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Digital Game Development Grant

Funding for commercial digital game development

Offered by
Creative Saskatchewan
Official source: creativesask.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 50,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
November 18, 2026
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Individuals
See full eligibility

Overview

The Digital Game Development Grant provides funding to eligible Saskatchewan applicants to support the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties. It supports pre-production and production work for commercial digital games, including prototypes, pre-production documents, pitch material, and complete market-ready digital games made available for purchase.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$50,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop team skills
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Develop an online presence
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Access new markets
  • Reach a new target audience
  • Launch or market a product/service
  • Ensure financial sustainability

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Saskatchewan
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
Legal structures
All legal structures

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

General Program Guidelines updated

The General Program Guidelines page now shows expanded eligibility and program scope details, while the contact and grant portal information visible before is no longer shown in the current excerpt.

See more

The General Program Guidelines page now displays the general eligibility section, including eligible applicant requirements and the creative industries list, along with clearer target project types for the Digital Game Development Grant and other programs. The contact phone number, email address, and grant portal links that were previously visible are no longer shown in the current page excerpt, so applicants should rely on the updated guidelines page for the latest application and contact information.

Official source: creativesask.ca
August 12, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Corporations

Who is not eligible

  • A political organization or party
  • A religious organization
  • Organizations that discriminate based on culture, gender, sexual orientation, race, language, ethnic origin, economic status, religion, political, or other conscientiously held beliefs
  • Organizations advocating for political or religious beliefs

Eligible expenses

  • Eligible development expenses for digital games and eLearning properties with commercial intent, including expenses incurred up to 12 months before the application date
  • Marketing expenses directly related to the project, up to 10% of the total project budget
  • Technology infrastructure, including hardware and software
  • Labour of Saskatchewan residents, applicant or staff labour directly attributable to the project, and contracted services directly attributable to the project
  • All sales taxes other than GST or HST

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Casino-type games with real or simulated gambling
  • Commissioned projects
  • Core business operations and capital costs like rent or real estate
  • Projects developed exclusively for corporate use
  • Travel to conferences or markets
  • Projects with mostly non-gamified content

Eligible geographic areas

  • Saskatchewan

Activities funded

  • Innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties with commercial intent
  • Apps for smart phones and tablets, console or PC games, and augmented or virtual reality experiences
  • Pre-production activities that take place prior to production and prepare the applicant company to enter full production of a commercial digital game, and the creation of a complete digital game made publicly available for commercial sale
  • A pre-release playable version of the game, including prototypes, demos, MVP, and vertical slice
  • Pre-production documents, pitch material, business and marketing plans

How to apply

  • Read the General Guidelines and the guidelines specific to the program you are applying for.
  • Book a consultation with a Program Advisor if you need support or have a draft ready for review.
  • Navigate to https://creativesask.smartsimple.ca/ and log in to GMS.
  • First-time GMS users must create a profile; individuals may create one at any time, even before the grant opens, and businesses must email gms@creativesask.ca so an account can be created for them.
  • Go to Templates & Additional Materials, select Digital Game Development, open Application Templates, and download the budget for the current fiscal year.

Documents Needed

  • Creative Saskatchewan budget template and project cashflow sheet
  • Project financing structure listing pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget
  • Travel itinerary using the Creative Saskatchewan travel itinerary template, if travel is part of the project budget
  • Budget line support documentation for all line items $500 and over
  • Evidence of completed pre-production for Production Stream applications, such as a playable demo or prototype, or gameplay capture or in-engine videos

Selection criteria

  • Creative, design, and technical elements (/20)
  • Marketing strategy (/10)
  • Alignment and skillset of project personnel (/6) and studio fit (/4)
  • Level of Saskatchewan spend (/2) and financial viability of project (/8)
  • Bonus points are available for budget and financing (/5) and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (/4)

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are first reviewed internally for eligibility and completeness
  • Eligible applications are assessed through an external assessment process against the stream-specific criteria
  • Applications to this program will only be assessed with other applicants from the same stream
  • Results will be delivered via e-mail and will be available in GMS
  • Successful recipients must include the required credit prominently on all copies of the project and all promotional material, as well as the Creative Saskatchewan logo, and will acknowledge receipt of the grant on their professional social media platforms

Additional information

  • The official guidelines supersede all information contained elsewhere on this website, delivered to applicants by Program Advisors, or otherwise made publicly available.
  • Budget templates are updated every year, so use the most up to date template and do not re-use templates from a previous application.

Contacts

office@creativesask.ca
306-798-9800

Official sources

Digital Game Development

Program guide

Digital Game Development Grant - Pre-Production Stream - Assessment CriteriaDigital Game Development Grant - Production Stream - Assessment CriteriaDigital Game Development Grant Guidelines

Application form

Budget & Travel Itinerary Example - Digital Game Development GrantOur Support Grant Management System
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Digital Game Development Grant Program

What is the Digital Game Development Grant?

The Digital Game Development Grant provides funding to eligible Saskatchewan applicants to support the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties. It supports pre-production and production work for commercial digital games, including prototypes, pre-production documents, pitch material, and complete market-ready digital games made available for purchase.

How much funding can be received?

Digital Game Development Grant Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is November 18, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.

Who is eligible for the Digital Game Development Grant program?

To be eligible for the Digital Game Development Grant program, you must: Applicants must be the owner or co-owner of the project, control copyright, and receive a share of revenue from sales Applications must demonstrate a minimum 51% Saskatchewan ownership The project must have commercial intent, and eLearning projects must include gamification with meaningful user interaction

What expenses are eligible under Digital Game Development Grant?

Eligible development expenses for digital games and eLearning properties with commercial intent, including expenses incurred up to 12 months before the application date Marketing expenses directly related to the project, up to 10% of the total project budget Technology infrastructure, including hardware and software Labour of Saskatchewan residents, applicant or staff labour directly attributable to the project, and contracted services directly attributable to the project All sales taxes other than GST or HST

Who can I contact for more information about the Digital Game Development Grant?

You can contact Creative Saskatchewan by email at office@creativesask.ca or by phone at 306-798-9800.

Where is the Digital Game Development Grant available?

The Digital Game Development Grant program is available the province of Saskatchewan.