How much funding can be received?

The Prototyping Program provides funding for early-stage interactive digital media projects in Canada to experiment, test, and validate concepts, offering a maximum contribution of 75% of eligible expenses or up to $250,000. Eligible activities include developing a solid concept and design, leading to a functional prototype, in preparation for a full production phase.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The CMF Prototyping Program provides financial support tailored to early-stage projects, offering significant funding coverage to facilitate the development of functional prototypes. This support is designed to cover a broad range of expenses directly related to the project.

The maximum contribution from CMF is 75% of the eligible expenses or up to $250,000, whichever is less.
Eligible expenses include but are not limited to research, content preparation, salaries and benefits, technology infrastructure, content deployment costs, travel and accommodation, project auditing fees, marketing and promotion, as well as sustainable practices related expenses.

grant_single_labels|projects

The CMF Prototyping Program supports initiatives at the initial stages of product development. This funding is designated for activities focusing on demonstrating, testing, and validating product concepts to reach a functional prototype stage.

Development of a solid concept and design to initiate experimentation.
Testing of different product concepts and hypotheses.
Validation processes leading to the creation of a functional prototype.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed projects.

The applicant must adhere to the criteria outlined in section 3.1 of the "MNI - Module principal."

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Prototyping Program evaluates projects based on various criteria related to the project's team, parity, diversity, community engagement, originality, financial viability, and strategic positioning.

Team: Assessed based on studio track record, experience of team members, and capacity to deliver the project. (17 points)
Parity: Projects should have at least 40% of key roles occupied by individuals identifying as women. (2 points)
Diversity: Projects should have at least 40% of key roles occupied by members from diverse communities. (2 points)
Community and Sustainability Engagement: Commitment to responsible content creation and sustainability practices. (4 points)
Originality, Creativity, and Advancement: Evaluates the project's originality, design quality, user experience, innovative technology use, and commercial potential. (60 points)
Financial Viability: Assesses financial stability, risk, and revenue model. (14 points)
Strategic Positioning and Marketability: Includes market and audience analysis, competitive advantage. (5 points)

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant supports expenses directly tied to the early-stage development and prototyping of a project.

Research and preparation of content.
Salaries and benefits for project teams, including management, business development, coding, design, and system infrastructure.
Technological infrastructure, including hardware and software.
Expenses related to content deployment, such as rights clearance, documentation, design, development, and translation fees.
Travel and accommodation costs related to the project.
Project audit fees.
Other technical and administrative expenses.
Marketing and promotion expenses.
Reasonable costs related to environmental sustainability activities or hiring personnel for such activities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant does not specify any eligible geographical areas for companies applying based on the available information. Applicants are advised to check further details with the grant provider to ensure eligibility.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Team (17 points): Includes the background and accomplishments of the studio and team members in the interactive digital media sector, collaboration history, capacity to deliver the project, and positioning related to the project.
Parity (2 points): Qualification as a Project achieving parity with 40% of eligible interactive digital media remunerated positions held by individuals publicly identifying as women.
Diversity (2 points): Qualification as a Project from a Community reflecting diversity, with 40% of eligible interactive digital media positions held by members of diverse communities.
Community and Sustainability (4 points): Commitment to community engagement and environmentally sustainable practices, with written confirmation at cost finalization.
Originality, Creativity and Advancement (60 points): Originality, quality, relevance of content and design; user experience; either innovation through technology or commercial potential, including cultural value.
Financial Viability (14 points): Appropriateness of the budget, financial stability of the applicant, risk level for the CMF and applicant, and revenue model.
Strategic Positioning and Marketing (5 points): Audience and market analysis, and competitive positioning.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Check Eligibility
Ensure your project and organization meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the CMF guidelines.
Review definitions and policies specific to the Prototyping Program to confirm eligibility.
Step 2: Gather Required Information
Prepare documentation on project purpose, expected outcomes, and a solid concept design.
Prepare a budget that outlines eligible expenses consistent with the guidelines.
Collect team details, emphasizing diversity, parité, and past collaborations in digital media.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Access the CMF application portal on their website.
Fill in all sections of the application form, providing detailed information about the project.
Include a narrative statement outlining the positioning strategy of the project.
Step 4: Attach Supporting Documents
Upload relevant supporting documents such as budgets, team resumes, and market research.
Submit documentation supporting community engagement and sustainability plans.
Step 5: Submit Application
Review your application to ensure all information is accurate and complete.
Submit your application before the respective deadline—either May 16, 2024, or October 15, 2024.
Step 6: Confirmation of Submission
Receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application.
Retain this confirmation for future reference.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants must conform to the main rules and requirements outlined in the "Programmes de contenu en médias numériques interactifs – Module principal des Principes directeurs".
The project will require a complete production phase after the prototyping phase for it to be distributed or sold.
This program may allocate up to 50% of its budget for applications submitted by the first application deadline.
The assessment criteria and weighting include team experience, diversity, community engagement, originality, and financial viability.
If a project is rejected more than twice since 2010-2011 for a specific program activity like prototyping, it can no longer apply for funding for that same activity.

