Closed
Source verified July 31, 2026
Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream
Marketing support for Ontario publishers
Funding available
$ 15,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Independent, Canadian-owned and controlled, Ontario-based book and magazine publishers.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund supports independent, Canadian-owned and controlled, Ontario-based book and magazine publishers. The Emerging Publishers Stream offers up to $15,000 to strengthen discoverability and growth through activities such as social media campaigns, retail partnerships, and author tours.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Access new markets
- Reach a new target audience
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- From $ 5,000 to $ 19,999 in revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Social media campaigns, retail partnerships, collection of audience intelligence to optimize ad sales, author tours, and subscription incentives.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Independent, Canadian-owned and controlled, Ontario-based book and magazine publishers.
- New companies that have completed at least 12 months of publishing activities.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenses directly related to the project, including hardware and software, when appropriately amortized.
- Long distance phone and fax, paper costs, couriers, and other expenses directly related to the project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing operational costs.
- Costs incurred before the application was submitted.
- Salaries and wages of staff not directly tied to the project.
- Staff benefit costs.
- Rent or mortgage payments for office space.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Track Record — 20%: company experience with similar projects, capacity, skills, knowledge and expertise of the team, diversity among senior leadership, staff and/or contract employees, and evidence of diversity, equity and inclusion policies or initiatives.
- Feasibility and Risks — 20%: clarity of activities and deliverables, accuracy of budget, suitability of project planning and timelines, and mitigation of other challenges and risks.
- Opportunity — 25%: potential to enhance company stability and growth, content profitability, reach new markets and audiences, relevance of strategies to promote author, title, and brand profiles, and culturally appropriate initiatives to engage with equity-deserving communities.
- Economic Benefit — 35%: link between marketing activities and benefits to the Ontario economy, including return on Ontario Creates’ investment, creation or retention of jobs in the province, and improvements in workflow, productivity, or cost savings.
How to apply
- Submit all applications through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP); applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted.
- Before beginning an application, register your company’s corporate information with the OAP.
- If you do not have a user account on the OAP, go to apply.ontariocreates.ca and click Register.
- If your company is registered, the deadline will appear in your dashboard; click Start new application and follow the onscreen directions to access the form.
- You may begin at any time, save your information as you enter it, and return to edit or add information until submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Ontario Creates for eligibility and completeness.
- Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be further evaluated, and applicants will be notified via the OAP.
- Eligible applications with all required documents are reviewed and assessed by a jury of industry professionals and/or Ontario Creates.
- Successful applicants must accept and sign a conditional award letter within one month of notification.
- Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement with Ontario Creates before receiving any funding.
Additional information
- This program combines the Book Fund and Magazine Fund into a single integrated program supporting Ontario book and magazine publishers.
- Ontario Creates provides enhanced accessibility support to people with disabilities, people who are Deaf, and people who face barriers in accessing technology to complete an application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream Program
What is the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream?
The Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund supports independent, Canadian-owned and controlled, Ontario-based book and magazine publishers. The Emerging Publishers Stream offers up to $15,000 to strengthen discoverability and growth through activities such as social media campaigns, retail partnerships, and author tours.
How much funding can be received?
Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream program?
To be eligible for the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream program, you must:
Have completed at least 12 months of publishing activities.
Have minimum sales revenue of $5,000.
Have published at least one book in the past two years, or have a minimum print publication circulation of 1,500, or have minimum website engagement of 5,000 Unique Monthly Visitors, or have a minimum membership or subscriber base of 1,500.
What expenses are eligible under Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream?
Social media campaigns, retail partnerships, collection of audience intelligence to optimize ad sales, author tours, and subscription incentives.
Who can I contact for more information about the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream?
You can contact Ontario Creates by email at bspence@ontariocreates.ca or by phone at 416-642-6698.
Where is the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream available?
The Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Publishing Marketing and Discoverability Fund — Emerging Publishers Stream is a Grant and Funding