Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia - Canada

Closed

Source verified July 9, 2026

Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia

Export support for creative businesses and nonprofits

Offered by

Latest source update

Last Update: May 10, 2026

Latest change: The Creative Industries Fund now presents a new application page with updated eligibility, stream structure, application steps, and contact details.

View change

Creative Industries Fund application and eligibility updated

The Creative Industries Fund content has been reorganized into a new application page and guidelines set, with updated eligibility framing for creative and cultural businesses plus non-profit organizations. The scope now clearly distinguishes Export and Development streams, updates the application steps and required preparation, and refreshes the contact and submission information. The funding terms remain broadly similar at up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000, but the eligible and ineligible cost lists are now more detailed and include several new conditions. The application timeline and closing date are still centered on a December deadline, but the page now states that applications are closed and should be reviewed against the current stream guidance.

Funding available

$ 30,000

Deadline

December 1, 2025

Location

Nova Scotia, Canada

Who can apply

Creative businesses, including registered businesses and sole proprietors.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Creative Industries Fund supports Nova Scotia creative businesses, non-profits, and service organizations with up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 per project, to grow export capacity outside the province. Eligible activities include planning, market research, digital marketing, e-commerce improvements, in-market travel, and touring.

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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 product or service
Develop an online presence

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 30,000 $
Up to 50% of project cost

Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Nova Scotia

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Culture and Arts

Target groups

Business owners / entrepreneurs
Artists / creatives
Nonprofits / charities

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

Provincial
National
International

Next Steps

Determine your project

Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

Business, strategic, and marketing plans for export development
Market intelligence, research, business matchmaking, lead generation, and industry support initiatives
Digital marketing, branding or rebranding for international markets, and e-commerce strategies
In-market travel, travel to trade shows and markets, touring, and screen travel
Industry professional development, marketplace development, and growth initiatives

Documents Needed

Creative Industries Fund Application Form - Creative Businesses
Creative Industries Fund Application Form - Non-profits and Service Organizations (Industry Support Project)
Creative Industries Fund Application Form - Non-profits and Service Organizations (Export Project)
Budget Template: Creative Industries Fund

Official resources

Program guide

Creative Industries Fund

Creative Industries Fund guidelines: creative businesses

Creative Industries Fund guidelines: non-profits and service organizations

Application form

Revenue and Contributions

Section 1 Applicant Information

Section 2 Application Information

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Creative businesses, including registered businesses and sole proprietors.
Non-profit organizations.
Service organizations.

Who is not eligible

Businesses, non-profits, and service organizations working on digital gaming and animation.
Municipalities, First Nation Band Councils, museums, archives, libraries, churches, faith-based organizations, multi-cultural associations, and other organizations whose main operational and programmatic focus is not arts and culture programming.
Universities, colleges, other post-secondary institutions, school boards, public and private secondary schools, First Nations schools administered by a First Nation, and Indigenous administered schools.

Eligible expenses

Business, strategic, and marketing plans
Market intelligence, research, business matchmaking, lead generation, and industry development activities
Digital marketing, branding or rebranding for international markets, and e-commerce improvements or platform development
Equity, diversity and inclusion activities, and consultants or service providers at arm's length
In-market travel, travel to trade shows and markets, touring, screen travel, and photography or videography costs supporting re-brand

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Recurring or ongoing operational activities, employee wages not directly related to the project, and administration costs
Production costs and content creation costs, website maintenance and hosting fees, and monthly subscriptions
Capital purchases, including buildings, property, construction, and software
Projects or project components already funded through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, Arts Nova Scotia, or Invest Nova Scotia’s Export Development Program
GST, HST, PST, and QST; quarantine costs related to travel and touring; and digital animation activities

Selection criteria

Applications with demonstrated potential to fulfill the fund objectives may be supported.
Applications supporting under-represented and/or underserved communities may be prioritized.

How to apply

Review the Creative Industries Fund guidelines for your applicant type.
Determine your stream or funding category.
Contact the Creative Industries Fund to discuss your project idea and confirm your eligibility.
Complete the funding application.
Check the application for required supporting documents and complete the budget template.
Send your completed application, supporting documents, and budget template by email.

Processing and Agreement

Applications are assessed in the order they are received.
It should take 3 to 4 months for the program to review the application and advise whether it is approved.
Review can take longer if more information is needed or if the application has not been completed correctly.
Returning applicants must submit all outstanding final reports for previous projects before receiving any future investment.

Additional information

There is no cost to apply.

Contacts

creativeindustries@novascotia.ca

902-223-9214

Frequently Asked Questions about the Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia Program

What is the Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia?

How much funding can be received?

Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $30,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia program?

To be eligible for the Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia program, you must: Creative business, non-profit organization, or service organization Registered and in good standing with the appropriate registry, or sole proprietor with a GST/HST number for creative businesses Project must support export growth outside Nova Scotia

What expenses are eligible under Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia?

Business, strategic, and marketing plans for export development Market intelligence, research, business matchmaking, lead generation, and industry support initiatives Digital marketing, branding or rebranding for international markets, and e-commerce strategies In-market travel, travel to trade shows and markets, touring, and screen travel Industry professional development, marketplace development, and growth initiatives