Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Museums Assistance Program (MAP)

The Museums Assistance Program (MAP) is a federal funding program administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage. It is designed to help museums, heritage institutions and related service organizations preserve, manage and present heritage collections for the benefit of audiences across Canada. MAP contributes to the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage, supports professional practices in museums, and facilitates public access to collections through physical and digital initiatives.

MAP is structured into several components, each with its own objectives and eligibility criteria. The Indigenous Heritage component funds projects that conserve, manage and present Indigenous cultural heritage, with a priority for projects led by Indigenous organizations and communities. The Access to Heritage component supports Canadian museums and heritage organizations in organizing travelling exhibitions that reach new audiences in different regions of the country.

The Exhibition Circulation Fund helps museums cover the costs of hosting travelling exhibitions from other Canadian non-profit or Indigenous organizations or from federal heritage institutions, and of borrowing artefacts from federal institutions for exhibition purposes. The Collections Management component finances projects that improve knowledge, skills, tools and standards related to key museum functions, particularly in the management and documentation of collections, often through shared resources and services that benefit multiple museums.

MAP also includes the Canada-France Agreement component, which supports bilateral cooperation between museums in Canada and France, staff exchanges and professional development, as well as initiatives that raise the international profile of Canadian collections. The Digital Access to Heritage component, now closed, focused on digitizing collections, developing digital content and building institutional capacity in these areas. In addition, the Canada Strong Pass Initiative provides time-limited financial support to museums and galleries under provincial and territorial authority to offset costs and revenue losses associated with offering free or discounted admission for children and youth.

Across most components, eligible applicants are non-profit Canadian museums, Indigenous governments and organizations, and non-profit museum service organizations or associations. They are typically required to employ at least one paid professional staff member, have policies covering key museum functions and, for some components, maintain current strategic or business plans. Federal departments, Crown corporations and agencies under federal authority are explicitly ineligible.

Many components operate on fixed annual intake periods, with clearly stated opening and closing dates, while others such as the Exhibition Circulation Fund accept applications on a continuous basis subject to available funds. Applicants are expected to review detailed application guidelines, contact a regional program officer to discuss their project, and submit applications through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal. Program pages also reference service standards, public acknowledgement requirements for federal funding, and mechanisms to report fraud or abuse.

MAP primarily serves small and medium-sized museums, Indigenous cultural organizations, and museum associations across Canada, including those in rural and remote communities. By supporting the conservation of collections, circulation of exhibitions, digital access projects and Indigenous-led heritage initiatives, the program strengthens the capacity and sustainability of the heritage sector. Its funding helps institutions improve professional standards, broaden public engagement, and ensure that diverse stories and collections remain accessible to current and future generations.