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Development program

Indigenous screen development support

Offered by
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)
Official source: iso-bea.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 50,000
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Individuals and sole proprietors who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis people
See full eligibility

Overview

The Development program supports Indigenous on-screen creators, Indigenous-owned production companies, collectives, and Indigenous governing bodies in Canada for project development. It funds pre-development and development work such as script development, research, community engagement, and story editing.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$50,000
Maximum share of project costs
100%
Financing goals
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Conduct research and development activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
Sole proprietorship, For-profit business

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

Development program applications paused

The Development program page now says applications are not currently being accepted, replacing the portal link.

See more

The Development program page now shows “Not currently accepting applications” where the ISO Apply Portal link previously appeared. This changes application availability and submission instructions and may indicate an early closure because no closing date was shown in the update.

Official source: iso-bea.ca
September 19, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals and sole proprietors who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis people
  • Indigenous-owned production companies
  • Collectives of First Nations, Inuit or Métis people
  • Indigenous governing bodies such as First Nation Band Offices, Inuit Communities or Métis Settlements

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants with overdue final reports are not eligible for further ISO or CMF funding until the report is submitted and approved
  • Applicants with official complaints made against them to ISO or its funding partners may be deemed ineligible until the complaint is resolved
  • Applicants who are ineligible or not in good standing at other Canadian funding organizations
  • Immediate family members of Board Directors and the Board President or Chair are ineligible for ISO funding programs
  • Applicant companies with a history of withholding payment from cast and crew associated with any production

Eligible expenses

  • Costs associated with the development phase of screen-based content, including research and script/project development for new works
  • Accessibility costs, including necessary equipment
  • Fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants/advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers
  • Translation and language support, fees and costs for directors, writers, story editors, advisors, and contractors engaged for development work, and trainee and mentorship positions
  • Legal fees such as licensing of existing IP, translating existing Intellectual Property (IP) into new screen-based works, fees and costs for pitch decks, storyboards, schematics, production bibles and proof of concept videos, sustainability costs, and contingency costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Costs incurred before the submission of the application
  • Versioning, including narration, of existing content
  • Costs for projects not included in the application
  • Activities that are carried out to satisfy Post-Secondary Course Requirements of an educational institution
  • Activities that are illegal according to the Criminal Code of Canada, talk shows, live sports events, game shows that include a monetary prize, reality television, music videos and advertising, re-takes or pick-ups, and activities and phases of a project that have been previously funded by the ISO

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Activities funded

  • Pre-development and development phase activities
  • Develop scripts
  • Research project ideas and content
  • Develop existing IP into screen-ready projects
  • Undertake protocols and community-based work, including cultural and community engagement work, story editing, mentors, knowledge keepers or other professional development in relation to the project

How to apply

  • Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy
  • Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide
  • Read the Development program guidelines outlined on this page
  • Complete the Development program application checklist
  • Complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal

Documents Needed

  • Development Schedule
  • Budget template and Financial Structure
  • Creative Materials
  • Chain of Title, IP Agreement, Statement of Authorship or Copyright
  • Bios/CVs for company owners, key creatives and trainees, if applicable

Selection criteria

  • Strength of the project idea
  • Viability of the project, including its leads
  • Feasibility, including scope, timeline, and budget
  • Overall potential impact
  • Thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and clarity of the application, along with availability of funds, the ISO mandate and 3-year strategic plan, and priorities for authentic Indigenous storytellers, regional representation, paid employment and career development opportunities, and environmental responsibility

Processing and Agreement

  • The application is first reviewed for eligibility and missing documentation by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager.
  • If more information is needed, applicants have a maximum of 5 business days to submit outstanding documents.
  • Ineligible or incomplete applications can be withdrawn at any time in the process.
  • Final funding decisions are made by the ISO based on peer review recommendations.
  • Successful applicants must sign a legally enforceable contribution agreement, and a final report is required within three months following project completion.

Contacts

funding@iso-bea.ca
(705) 933-4538

Official sources

Development program

Program guide

ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy (2026)ISO Policies and Processes for Eligibility in Relation to Indigenous Identity (2023)

Application form

Development Program 2026-2027 Application Requirements Checklist
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Development program Program

What is the Development program?

The Development program supports Indigenous on-screen creators, Indigenous-owned production companies, collectives, and Indigenous governing bodies in Canada for project development. It funds pre-development and development work such as script development, research, community engagement, and story editing.

How much funding can be received?

Development program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Development program program?

To be eligible for the Development program program, you must: The project must be under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons. The applicant must own, control, or have optioned 100% of the project copyright, except for international treaty co-productions. Emerging filmmakers must have at least one previous credit in the key role they hold in the project and be able to demonstrate their ability to accomplish the project.

What expenses are eligible under Development program?

Costs associated with the development phase of screen-based content, including research and script/project development for new works Accessibility costs, including necessary equipment Fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants/advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers Translation and language support, fees and costs for directors, writers, story editors, advisors, and contractors engaged for development work, and trainee and mentorship positions Legal fees such as licensing of existing IP, translating existing Intellectual Property (IP) into new screen-based works, fees and costs for pitch decks, storyboards, schematics, production bibles and proof of concept videos, sustainability costs, and contingency costs

Who can I contact for more information about the Development program?

You can contact Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) by email at funding@iso-bea.ca or by phone at (705) 933-4538.

Where is the Development program available?

The Development program program is available across Canada.

Is the Development program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Development program is a Grant and Funding