will do with the opportunity.

Applicant Type

A school-based student group with a teacher advisor and permission from the school principal.
In some cases, individuals such as students, educators, or community leaders may also be eligible if partnered with a school.

Focus Area

Projects must directly address road safety, with a focus on impaired driving by cannabis.

Geographic Scope

Projects must take place in Ontario within the designated region in which the applicant is located.

Target Audience

Must engage a clearly defined group (e.g., youth, rural communities, Indigenous communities).

Capacity to Deliver

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, and report on the project within the grant timeline.

Budget Requirements

The project must align with the maximum funding available, show realistic costs, and avoid duplication of funding from other grants for the same activity.

Ethical & Legal Compliance

All proposed activities must be in accordance with the law and all relevant school regulations.
Inclusive, non-discriminatory, and accessible approaches.

Relevance to Road Safety

How does the project directly address road safety issues and reduce risks (e.g., impaired driving by cannabis or impaired driving by alcohol and cannabis.).

Impact & Reach

Potential to create measurable change: number of people reached, number of student volunteers, and school board acknowledgment of your activities.
NOTE: Grant applications will be evenly distributed geographically throughout Ontario.

Innovation & Creativity

New, engaging, or youth-led approaches (e.g., live in-person engaging school events, peer-to-peer initiatives, social media campaigns).

Feasibility & Sustainability

Is the project realistic within the budget/timeline?
Potential for lasting impact beyond the funding period (e.g., New OSAID Club started, or increased student membership to existing OSAID club.).

Community Involvement

Level of collaboration with community partners such as Public Health, Police Services, and local businesses or other schools.
Projects that build community connections are stronger.

Evaluation & Measurable Outcomes

Clear plan for tracking results (surveys, attendance, behaviour change indicators).

Value for Money

Efficient use of funds with strong return on investment in terms of safety outcomes.

Relevance to Road Safety (20%)

5 – Project strongly addresses the issue of impaired driving by Cannabis.
3 – Project moderately addresses the issue of impaired driving by Cannabis and Alcohol.
1 – Weak or unclear connection to road safety.

Impact & Reach (20%)

5 – High potential impact; engages a large audience, number of active student volunteers, and school board acknowledgment of your activities.
3 – Moderate impact number of active participants; reaches a reasonable number of participants with some measurable outcomes.
1 – Limited reach; unclear how it will benefit the target audience.

Innovation & Creativity (15%)

5 – Highly innovative; uses fresh, engaging approaches (e.g., youth-led campaigns, interactive methods).
3 – Some creative elements; partly new but similar to existing initiatives.
1 – Little to no innovation; conventional or repetitive.

Feasibility & Sustainability (15%)

5 – Clear, realistic plan; strong evidence that the project can be completed on time and may continue after funding ends by means of a new or existing OSAID club at the school.
3 – The plan is somewhat realistic; sustainability is uncertain.
1 – Unclear or unrealistic plan; unlikely to be sustainable.

Community Involvement & Partnerships (10%)

5 – Strong collaboration with Public Health, Police Services, and local businesses or other schools.
3 – Some level of partnership; limited collaboration.
1 – Minimal or no evidence of community involvement.

Evaluation & Measurable Outcomes (10%)

5 – Clear evaluation plan with measurable indicators of success.
3 – Some evaluation methods; indicators are vague.
1 – No clear plan to measure outcomes.

Value for Money (10%)

5 – Budget is realistic, cost-effective, and maximizes impact per dollar spent.
3 – Budget is acceptable; some concerns about efficiency.
1 – Poorly justified or unrealistic budget.

Scoring Summary

Each category scored 1–5.
Weight applied as above (e.g., Relevance 20%, Impact 20%).
Total possible score = 100 points.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

OSAID Safe Roads Grant

Empowering Student-Led Impact

SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

PROPOSED PROJECT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Purpose & Vision

Programs Goals

Application & Selection Process

Timeline

Deliverables & Impact

The Benefit