The Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund is a provincial government program that covers a portion of costs directly associated with developing concepts and media production. This program allows digital media developers to utilize government funding to accelerate their growth. It helps them bring their products to market faster so they can generate revenue and continue developing innovations.
Ontario Creates IDM Fund has recently announced they are currently accepting funding applications until August 29, 2022.
The IDM Fund Production and Concept Definition programs consist of two streams:
- Interactive Content (Non-Linear): The program provides funding to eligible content creators for activities related to interactive content.
- Video Content (Linear): The program provides funding for activities related to the creation of digital first content that is intended for linear access.
Program Snapshot: Ontario Creates IDM Fund – Production and Concept Definition
Funding Amount
The IDM Fund will provide a non-refundable (grant) contribution of up to 50% of eligible expenses with a different minimum and maximum amount of funding for each program activity:
Concept Definition
- Maximum request = $50,000
- Minimum request = $10,000
Production
- Maximum request = $300,000
- Minimum request = $25,000
Eligible Applicants
Businesses that are eligible for funding through this program must be an established Ontario business that meets one of the following criteria:
- At least 25% of the company’s revenue or 50% of the company’s expenditures over the previous two fiscal years comes from the creation of completed screen-based content projects; or
- At least 50% of the company’s revenue over the previous two fiscal years comes from eligible publishing activities as described in the Ontario Creates Book Fund and Ontario Creates Magazine Fund.
Eligible Activities
Both Ontario Creates IDM Fund streams (Linear and Non-Linear) consist of two programs to support content creation activities:
- Concept Definition will support early-stage activities that take place prior to and assist the applicant company in preparing for full production of an interactive content project. The types of activities that may be supported include but are not limited to prototype creation, preparation of pre-production documents and pitch material, business planning, and research.
- Production will support the creation of market-ready interactive content projects that will be made publicly available to an audience on a digital media platform, network or device that is capable of interactivity. The types of projects that may be supported include but are not limited to video games, mobile content apps, e-learning content, XR experiences with substantial interactive content, digital publishing projects, and other web properties.
All interactive content projects must also meet the criteria below:
- Require the active participation of and input from users which has an impact on the manner in which that content is experienced by those users;
- Include the creation or development of unique, creative, and professional content;
- Be released on an interactive digital media platform, network, or device as the primary distribution channel;
- Be produced for a consumer or magazine media business audience or intended to be used by students attending primary, secondary, or post-secondary institutions as the primary audience;
- Be intended for use by individuals or groups of individuals;
- Is designed to educate, inform, or entertain;
- Consist of a combination of at least two of text, sound (music, sound effects, voice, etc.), and images (pictures, animations, video, etc.); and
- Be intended for commercial exploitation.
Apply for the Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Production and Concept Definition
The Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Production and Concept Definition program is accepting funding applications until August 29, 2022 (by 5:00 PM ET). This program requires a thorough application process, and we highly recommend considering using the professional government grant application writing services at Mentor Works, a Ryan company. Contact our team to find out if you’re eligible for funding with a free consultation meeting.
Subscribe to the Mentor Works weekly newsletter to get notified each Monday afternoon about the latest changes and announcements to Canadian government funding programs. Be the first to apply for these programs with the Weekly Funding Update.