Closed
CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program
Funding for innovative Canadian interactive media projects
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
The Innovation & Experimentation Program funds innovative Canadian interactive digital media projects, with support of up to 75% of eligible costs or $1.5 million, whichever is less. It covers the creation of a market-ready version of the project, including localization and marketing/commercialization activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Conduct research and development activities
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Research
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of innovative interactive digital media projects
- Creation of a final, market-ready version of an eligible project
- Localization of the project
- Marketing and commercialization activities
Documents Needed
- Narrative Positioning Attestation
- Narrative Positioning Statement
- Community Engagement Plan
- Sustainability Plan
- Budget and cash flow
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian for-profit production companies
- Canadian broadcasters
- Companies in the interactive digital media sector
Eligible expenses
- Content research and preparation
- Project team salaries, wages, benefits, and contracts
- Technology infrastructure, including hardware and software
- Travel, accommodation, audit fees, and other technical or administrative costs
- Localization, marketing and promotion, and sustainability-related costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that have substantially commenced production before submission
- Projects already publicly available, except for demo or prototype testing in previous phases
- Projects refused funding for the same activity two or more times since 2010-2011
- Projects submitted to both the Innovation & Experimentation Program and the Commercial Projects Program in the same spring or fall deadline period
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Eligible projects are assessed through a selective and competitive review process.
- Applications are evaluated against an evaluation grid, with separate criteria for lower-budget projects and main-stream projects.
- Applicants receive a funding decision after the review process.
- Approved applicants must sign a contract before funding is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program Program
What is the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program?
The Innovation & Experimentation Program funds innovative Canadian interactive digital media projects, with support of up to 75% of eligible costs or $1.5 million, whichever is less. It covers the creation of a market-ready version of the project, including localization and marketing/commercialization activities.
How much funding can be received?
CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program program?
To be eligible for the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program program, you must:
Applicant must meet IDM core rules
Project must be innovative
Project needs clear distribution plan
What expenses are eligible under CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program?
Development of innovative interactive digital media projects
Creation of a final, market-ready version of an eligible project
Localization of the project
Marketing and commercialization activities
Who can I contact for more information about the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program?
You can contact Canada Media Fund (CMF).
Where is the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program available?
The CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program program is available across Canada.
Is the CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CMF — Innovation & Experimentation Program is a Grant and Funding