How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition?

Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition is funded by Government of Ontario, Ontario Creates

What are Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition's eligibility criterias?

New companies and first-time applicants are required to contact Ontario Creates at least three weeks in advance to determine their eligibility before submitting an application. Applicants must ensure that all relevant tabs in the Ontario Creates IDM Fund budget template are filled in to be considered complete. All corporate information must be registered with the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) prior to starting an application.

Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition

Last Update: January 24, 2025

ON, Canada

Money for conceptual digital media projects in Ontario

Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $10,000 to $50,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : June 26, 2024
Closing date : August 26, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Government of Ontario
Ontario Creates

Status

Closed

Overview of the Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition program

Get matching funds between $10,000 and $50,000 for early-stage activities that will help your company prepare to produce a market-ready content project.

Financing terms and conditions

The Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition offers funding support to assist in the early-stage activities necessary to prepare market-ready interactive content projects. The financing modalities are structured to respond to the unique needs of interactive digital media creators, fostering the development of innovative content.

Successful applicants can receive a non-refundable contribution covering up to 50% of eligible Ontario expenses.
Maximum funding request allowed is $50,000, while the minimum request is set at $10,000.

Eligible projects & activities

The Interactive Digital Media Fund supports early-stage activities and full production projects aimed at creating high-quality interactive digital media content in Ontario. Eligible projects cover both non-linear and linear content designed for diverse digital platforms.

Creation of interactive non-linear media content such as video games and mobile applications.
Development of educational content and XR experiences with substantial interactivity.
Production of linear video content, including web series and digital magazine videos.
Exploration of XR experiences with minimal interactive components.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Creating an interactive mobile app for environmental awareness

$ 50,000

Developing an immersive XR experience for educational purposes

$ 50,000

Developing an e-learning platform for financial literacy

$ 50,000

Producing an interactive video series on urban gardening

$ 50,000

Creating a digital publishing platform for local authors

$ 50,000

Producing an interactive web series about Canadian art

Eligibility criteria of the Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's profile and project alignment with the fund's objectives.

Applicants must be content creators involved in the development of interactive digital media content.
Companies must be registered with Ontario Creates' Online Application Portal (OAP) before submitting an application.
New companies and first-time applicants are required to contact Ontario Creates at least three weeks in advance to determine eligibility.
The proposed project must contribute positively to the Ontario economy.
Companies should ensure that they use the current version of the guidelines and application forms before applying.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund: Production and Concept Definition program are companies involved in the creation of interactive digital media content in Ontario. Specifically, these include:- Companies involved in developing digital-first interactive content intended for non-linear consumption, such as video games, mobile content, and e-learning content.- Companies focusing on digital-first content intended for linear consumption, including web series and video content for online platforms.Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their projects will contribute positively to the Ontario economy by producing original content.

Eligible expenses

The IDM Fund supports early-stage and production activities for interactive digital media projects in Ontario. These activities are aimed at developing both interactive content and video content for public consumption.

Creation of non-linear interactive content, including video games, mobile content, and digital publishing projects.
Development of e-learning content with substantial interactive elements.
Production of XR (Extended Reality) experiences designed with substantial interactive components.
Creation of linear video content, such as web series and online magazine videos.
Development of XR experiences with minimal interactive content for linear consumption.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located within Ontario, as it aims to support projects that contribute positively to the Ontario economy. It encourages local content creators to enhance the digital media landscape within the province.

Companies located in Ontario.

Eligibility criteria of the Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition program

The evaluation and selection criteria for the IDM Fund: Production and Concept Definition grant include:

Artistic Merit and Innovation
Market Potential and Audience Engagement
Overall Quality of the Project
Demonstrated Plan for Discoverability and Commercialization
Experience and Track Record of the Applicant

How to apply to the Interactive Digital Media Fund — Concept Definition program

Create an Account on the OAP

Go to the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) at .
Click on “Register” to set up a user account if your company is not already registered.

Log into the OAP using your user account details.
Ensure your company’s corporate information is registered with the OAP.

Prepare Application Documents

Review the Ontario Creates IDM Fund Guidelines for eligibility and requirements.
Use the appropriate budget template based on your project type: Concept Definition or Production.
Prepare all required documentation and ensure all relevant tabs in the budget template are completed.

Attend an Information Session (Optional)

Register for the Information Session that pertains to your project type if you wish to attend.
Sessions are available for Interactive Content (Non-Linear), Video Content (Linear), and Budget Workshop.

Start the Application

Log into your OAP dashboard.
Select the IDM Fund program deadline and click on “Start new application.”

Complete and Submit Application

Follow the onscreen instructions in the OAP to complete the application form.
Upload all necessary documentation as directed.
Review the application for completeness and accuracy.
Submit the application before the deadline of August 26, 2024, by 5:00 PM EST.

Technical Assistance (If Necessary)

If you encounter technical issues, email for support.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

All documentation must be submitted on the relevant Ontario Creates IDM Fund budget template. Completing all relevant tabs in the budget is essential for a complete application.
New companies and first-time applicants must contact Ontario Creates at least three weeks in advance of the deadline to determine their eligibility.
Ontario Creates staff is available for phone or online meetings until a specified date prior to the deadline, after which inquiries may be addressed via email but without a guaranteed response.
Applicants should start the application process well before the deadline to deal with potential technical issues with the Online Application Portal.