Apply to this program

Exploring the CMF Prototyping Program for Innovative Product Development

The CMF Prototyping Program offers financial support to Canadian projects in the early stages of interactive digital media product development, aiming to validate and refine concepts and hypotheses. This initiative is crucial for fostering innovation and establishing a foundation for future production phases.

Diving Deep into the CMF Prototyping Program and Its Strategic Importance

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) Prototyping Program is designed to propel Canadian interactive digital media initiatives by providing essential funding during the pivotal early stages of product development. As businesses embark on their journey to innovate, this program focuses on experimentation, testing, and the validation of various concepts to refine them into a viable first prototype. This indispensable support ensures that budding ideas are carefully nurtured and have the potential to grow into full-fledged projects capable of considerable impact in both domestic and international markets.

The structured timeline of the Prototyping Program, with its defined opening and closing dates, offers a balanced approach to managing project submissions and allocations. By splitting the funding windows across two entry periods each year, the CMF ensures an equitable distribution of resources, allowing a diverse array of projects to participate while making it possible to fine-tune submissions based on feedback or evolving priorities. This ensures a steady pipeline of innovative prototypes entering the subsequent production phase.

The program strongly emphasizes eligibility criteria that highlight the significance of collaboration and inclusive team compositions. Applicants are encouraged to build teams that reflect Canada's diverse community, promoting parity and diversity among key personnel roles. Such emphasis not only fosters a more inclusive industry environment but also leverages varied perspectives, which are crucial for innovation and creativity in digital media projects.

The financial structure under the program is meticulously crafted, offering up to 75% of eligible project expenses or a maximum of $250,000, aligning with meticulously outlined criteria. This funding is directed towards essential project activities that include creative development, technical and administrative support, content preparation, and the use of groundbreaking technologies. By focusing resources on these critical areas, the program ensures that projects are not merely innovative for the sake of novelty but are built upon a robust framework that holds commercial and cultural potential.

Furthermore, the Prototyping Program aligns itself with the broader goals of sustainable and responsible project development. By encouraging eco-friendly practices and community-engaged creation processes, the CMF is not only backing innovative ideas but also the principles of sustainability and social responsibility. These aspects are incrementally important in an increasingly conscientious market environment, where audiences and stakeholders alike value such ethical considerations in media production.

With a rigorous selection process, the program uses a well-defined evaluation grid that assesses projects on criteria such as team capability, community engagement, originality, financial viability, strategic positioning, and potential cultural contribution. This comprehensive approach ensures that the supported projects not only have potential on paper but are also practically poised for success and lasting impact.

In summary, the CMF Prototyping Program is a critical asset for Canada’s digital media landscape, acting as both a catalyst and a guardian for innovative projects. Through targeted funding, supportive infrastructure, and a commitment to diversity and sustainability, the program opens avenues for inventors and creators to transform their preliminary ideas into tangible innovations, positioning Canada as a leader in the global digital media arena.