Ontario Creates Industry Development Program

💡What Is This Program?

🎁What Benefits Are Offered?

Provides funding to established trade and event organizations to offer initiatives, events, and activities that create long-term impacts on growth and sustainability in Ontario's book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors. Supports activities that expand skills, business capacity, market share, sales, and innovation through Business Development or Capacity Building streams.

📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?

📝Steps to ApplySource

• Submit application by the deadline prior to the start date of the proposed activity.
• Ensure all requested documentation is included in the application.
• Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
• Eligible applications will be assessed by a jury of industry professionals.
• Decisions will be communicated within 16 weeks of the deadline.

🌐Application PortalSource

https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/

📤Submission MethodSource

online

📅Key DatesSource

March 25, 2026Application Deadline

July 22, 2026Application Deadline

🔄Intake TypeSource

fixed-deadline

📄What Documents Are Required?

✅Required DocumentsSource

• Ontario Creates Industry Development Program Guidelines
• Ontario Creates Program Policies

📐Format RequirementsSource

EXCEL template provided; no alternate templates or formats will be accepted.

📥Templates AvailableSource

• Budget Template
• IDP Timeline Action Plan Template
• Applicant Affidavit

✉️Supporting LettersSource

Confirmed funding from other sources should be supported by appropriate documentation (i.e. letter of commitment or contract from the funding source).

💰What Expenses Are Eligible?

🧾Eligible ExpensesSource

• Administrative expenses to a maximum of 15%
• Capital expenses to a maximum of 15%
• Labour costs directly related to the execution of the activity
• All other expenses relevant and necessary for the completion of the project

🚫Ineligible ExpensesSource

• Expenses incurred outside of the approved activity period
• Expenses incurred prior to the application being submitted
• Labour costs not directly related to the activity
• Staff benefit costs
• Real estate costs and leasehold improvements
• Capital costs related to permanent structures
• Cost of alcoholic beverages
• Fees relating to the compilation, review, or audit of applicant financial statements
• Cost of General Liability insurance
• Sales Taxes
• Related party transactions which did not receive pre-approval by Ontario Creates

📏Expense CapsSource

Administrative expenses to a maximum of 15%; Capital expenses to a maximum of 15%

💳Payment ModelSource

reimbursement

⏪Retroactive Expenses EligibleSource

No

🤝Is Matching Funding Required?

🔀Matching RequiredSource

Yes

📊Matching RatioSource

25% minimum

🏦Eligible Matching SourcesSource

• cash
• third party contributions
• other government sources
• partners

📚Stacking RulesSource

Allowed

🛡️Proof of Matching RequiredSource

Documentation such as letter of commitment or contract from the funding source

📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?

🗓️Reporting FrequencySource

annual

📑Reporting RequirementsSource

• final report
• progress claims

🔍Audit Requirements

Audit rules are not explicitly stated.

📢Branding RequirementsSource

Funding recipients must acknowledge Ontario Creates in their communications.

🗄️Record Retention PeriodSource

7 years