The Call for Projects for Digital Cultural Development in the Canadian Francophonie provides up to $25,000 in funding to support projects that enhance the discoverability of Francophone cultural content online, develop digital skills, and foster collaborations within the Canadian Francophonie. Eligible activities include digitization, dissemination of cultural content, skill development, and the creation or sharing of digital tools and expertise.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum grant per project: $25,000.
For non-profit organizations: up to 75% of eligible expenses covered, with total public funding not to exceed 90% of the project budget (at least 15% of the budget must be provided by the applicant and private partners, minimum 5% in cash).
For cooperatives, educational and research institutions, and state enterprises (excluding CALQ and SODEC): same conditions as non-profits.
For private for-profit companies: up to 65% of eligible expenses covered, with total public funding not to exceed 75% of the project budget (at least 25% of the budget must be provided by the applicant, minimum 10% in cash).
Only project-related expenses incurred after the grant agreement is signed are eligible.

Activities funded

Projects that improve the online visibility and discoverability of Francophone cultural content, such as digitization and broad dissemination initiatives.
Initiatives aimed at developing or enhancing digital skills for artists and cultural organizations through training or knowledge transfer.
Efforts to share resources and digital expertise by establishing or strengthening networks and partnerships with Francophone Canadian collaborators.
Development or experimentation of new methods or tools enhancing digital cultural development, such as 3D digitization or digital content preservation.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 28,000

Retrofitting storefront for accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades

$ 90,000

Solar panel installation at local food processing facility

$ 99,500

Upgrading machinery to improve sustainable textile production

$ 32,000

Launching an e-commerce platform for Indigenous artisans’ crafts

$ 40,000

Developing a zero-waste meal kit subscription and distribution

$ 22,500

Digitizing historical archives for public online access

Eligibility

The applicant must have its head office in Quebec and be legally established for more than 12 months.
The organization must be a non-profit, cooperative, for-profit company, public institution (such as a university or college), research center, or a government corporation under the Minister of Culture and Communications.
The applicant must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The applicant must collaborate with at least one cultural partner from the Canadian Francophonie located outside Quebec.
The proposed project must be completed within 12 months and fully contribute to the objectives and target sectors of the program.

Who is eligible?

Non-profit legal entities (organizations and cooperatives operated for non-profit purposes)
Cultural enterprises (for-profit organizations)
State-owned enterprises under the Minister of Culture and Communications (such as Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec, Musée d’art contemporain, Musée de la civilisation, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Société de la Place des Arts de Montréal, Société du Grand Théâtre de Québec, Télé-Québec)
Post-secondary educational institutions (colleges and universities)
Research centers

Who is not eligible

Municipalities
Sole proprietorships (individual businesses)
Organizations registered on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA)
Applicants that have failed to meet previous financial aid obligations to the Ministry in the last two years after formal notice

Eligible expenses

Accommodation and daily allowances for participants in Canada (up to $200 per day per person, maximum of 7 days).
Reasonable travel expenses within Canada, starting from or towards Quebec for project participants.
Local transportation costs within a province or territory.
Design, development, acquisition or adaptation costs for equipment, technology, or tools.
Subcontracting fees and associated honoraria.
Study costs and consulting fees.
Interpretation and translation services.
Dissemination, promotion, and publication costs.
Training expenses for employees.
Equipment or venue rental costs.
Purchase costs for materials or equipment.
Transport costs for materials and artworks.
Travel insurance (up to $250).
Production fees and copyright fees.
Administrative fees, up to 5% of eligible expenses.
Contingency fees, up to 10% of eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

Applicants must have their head office in Quebec.
At least one project partner must be based in a Canadian province or territory outside Quebec (Francophonie canadienne).

Selection criteria

Relevance of the project in relation to the program's objectives.
Originality and innovative character of the project.
Quality of project teams and relevance of selected partners.
Quality, rigor, and diversity of the financial plan, including financial contributions from the applicant and Canadian Francophonie partners.
Realism of objectives and anticipated results based on the project plan.
Expected outcomes and impact for Quebec and the Canadian Francophonie (e.g., economic, social, cultural, visibility of the French language and culture).
Planned visibility and promotion of the project and its results (such as publications, conferences, exhibitions, etc.).
Potential sustainability of partnerships, the project itself, and its outcomes.
Existence of a metadata production and dissemination strategy tailored to the project.

How to apply

Step 1: Gather Required DocumentationComplete the Application for Financial Assistance form.
Prepare a 250-word project summary for publication.
Gather documents on the organization's mission, experience in cooperation with pan-Canadian or international partners, and digital expertise.
Prepare a detailed project budget.
Develop a project implementation timeline.
Outline the expected results and projected impacts of the project.
Present information on partner(s) involved and clearly describe their roles and added value.
Collect the most recent financial statements approved and signed by the administrators.
Include the latest activity report of the organization.
Attach the data management plan (if applicable).
Secure a resolution adopted by competent authorities pertaining to the request for funding and mandate authorization.
Include CVs of the Quebec project leader and the project team.
Obtain a letter of commitment from each Canadian Francophonie partner, confirming their participation (financial and/or services).
Step 2: Complete Application FormFill out the required information in the Application for Financial Assistance form, ensuring all fields are completed and all sections are addressed.
Step 3: Assemble SubmissionEnsure all required documents are complete, comprehensible, and based on accurate data.
Double-check for completeness; incomplete applications will not be considered.
Step 4: Submit ApplicationSend the completed application form and all accompanying documents in French by email to: culturenumerique@mcc.gouv.qc.ca
Ensure submission is made before the deadline; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Step 5: Respond to Requests for Additional InformationIf contacted during project evaluation, provide any additional information or documents requested by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications within the timelines specified.

Additional information

A convention will be signed between the Government of Quebec and the grant recipient, requiring formal reporting.
The Ministry reserves the right to terminate, modify, or reduce funding for reasons of public interest or if false or misleading information is provided.
Final project results must be submitted within three months after project completion.
Only one application per applicant is permitted; for higher education institutions, this restriction applies per faculty.

Contacts

culturenumerique@mcc.gouv.qc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie?

Projects that improve the online visibility and discoverability of Francophone cultural content, such as digitization and broad dissemination initiatives. Initiatives aimed at developing or enhancing digital skills for artists and cultural organizations through training or knowledge transfer. Efforts to share resources and digital expertise by establishing or strengthening networks and partnerships with Francophone Canadian collaborators. Development or experimentation of new methods or tools enhancing digital cultural development, such as 3D digitization or digital content preservation.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie?

Who is eligible for the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie program?

To be eligible for the Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie program, you must: For-profit companies must be legally constituted for over 12 months and headquartered in Quebec. Must partner with at least one cultural organization from the Canadian Francophonie outside Quebec. Must work in fields related to the Ministry of Culture, CALQ, or SODEC and be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.