Open
Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning
Business planning support for publishers
Last Update: June 17, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Provides up to $50,000 to support business planning for publishers. The program helps develop business, succession, or strategic plans related to major business changes.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 1,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of a business plan
- Development of a succession plan
- Development of a strategic plan for major business changes
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Project plan
- Intern resume, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individual publishing firms funded by CBF Publishing Support in 2025-2026
- Individual publishing firms funded by the Canada Council’s Literary Publishers program in the most recent cycle
Eligible expenses
- Fees to an independent third party for research, analysis, and business plan preparation
- Executive training related to business plan development
- Administration fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Salaries of owners, executives, and employees
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Expenses incurred before April 1, 2026
Selection criteria
- Alignment with Canada Book Fund objectives
- Well-planned project with clear objectives and measurable results
- Applicant capacity to carry out the project
- Priority may be given to innovative technology approaches, equity-focused projects, and underrepresented publishers
How to apply
1
Reading the guidelines
Carefully read all of the guidelines for submitting applications.
2
Eligibility check
Ensure that your organization meets all eligibility requirements.
3
Preparation of the request
- Prepare a detailed project plan.
- Gather the intern's resume, if applicable.
- Ensure that all required information is ready for the application form.
4
Access to the online submission system
- Access the Canadian Heritage Online System to submit your application.
- Create an account if this has not yet been done.
- Upload all required supporting documents with the application form.
5
Sending the request
Submit the complete application by 5 PM (Eastern Time) on January 31.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for compliance with program requirements and government policies.
- Applications are compared with other applications and prioritized based on available funding.
- Applicants are notified of receipt within two weeks.
- Funding decisions are final.
- A funding agreement may be required if funding is approved.
Additional information
- Only one application is allowed per fiscal year.
- Affiliated groups may submit only one application total.
- Project duration cannot exceed 12 months.
- Applicants should keep records for five years.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning — Aboriginal or Official Language Minority FirmsSupport for publishing business development
- Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Publishing InternshipsFunding for publisher internships and planning
- Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Technology InternshipsSupports technology internships in book publishing
- Canada Book Fund Publishing SupportFinancial support for publishing and sales of books
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning Program
What is the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning?
Provides up to $50,000 to support business planning for publishers. The program helps develop business, succession, or strategic plans related to major business changes.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning program?
To be eligible for the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning program, you must:
Individual publishing firm
Recent eligible funding history
Business planning project
What expenses are eligible under Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning?
Development of a business plan
Development of a succession plan
Development of a strategic plan for major business changes
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning?
You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at flc-sae-cbf-sfp@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-0055.
Where is the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning available?
The Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning program is available across Canada.
Is the Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning is a Grant and Funding