Financial assistance of up to $500,000 or 75% of the total eligible project-related cost, whichever is less, for business innovation projects. For start-up projects, you can get funds up to 50% of total eligible project-related costs to a maximum of $10,0

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund grant include the following key points: - Publishing firms producing print magazines, digital periodicals, or print community newspapers (non-daily) are eligible to apply. - The publishing firm must be a private-sector entity majority owned and controlled by Canadians. - The firm must have its principal place of business in Canada. - Eligible periodicals must be majority owned and controlled by Canadians and meet specific criteria related to editorial content, advertising percentages, and circulation. - Print magazines must be published at a frequency of between two and 56 issues per year, with specific requirements for circulation and pricing. - Digital-only magazines must meet various criteria related to content, circulation, revenue, and editorial functions. - Ineligible publications include daily newspapers, inserts, websites, blogs, loose leaf magazines, newsletters, and others listed in the guidelines. - Eligible projects must be new activities designed to achieve specific goals over a fixed time period. - Applicants must submit a complete application package, including proof of legal status, in-kind contributions, and other required documents. These are some of the key eligibility criteria for the Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund. For full details and specific requirements, applicants should refer to the official guidelines provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Who is eligible

- Private-sector entities (corporations, not-for-profit organizations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) - Majority owned and controlled by Canadians - Principal place of business in Canada

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include, but are not limited to: - Venue and equipment rental - Specialized software licensing during the project period - Promotion and marketing costs - Professional fees (e.g., contractors) - Training - Paid internships - Project-related travel expenses - Translation costs - Project-related salary costs of employees of the organization (limited to less than 25% of total eligible project expenses) - Project-related overhead costs (e.g., mailings, courier, telephone long distance) limited to a maximum of 10% of the total recommended amount - Costs of an audited financial report for the project (for contributions of $250,000 and over, or when required by the Program) These are the eligible expenses for this grant.

Eligible projects & activities

Some examples of eligible projects for the Business Innovation component grant include: - New or improved business models, methods, or processes - New or improved products or services - New or improved systems or tools - Digitization of back issues - Rebranding or redesign - Special issue outside of the regular publishing schedule - Adoption or use of new media - Mobile applications - Web design and development - Expansion into new markets - Advertising and promotional campaigns

Evaluation & selection criteria

- How the project meets the objectives of the Canada Periodical Fund and the Business Innovation component - Applicant financial need for the project - Suitability of total project costs to the publisher’s scale of operations - Innovation involved in the project - Demonstration of short-term results, measurable improvement, added value from previous projects or activities, and/or a sustainable strategy - Involvement and assistance or financial commitment from other sources - Capacity of the organization to undertake the project - Suitability of the budget to the scale of the project - Clarity and relevance of expected results and performance measures, including indicators to assess the success of the project

How to apply

To apply for the Canada Periodical Fund - Business Innovation grant, follow these steps: 1. Read the Application Guidelines in their entirety. 2. Ensure your publishing firm meets the eligibility criteria. 3. Prepare all required supporting documents, including proof of legal status, quotes from consultants (if applicable), and written confirmation of in-kind contributions. 4. For print magazines, provide a digital marked-up copy of the last regular issue of the fiscal year and relevant circulation reports. 5. For digital-only magazines, provide access to the digital magazine and web analytics. 6. Submit your application electronically through the Business Innovation online application form. 7. Keep records of all project-related expenses and contributions. 8. If applicable, comply with the official languages requirements and acknowledgements of financial assistance. 9. Wait for the funding decision and follow the funding conditions if approved.

Additional information

- Eligible projects must demonstrate clear objectives, measurable results, and alignment with the objectives of the Canada Periodical Fund and Business Innovation component. - Applicants must have other funding sources as the total financial assistance from various levels of government and the Business Innovation component cannot exceed 75% of the total project-related costs. - Funding decisions are final, and recipients may be required to submit interim reports during the project and a final report at the end. - Recipients must acknowledge the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. - The information submitted in the application may be disclosed in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. - Recipients may be subject to audits of their accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement. - Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must create a workplace free from harassment, abuse, and discrimination.

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