Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: August 17, 2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website located at egap.org (the “Site”), operated by Evidence in Governance and Politics (“EGAP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) on behalf of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto, located at Sidney Smith Hall, Room 594, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3G3. By accessing or using the Site, subscribing to our newsletter, or submitting information through the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (UK): If you are located in the EEA or the UK, Section 16 of these Terms describes additional rights and information that apply to you under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK GDPR.

2. Definitions

• “Content” means all text, data, research briefs, methods guides, registry entries, graphics, logos, and other materials made available on the Site.
• “User,” “you,” or “your” means any individual who accesses or uses the Site.
• “Member” means an individual or institutional researcher affiliated with the EGAP network as listed under the Members section of the Site.

3. Eligibility

The Site is intended for a general professional, academic, and public audience. By using the Site, you represent that you are at least 13 years of age (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction) and, if you are submitting information on behalf of an organization, that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

4. Description of the Site and Services

EGAP is a global research, evaluation, and learning network. The Site provides informational content about EGAP’s network, priority themes, methods guides, policy briefs, learning days, meetings, a community experts roster, and related resources. The Site does not sell goods or services, and no e-commerce or payment functionality is offered through the Site. [Confirm and update if this changes, e.g., paid events or merchandise are introduced.]

5. Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

• Use the Site in any way that violates applicable federal, provincial, or international law or regulation;
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site, its servers, or any connected database or network;
• Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code, or attempt to disrupt or overload the Site;
• Scrape, harvest, or collect information about other users or Members without their consent;
• Misrepresent your affiliation with EGAP or any of its Members; or
• Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, or otherwise exploit Content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent, except as expressly permitted under Section 8.

6. Newsletter and Electronic Communications

If you subscribe to the EGAP e-newsletter, you consent to receive quarterly (or other periodic) electronic messages from us in accordance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Each message will identify EGAP as the sender and include a functioning unsubscribe mechanism. You may withdraw your consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in each message or by contacting us at admin@egap.org.

7. Member Directory and Community Content

Certain information about Members (such as name, institutional affiliation, and research interests) may be displayed publicly on the Site. Members are responsible for ensuring the information they submit for display is accurate and that they have the right to share it. Members may request correction or removal of their listing by contacting us using the details in Section 24. Updates may be requested at any time by contacting admin@egap.org.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

Unless otherwise indicated, the Site and its Content, including text, graphics, logos, the EGAP name and marks, and the overall look and feel of the Site, are owned by or licensed to EGAP and are protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

• Limited licence: You may view, download, and print Content for your own personal, non-commercial, educational, or research use, provided you retain all copyright and other proprietary notices.
• Restrictions: You may not modify, republish, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from any Content without our prior written permission, except where a specific resource (e.g., a methods guide or policy brief) is separately licensed (for example, under a Creative Commons licence), in which case the terms of that licence will govern.
• Third-party and Member content: Research briefs, registry entries, and other materials authored by Members or third parties remain the property of their respective authors or institutions and may be subject to separate copyright notices or licences.

The Learning Days Coursebook, hosted on GitHub, is published under an open-source and/or Creative Commons licence; the specific licence terms posted alongside that resource govern its use.

9. User Submissions and Feedback

If you submit questions, suggestions, feedback, or other materials to us (for example, through the Contact form), you grant EGAP a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual licence to use, reproduce, and act on that feedback without obligation or compensation to you. You represent that any submission does not infringe the rights of any third party.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site contains links to third-party websites and services, including Member institutions, the Learning Days Coursebook (hosted on GitHub), the Governance Loop Podcast, and social media platforms (Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn). These third-party sites are not controlled by EGAP, and we are not responsible for their content, accuracy, or practices, including their own terms of use and privacy policies. Access to third-party sites is at your own risk.

11. Cookies and Privacy

Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and disclose personal information, and by our Cookie Policy, which describes the cookies used on the Site (managed through our CookieYes consent tool) and how you can manage your preferences. By using the Site, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in those policies.

12. Disclaimers

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ACCURACY OF CONTENT. WHILE EGAP AND ITS MEMBERS STRIVE TO PROVIDE RIGOROUS, EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND RESOURCES, WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT ANY CONTENT IS COMPLETE, CURRENT, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR SECURE. NOTHING ON THE SITE CONSTITUTES PROFESSIONAL, LEGAL, POLICY, OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EGAP, ITS AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS, MEMBERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE SITE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS EXCLUDES OR LIMITS LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FOR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILFUL MISCONDUCT.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless EGAP and its affiliated institutions, Members, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your misuse of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. You agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Site will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Toronto, Ontario, subject to any mandatory consumer-protection rules that may apply in your jurisdiction of residence.

16. European Union / International Users (GDPR)

EGAP’s network includes members, researchers, and visitors located outside Canada, including in the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK). This Section applies to the processing of personal data of individuals located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland (“European Users”), to the extent the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the UK GDPR applies to that processing. [Counsel should confirm whether GDPR’s extraterritorial scope under Article 3 is triggered — e.g., because the Site targets/monitors European Users — before relying on this Section.]

• Roles under GDPR: For the purposes of this Section, EGAP (through the Governing Council of the University of Toronto) acts as the “controller” of personal data collected directly from European Users through the Site (e.g., newsletter sign-up, Contact form, membership applications).
• Legal basis for processing: We process European Users’ personal data on one or more of the following legal bases under Article 6 GDPR: (i) your consent (e.g., subscribing to the newsletter or submitting a form); (ii) our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Site, administering the EGAP network, and maintaining Site security, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights; (iii) performance of a contract or steps taken at your request (e.g., processing a membership or grant application); or (iv) compliance with a legal obligation.
• Your GDPR rights: Subject to applicable exceptions, European Users have the right to: (i) request access to their personal data; (ii) request rectification of inaccurate data; (iii) request erasure (“right to be forgotten”); (iv) request restriction of processing; (v) object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing; (vi) request data portability; and (vii) withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
• International transfers: Where personal data of European Users is transferred outside the EEA/UK (for example, to service providers such as Mailchimp or hosting providers located in Canada or the United States), we rely on appropriate safeguards recognized under GDPR, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, or an applicable adequacy decision, as relevant. [Confirm the specific transfer mechanism(s) in place with each processor.]
• Supervisory authority: European Users have the right to lodge a complaint with their local data protection supervisory authority, or with the lead supervisory authority for EGAP’s processing, if they believe their rights under GDPR have been infringed. [Insert lead supervisory authority, if one has been designated.]

To exercise any of the rights described in this Section, European Users may contact us using the details in Section 24 below. This Section supplements, and does not replace, the rights and processes described in our Privacy Policy, which should be read together with this Section.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may revise these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date and will take effect as of that date. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

18. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or restrict your access to all or part of the Site, without notice, if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or engaged in unlawful or harmful conduct. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and indemnification) will survive.

19. Severability and Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and EGAP regarding your use of the Site and supersede any prior agreements.

20. Force Majeure

EGAP will not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, acts of government, labour disputes, internet or utility failures, or other events of force majeure.

21. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of that right or provision.

22. No Agency or Partnership

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and EGAP. Members and users have no authority to bind or represent EGAP, and vice versa, except as separately agreed in writing.

23. Assignment

We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms in connection with a reorganization, merger, or transfer of EGAP’s operations. You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent.

24. Contact Information

Questions about these Terms, including requests relating to Section 16 (European Union / International Users), should be directed to:

• EGAP — Evidence in Governance and Politics
• Sidney Smith Hall, Room 594, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3G3
• Email: admin@egap.org