Closed
CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program
Funding for Canadian digital creators and podcasters
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000
Timeline
- Open Date : July 1, 2024
- Closing date : March 30, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
The Program offers up to $40,000 in funding to support mid-career Canadian digital creators and podcast creators. It helps grow audience reach, business development, and original content or video podcast activities on eligible social and podcast platforms.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop an online presence
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : July 1, 2024
- Closing date : March 30, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business development for digital creators and podcasters
- Audience growth and monetization planning over a 12-month period
- Original short-form video content for social media platforms
- Original video podcast production for eligible podcast platforms
Documents Needed
- Completed Dialogue application form
- Brief profile of current online presence
- Current platforms and audience engagement data with screenshots
- Content overview and posting schedule document
- Audience engagement and business growth strategy plan
- Proposed budget for intended activities
- Certificate of Incorporation, if applicable
- Declaration of Canadian status and corporate information, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian mid-career digital content creators
- Canadian mid-career podcast creators
- For-profit Canadian companies and corporations
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose primary focus is traditional linear film, streaming, or television content
- Applicants who received funding under the program in 2023-2024
- Applicants who do not meet the required engagement thresholds
Eligible expenses
- Content creation labour, including scripting, filming, editing, and post-production
- Equipment or location rental
- New equipment purchases, up to 20% of total costs
- Business growth and marketing labour, including hires and consultants
- Legal, accounting, software, marketing, and promotion costs
- Incorporation fees, if needed
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Content production costs are not eligible starting in 2026-2027
- Activities mainly for branded, commissioned, or sponsored content are not eligible
- Core business operating costs and capital expenditures, such as rent or real estate purchases, are not eligible
- Alcohol fees are not permitted
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by the CMF Program Administrator team
- Eligible applications are then assessed through a selective process using an external independent jury and CMF analysts
- Applicants receive a decision letter through Dialogue about 8 to 10 weeks after the deadline
- Selected applicants must sign a legal funding agreement before receiving funds
Additional information
- Beneficiaries are required to submit a final report and a cost report at the end of the publishing period.
- Interim success reports must be provided for two years following the submission of the final report.
- 1/3 of program funds are allocated to French-language applicants or content.
- The contribution agreement must be signed by the applicant directly and not by an agency or third party.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program. 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 CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program?
The Program offers up to $40,000 in funding to support mid-career Canadian digital creators and podcast creators. It helps grow audience reach, business development, and original content or video podcast activities on eligible social and podcast platforms.
How much funding can be received?
CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 30, 2024.
Who is eligible for the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program program?
To be eligible for the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program program, you must:
Canadian for-profit company under Canadian control
Head office in Canada
Eligible platform activity and audience reach
What expenses are eligible under CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program?
Business development for digital creators and podcasters
Audience growth and monetization planning over a 12-month period
Original short-form video content for social media platforms
Original video podcast production for eligible podcast platforms
Who can I contact for more information about the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program?
You can contact Canada Media Fund (CMF).
Where is the CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program available?
The CMF — Digital Creators Pilot Program program is available across Canada.