Are you considering applying for financial assistance to help cover the cost of fertility treatment? We’re here to help you prepare!
Fertility Friends Foundation (FFF) offers grants, typically $5,000, to help individuals and couples across Canada overcome financial barriers to fertility care.
Our application platform opens twice a year, in the spring and fall, giving applicants two opportunities annually to apply for support.
Important: Our eligibility criteria have been expanded to make our grants accessible to more people across Canada. We strongly encourage all applicants, including those who may not have qualified in the past, to carefully review the current criteria before applying.
Whether this is your first application or you’re considering applying again, here’s everything you need to know to prepare a complete application.
Eligibility: Read This First!
Before beginning your application, please make sure you meet our eligibility requirements.
General eligibility criteria
- Applicants and their partner (if applicable) must currently reside in Canada and hold valid status permitting them to live in Canada.
- Applicants must have a medical diagnosis of infertility certified in writing by a medical provider, with the following exceptions:
- Applicants who are members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
- Single applicants.
- Applicants must have seen a fertility specialist within the previous six months.
- Applicants must not have a medical condition that would pose a serious risk to themselves or, for females, a future pregnancy (e.g., active acute infections).
- Applicants must have the means to provide ongoing financial support for a child (at least one partner employed).
- Applicants must be patients of a fertility clinic in Canada, as grants are paid directly to Canadian clinics.
- Treatment must begin within six months of receiving the grant.
- Applicants must be seeking funding for upcoming treatment. FFF does not reimburse expenses that have already occurred.
- Grants are awarded on a one-time basis. Previous recipients are not eligible to apply again.
Clinical criteria
- Applicants must be between 18 and 50 years of age.
- Heterosexual couples must meet the ASRM definition of infertility.
- Same-sex female couples must have completed six IUI cycles unless another infertility diagnosis has been established.
Please review our complete Eligibility Criteria before applying. The information on that page provides the most up-to-date eligibility requirements.
Specialized grants you may qualify for
In addition to our general fertility grants, FFF offers several specialized funds designed to support different family-building journeys:
- PGT-M Access Fund: Provides financial assistance for preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M), helping individuals and couples who require genetic testing as part of their fertility treatment.
- Day 1 Grant: Includes fertility mindset coaching sessions with Day 1 Fertility.
- Not My Tummy Surrogacy Grant: Provides financial support for eligible surrogacy-related expenses, in partnership with Not My Tummy.
- Dr. Shannon Corbett 2SLGBTQ+ Fertility Fund: Supports members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community pursuing fertility treatment.
- The Gorgeous Grants: Created in partnership with Gigi Gorgeous to help individuals and couples overcome financial barriers to fertility care.
We encourage you to explore these opportunities and determine which grant best aligns with your circumstances.
Step 1: Complete Your Application Before the Deadline
FFF accepts grant applications during two application periods each year:
- Spring application cycle: April 1–30.
- Fall application cycle: October 1–30.
Please verify the exact closing time for the current application cycle on our website.
When the application platform is open, you can complete and submit your application through our Apply for a Grant page.
Applications and required supporting submissions must be received before the deadline. We cannot accept late applications or documents submitted after the application period closes.
Please remember that an FFF grant will most likely not cover the full cost of your fertility treatment. Your application should therefore indicate how much you are able to contribute toward the remaining expenses.
Step 2: Certify Your Eligibility
As part of the application, you and your partner (if applicable) will be asked to confirm that you:
- Currently reside in Canada.
- Hold valid status permitting you to live in Canada.
- Hold a valid provincial health card, where applicable.
You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply. Applicants with valid temporary status in Canada may also be eligible, provided they meet all other requirements.
If your application is selected for further review, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation confirming your current residence and status in Canada.
Step 3: Tell Us Your Story in 900 Characters
We want to understand your fertility journey and what receiving a grant would mean to you.
Your application includes a personal statement limited to 900 characters.
Use this space to share your experience, the challenges you’ve faced and how financial assistance could help you move forward.
Be honest, specific and concise. You don’t need to write a perfect story. We simply want to understand your circumstances in your own words.
Step 4: Review the Consent Documents
Before submitting your application, please carefully review the following documents:
- Privacy Policy and Consent Form – Collection of Personal Information
- Applicant Consent and Acknowledgement
Both documents are available as PDFs on our application page.
