Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning — Aboriginal or Official Language Minority Firms

💡What Is This Program?

🎁What Benefits Are Offered?

Financial assistance to Canadian publishing firms for internship projects (publishing and technology) and business planning projects. The goal is to enhance capacity, competitiveness, and ensure sustainable production/marketing of Canadian-authored books. Funding can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses (up to 75% for priority groups, specific interns, or non-profits), with maximums varying by project type (e.g., $25,000 for publishing internships, $30,000 for technology internships, $50,000 for business planning).

📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?

📝Steps to ApplySource

• Read the Application Guidelines in their entirety.
• Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
• Prepare a complete application package including the application form, project plan, and intern's resume (if applicable).
• Submit your application electronically through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal by the deadline.

🌐Application PortalSource

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/book-fund/business-development/application-guidelines.html

📤Submission MethodSource

online

📅Key DatesSource

February 2, 2026Application Deadline

🔄Intake TypeSource

fixed-deadline

📄What Documents Are Required?

✅Required DocumentsSource

• application form
• project plan
• resumé of the intern (if applicable)

📐Format RequirementsSource

PDF only, max 10MB

💰What Expenses Are Eligible?

🧾Eligible ExpensesSource

• salary of an intern, including benefits
• professional development costs related to the training of interns
• business planning fees to an independent third party
• executive training related to the development of a business plan
• administration fees up to 15% of total eligible expenses

🚫Ineligible ExpensesSource

• salaries of owners, executives and employees
• travel and accommodation expenses

📏Expense CapsSource

administration fees up to 15% of total eligible expenses

💳Payment ModelSource

mixed

⏪Retroactive Expenses EligibleSource

No

🤝Is Matching Funding Required?

🔀Matching RequiredSource

Yes

📊Matching RatioSource

25% minimum

🏦Eligible Matching SourcesSource

• cash
• private sector contributions
• other levels of government

📚Stacking RulesSource

Cumulative government assistance is allowed, but total funding cannot exceed specified limits.

🛡️Proof of Matching RequiredSource

Documentation to prove matching funds is required, but specific types are not detailed.

📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?

🗓️Reporting FrequencySource

final only

📑Reporting RequirementsSource

• interim reports
• final report

🔍Audit RequirementsSource

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years.

📢Branding RequirementsSource

You must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from us in all public communications materials.

🗄️Record Retention PeriodSource

5 years