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CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Scripted development support for emerging Indigenous screen creators
Grant and Funding
Overview
The CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators provides up to $30,000 in funding to support pre-development activities for scripted television projects led by Indigenous creators. The program is designed to facilitate the advancement of strong comedy or drama series concepts—covering activities such as script and story development, pitch preparation, and industry support—towards full production.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : June 6, 2024
- Closing date : July 11, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Activities funded
- Development of scripted television projects by Indigenous creators at the pre-development or early-development stage.
- Conceptualization and creation of strong drama or comedy series proposals for television.
- Professional development and industry training for Indigenous writers and producers working on screen-based content.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 29,800
Script development for a Dene science fiction television series
$ 28,700
Preparation of industry-standard pitch for Mohawk historical drama
$ 28,500
Story development for a Cree detective thriller television pilot
$ 29,000
Creating comedy pitch materials about urban Inuit youth experience
$ 29,500
Developing a scripted drama series based on Mi'kmaq legends
$ 27,000
Professional training workshops for Métis writers developing a mini-series
Eligibility
- The company must be Indigenous-controlled, with a minimum of 51% ownership by First Nations, Inuit, or Métis persons who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- The project must be under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons, with at least two of the three key creative roles (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) held by Indigenous individuals.
- The company must be registered as a corporation with its head office in Canada and primarily engaged in producing or supporting screen-based content (TV, film, web, digital narrative content, XR).
- The company must not be insolvent, bankrupt, or in the process of reorganization under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-controlled companies engaged in screen-based content production
- Companies producing or supporting TV, film, web, digital narrative content, and XR (VR, AR)
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are not Indigenous-controlled (less than 51% ownership by First Nations, Inuit or Métis individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents).
- Businesses whose main activity is not the production or support of screen-based content (such as TV, film, web, digital narrative content, or XR).
- Companies that are insolvent, bankrupt, or undergoing business reorganization under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
Eligible expenses
- Accessibility expenses during the application stages, including application writing and support, video or audio recording, equipment rentals, professional fees, and language interpretation/translation fees.
- Final report submission support related to accessibility needs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies with their head office registered in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Vision and strength of the project idea.
- Viability of the project and readiness, including scope and timeline.
- Impact, particularly the advancement of the applicant’s career within Indigenous storytelling and contribution to the Indigenous Screen Sector.
- Regional and intersectional representation.
- Thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and clarity of the application, including representation of Indigenous languages and sustainable production practices.
How to apply
1
Review eligibility guidelines
- Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy
- Consult the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide
- Review the CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Program Guidelines
2
Confirm eligibility requirements
- Verify that you or your company meet the Indigenous identity, ownership, and control requirements
- Ensure the project is in the appropriate pre-development stage
- Confirm all team members meet the eligibility criteria
3
Gather and complete application materials
- Prepare all required application documents
- Complete eligibility, applicant, and project information forms
- Gather project proposal, bios, CVs, pitch document, and IP proof
4
Complete application in ISO portal
- Access the ISO Apply portal
- Fill in all required fields and upload supporting documents
- Use the application checklist to verify completeness
5
Submit your application
- Submit your application via the ISO Apply portal by the deadline
- Ensure submission is before July 10, 2024, 5:00pm PST
- Late applications are not accepted
6
Await results and respond to requests
- Wait for eligibility review and funding decision
- Respond promptly to any requests for missing information
- Expect a notification of results 1-2 months after the deadline
Additional information
- Funding received through this program is considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency for individual applicants.
- Applicants may request an extension to submit their application if requested at least 10 business days in advance of the program deadline.
- The ISO may provide up to $500 in accessibility funding to support applicants with barriers during the application process.
- All recipients are required to acknowledge ISO support in project credits using a textual reference and bilingual animated logo.