They explain how your personal and medical information will be collected, used and shared throughout the application and review process.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
A $50 application fee is required to submit your application.
The payment form will appear after you submit your application. You can also access it directly through our Application Fee Payment Form.
Please note that application fees are non-refundable and not tax-deductible.
Step 6: Ask Your Fertility Doctor to Complete the Medical Evaluation
This is an essential part of the application process.
Your fertility doctor must complete a medical evaluation confirming your diagnosis, medical circumstances and proposed treatment plan.
You will find the medical evaluation link inside the application form. It is also available directly here:
You are responsible for sharing this link with your doctor and ensuring the evaluation is completed before the application deadline.
Once your doctor submits the completed form, it is automatically sent to FFF.
Important: If your clinic is hesitant to complete the evaluation because of concerns about sharing medical information, you can sign our Authorization for Release of Medical Information via Fertility Friends Foundation (FFF) Medical Evaluation, available on the application page.
This authorization is not mandatory and should only be used if your clinic requests it.
We strongly recommend contacting your doctor early in the application period to allow sufficient time for completion.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
Once the application period closes, our team begins reviewing all eligible applications.
A few weeks after the deadline, you will receive an email informing you whether your application has been selected for further review.
If you are not selected, you are welcome to apply again during a future application cycle, provided you continue to meet our eligibility criteria.
Please do not send additional documents unless we specifically request them.
If Your Application Is Selected for Further Review
If your application progresses to the next stage, we will contact you with instructions for submitting additional documentation.
Please be prepared to provide the following:
- Proof of current residence in Canada
A recent utility bill is preferred. Other documents showing your current Canadian residential address, such as a valid lease or rental agreement, may also be accepted.
- Proof of valid status in Canada
You will need to provide documentation confirming your current status in Canada. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
- Canadian passport or citizenship certificate.
- Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
- Valid work permit.
- Valid study permit.
- Valid visitor record.
- Valid Temporary Resident Permit.
- Other valid IRCC documentation confirming your current status in Canada.
- Copy of your provincial health card, if applicable.
- T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid).
- Credit score. You can check your Equifax credit score for free.
- A signed statement confirming that you have no prior or pending convictions.
We may also request additional information or clarification depending on your circumstances.
If Your Grant Is Approved
If you are selected to receive a grant, FFF will contact you directly with the next steps.
Please keep the following in mind:
- Grants are paid directly to your Canadian fertility clinic. Funds are not transferred to applicants.
- Grants can only be applied toward eligible upcoming treatment expenses. Past expenses cannot be reimbursed.
- Treatment must begin within six months of receiving your grant.
- Additional supporting documents, such as a criminal background check or private insurance information, may be requested.
Sharing Your Story
We love celebrating the people and families supported by FFF!
If you receive a grant, we will invite you to share a photo, a short written testimonial and, if you feel comfortable, a brief video about what receiving the grant means to you.
These stories help us demonstrate the impact of our work and encourage others to support fertility access across Canada.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before submitting, double-check that you haven’t overlooked any of the following:
- Missing the application deadline. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
- Leaving required fields incomplete. Carefully review your answers before submitting.
- Forgetting the medical evaluation. Your doctor must submit this separately.
- Providing inaccurate or outdated information. Your contact details, clinic information and supporting documentation should be current.
- Requesting reimbursement for previous treatment expenses. FFF grants can only be applied toward eligible upcoming treatment.
- Submitting documents before they are requested. Additional financial and eligibility documents are only required if your application advances to further review.
Final Tips for a Successful Application
A little preparation can make the process much smoother.
- Start early. Give yourself and your fertility doctor plenty of time to complete the required forms.
- Review the eligibility criteria carefully. Requirements may change between application cycles, so always consult the most recent information on our website.
- Make sure your information is accurate. Check your contact details, clinic information and treatment plan before submitting.
- Keep your documents organized. If your application advances, you may need to provide additional documentation within a specified timeframe.
- Watch your email. All application updates will be communicated by email, so remember to check your spam or junk folder.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We know that pursuing fertility treatment can be emotionally and financially challenging. At Fertility Friends Foundation, we believe that the cost of treatment should not stand in the way of someone’s dream of building a family.
If you meet our eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply during our next application period.
Visit our Grant Application Page →
Have questions before applying? Reach out to us at info@fertilityfriendsfoundation.com. We’re always happy to help.
We look forward to learning more about your journey and wish you the very best with your application!