Ontario Creates Book Fund

Who is eligible?

• Independent, Canadian-owned-and-controlled, Ontario-based book publishers
• Ontario-based businesses owned by self-identifying racially diverse, Francophone, or otherwise diversity-defined groups (for Diversity Enhancement Stream)

Who is not eligible

• Companies that are not independent, Ontario-based book publishers (e.g., companies whose primary activity is not book publishing).
• Businesses that do not derive more than 50% of their sales revenues from book sales.
• Companies primarily publishing vanity titles where revenues from such sales exceed 25% of total revenues.
• Corporations not in good standing with Ontario Creates (e.g., those in default of contractual obligations).
• Applicants whose publications are limited to non-eligible types such as calendars, agendas, comic books, instructional books, dissertations, government reports, and similar excluded formats.

Eligible expenses

• Costs for book or imprint launches.
• Production of marketing tools and materials.
• Advertising and co-op program expenses.
• Creation and distribution of specialized catalogues and mailings.
• Consumer contest expenses.
• Backlist promotion costs.
• Expenditures for attending and exhibiting at international fairs, trade shows, or conferences (excluding activities funded by the Global Market Development Fund - Book program).
• Costs related to author tours, including participation at festivals, readings, and events for direct audience engagement.
• Re-launch and re-branding expenses.
• Redesign or upgrade of website, including adding e-commerce capabilities.
• Production of author podcasts, videos, and webcasts.
• Digital rights management costs.
• Development of interactive games based on book content.
• Search optimization for titles or catalogue.
• Digitization of backlist for institutional and library sales.
• Creation of original digital content or bundled packaging for digital platforms.
• Exploration of alternative sales channels.
• Research and development of a digital transformation strategy or business plan.
• Project-specific capital expenses (hardware/software) for digital components, up to 15% of total project budget.
• Long distance phone, fax, paper, courier, and other direct project-related expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario (companies must be Ontario-based, with their central place of business located in Ontario)

• Applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions or webinars prior to applying for guidance and clarification on program details.
• All project expenses, except for marketing and business travel, must be incurred in Ontario.
• The program may alter guidelines with public notice; all funding decisions are final and confidential.
• Information and supporting documentation submitted in the application remain strictly confidential, subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.