Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026
CMF — Prototyping Program
Early-stage interactive digital media prototyping support
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Latest source updateLast Update: April 1, 2026Latest change: The Prototyping Program has restructured its application timeline from one window to two windows in 2026, and now requires two additional documents: the Framework for International Digital Media Coproduction and Interactive Digital Media Definitions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 1, 2026
Latest change: The Prototyping Program has restructured its application timeline from one window to two windows in 2026, and now requires two additional documents: the Framework for International Digital Media Coproduction and Interactive Digital Media Definitions.
Prototyping Program: Application Windows and Required Documents Updated for 2026-2027
The Prototyping Program has significantly restructured its application timeline. The single August-September 2025 application window has been replaced by two distinct windows in 2026: a first window from April 28 to May 14, 2026, and a second window from October 27 to November 10, 2026. This represents a major change in how applicants must plan their submissions. In addition to the timeline changes, the Application Resources section now explicitly lists two required documents that applicants must submit as part of their application: the Framework for International Digital Media Coproduction and the Interactive Digital Media Definitions. The program guidelines have been updated from the 2025-2026 version to the 2026-2027 version, reflecting the annual policy refresh cycle of the Canada Media Fund.
Funding available
$ 350,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit production companies that are taxable Canadian corporations
See full eligibility
Overview
The Prototyping Program supports Canadian production companies and broadcasters developing early-stage interactive digital media projects, with funding of up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000, or $350,000 for applicants meeting past success thresholds. Eligible costs include research, team labour, technology infrastructure, prototype development, marketing, and sustainability-related activities.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Early-stage projects that have developed a solid concept and design
- Experimenting, testing and validating different concepts and hypotheses
- Arriving at a first functional prototype build before the Production phase
Documents Needed
- Narrative Positioning Attestation; Narrative Positioning Statement
- Community Engagement Plan; Sustainability Plan; Team Description; Curriculum Vitae
- Detailed Project Summary; Project Description for the Publication in the Media; History; Originality, Creativity and Advancement Description; Support Material
- Budget (incl. Cashflow); Financing Commitment Letters or Agreements / Co-Development Agreement; Description of the Applicant’s Financial Stability; Revenue Model Description; Market Study
- Certificate of Incorporation of the Applicant; Financial Statements; Declaration of Canadian status of the organization and corporate information, if applicable
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit production companies that are taxable Canadian corporations
- Canadian broadcasters
Eligible expenses
- Research and preparation of content
- Salaries, benefits, wages, and contracts for the Project team, including project management, business development, coding, design, system infrastructure, and content development
- Technology infrastructure, including hardware and software, plus design or construction costs only as deemed necessary to test immersive / experiential works when digital content remains the primary component of the budget
- Expenses to put content online, including copyright clearance, documentation, design and development of the prototype, and translation costs
- Travel and accommodations, project audit fees, other technical and administrative expenses, marketing and promotion, and reasonable costs related to environmentally-sustainable activities, practices and personnel connected to the Project
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Stage One assesses Originality, Creativity and Advancement, and only Projects scoring 45 or higher out of 60 move forward.
- Team criteria include the experience and achievements of the Applicant and team members, their track record working together, the feasibility of the team, and how well-positioned they are to create the Project (13 points).
- Parity awards points to Eligible Projects that meet the Gender Balance (Ownership) Project definition in Appendix A (2 points).
- Diversity awards points to Eligible Projects that meet the Diverse Community (Ownership) Project definition in Appendix A (2 points).
- Community and Sustainability assess the quality of the Community Engagement Plan (2 points) and Sustainability Plan (2 points), including commitments and final written reporting at the final costs stage.
How to apply
- In Dialogue, fill in all the requested information and upload all the required documents to your application.
- To save and continue later, click on SAVE at the bottom of the page.
- To retrieve a saved application form that has not yet been submitted, click on Tasks then on Complete Application.
- The Statement box must be checked to submit your application.
- Applications must be submitted according to the deadlines published on the CMF website.
Processing and Agreement
- The CMF may request other documentation and information to conduct an assessment and evaluation of the project and complete CMF file reviews.
- Applicants will not receive an acknowledgement letter, and missing information may be requested as needed.
- If the Project goes into production and the CMF does not provide further funding through the Innovation and Experimentation or Commercial Projects Programs, the Applicant may repay the entire repayable advance no later than the first day of the start of production or allow the repayable advance to be converted into a recoupable investment after a formal request and acceptance by the CMF.
- Any Applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable agreement.
Additional information
- Accessibility Support resources are available for persons with disabilities applying for CMF funding.
- Applicants can connect PERSONA-ID to their application, and key personnel may submit PERSONA-ID numbers as part of the application.
- Applicants may opt for interim financing by assigning payments under the financing agreement to a bank as security.
- If interim financing is used in Quebec, a copy of the hypothec must also be forwarded to the business analyst.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMF — Prototyping Program Program
What is the CMF — Prototyping Program?
The Prototyping Program supports Canadian production companies and broadcasters developing early-stage interactive digital media projects, with funding of up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000, or $350,000 for applicants meeting past success thresholds. Eligible costs include research, team labour, technology infrastructure, prototype development, marketing, and sustainability-related activities.
How much funding can be received?
CMF — Prototyping Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $350,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CMF — Prototyping Program program?
To be eligible for the CMF — Prototyping Program program, you must:
The applicant must meet section 3.1 of the IDM Content Programs – Core Guidelines.
All new Applicants to the CMF through an IDM Program must complete a Pre-Application consultation with CMFPA staff.
Applicants may apply with one Eligible Project per spring or fall deadline period and must close previous Prototyping files, including the cost report, before applying again.
What expenses are eligible under CMF — Prototyping Program?
Early-stage projects that have developed a solid concept and design
Experimenting, testing and validating different concepts and hypotheses
Arriving at a first functional prototype build before the Production phase
Who can I contact for more information about the CMF — Prototyping Program?
You can contact Canada Media Fund (CMF) by email at cmf.fmc.coordination@telefilm.ca.
Where is the CMF — Prototyping Program available?
The CMF — Prototyping Program program is available across Canada.
Is the CMF — Prototyping Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CMF — Prototyping Program is a Grant and Funding