Closed
Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund
Innovation funding for Canadian community newspapers
Last Update: May 16, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : July 12, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
This program supports innovation for Canadian community newspapers through the Canada Periodical Fund. Funding may cover eligible activities such as business model improvements, digital tools, redesigns, market expansion, and promotional campaigns, with up to $500,000 per project or up to $10,000 for start-up projects.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : July 12, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- From $ 2,500 to $ 500,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Startups
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- New business models, methods, or processes
- New or improved products, services, systems, or tools
- Digitization of back issues
- Rebranding or redesign
- Mobile applications and web development
- Expansion into new markets
- Advertising and promotional campaigns
- Market research or business/marketing plans
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Proof of legal status
- Consultant quotes, if applicable
- Written confirmation of in-kind contributions and other funding sources, if applicable
- Board resolution for not-for-profit applicants
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Publishing firms producing community newspapers
- Print community newspapers
- Digital community newspapers
- Start-up digital-only periodical publishers
Who is not eligible
- Daily newspapers
- Newsletters
- Websites, blogs, and personal-branded digital periodicals
- Publications mainly promoting a business’s goods or services
- Publications with offensive content
Eligible expenses
- Venue and equipment rental
- Specialized software licensing
- Promotion and marketing costs
- Professional fees, training, and paid internships
- Project-related travel, salaries, translation, and limited overhead
- Audited financial report costs, when required
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing operational costs, including regular editorial and production expenses
- Capital purchases such as computers or equipment
- Hospitality, meals, incidentals, and per diems
- Recoverable taxes, contingency funds, prizes, and advertising swaps
- Dividends, bonuses, and extraordinary compensation
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility and assessed against the program criteria.
- Applications are compared and prioritized based on available funding.
- An acknowledgement of receipt is sent by email after submission.
- Funding decisions and eligibility decisions are final.
- If funded as a contribution, a funding agreement is signed before payment.
- Interim and final reports may be required, and audits may apply.
Additional information
- Only one application is allowed per periodical per fiscal year.
- Applications are highly competitive and funding is not guaranteed.
- Decisions on eligibility and funding amounts are final.
- Applicants may need to acknowledge Government of Canada support publicly in English and/or French.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund. 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 Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund?
This program supports innovation for Canadian community newspapers through the Canada Periodical Fund. Funding may cover eligible activities such as business model improvements, digital tools, redesigns, market expansion, and promotional campaigns, with up to $500,000 per project or up to $10,000 for start-up projects.
How much funding can be received?
Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund program?
To be eligible for the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund program, you must:
Majority Canadian-owned and controlled.
Private-sector publisher with BN.
Principal place of business in Canada.
What expenses are eligible under Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund?
New business models, methods, or processes
New or improved products, services, systems, or tools
Digitization of back issues
Rebranding or redesign
Mobile applications and web development
Expansion into new markets
Advertising and promotional campaigns
Market research or business/marketing plans
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at fondsdesperiodiquescanada-canadaperiodicalfund@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-811-0055.
Where is the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund available?
The Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community Newspapers — Business Innovation — Canada Periodical Fund is a Grant and Funding