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Application Guidelines – Collective Initiatives, including the Changing Narratives Fund Stream

Canada Periodical Fund

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Objectives and expected results for the Canada Periodical Fund

The Canada Periodical Fund provides financial assistance to support Canadian print magazines, print community newspapers (non-daily) and digital periodicals to enable them to overcome market disadvantages. The Fund ensures Canadians have access to diverse Canadian editorial content in these publications.

Objectives and expected results for the Collective Initiatives component

The Collective Initiatives component provides funding to organizations for projects designed to increase the overall sustainability of the Canadian magazine and (non-daily) community newspaper industries.

The objectives are to fund organization-based projects that will:

  • encourage collective efficiencies in the creation, publishing and distribution of Canadian periodicals;
  • explore and test new business models and digital opportunities for the periodical industry;
  • increase the information base available to the periodical industry and policy makers;
  • provide services, training and professional development opportunities to the industry; and
  • raise the profile of the periodical industry among advertisers, readers, creators, and as a career opportunity for Canadians.

For both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, the Collective Initiatives component includes a stream called the Changing Narratives Fund. This stream supports diverse communities to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives so that their voices are accurately and authentically represented in the media sector in Canada. The objective of the Changing Narratives Fund stream is to implement incentives and initiatives that encourage greater participation of diverse communities and organizations in the media sector.

To achieve this objective, the Changing Narratives Fund stream provides support for mentorship, training and professional development opportunities for diverse communities at all career stages so that members from these communities can increase their participation in the media sector.

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its project and project-related expenses.

The Collective Initiatives component is highly competitive. Requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must:

  • be incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of Canada or a province, representing or serving stakeholders in the Canadian magazine or community newspaper publishing industries;
  • be a related association, such as those representing or serving writers; or
  • be a press agency or media group that is serving a wide number of written media throughout Canada.

Your organization must also have its head office located in Canada.

If the project is submitted by an organization that represents a wide range of professional activities, the degree to which the project benefits primarily the periodical industry will be considered.

To be eligible for funding through the Changing Narratives Fund stream, your organization must meet the eligibility criteria for Collective Initiatives. In addition, organizations whose mission, mandate, or majority of regular activities support the interests of one or more of the following communities may receive priority consideration:

  • Indigenous
  • Black
  • Racialized
  • Ethno-religious minority
  • People with disabilities
  • 2SLGBTQI+ communities

If your organization represents a wide range of members (not specifically from diverse communities), the degree to which the project benefits primarily the interests of diverse communities will be considered.

Please note that a business number is required for funding applications to the Department of Canadian Heritage. For more information on how to register for a business number (BN), please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding from the Collective Initiatives component, your project must be:

  • able to demonstrate direct benefit to members of the applicant organization or association;
  • aimed at improving the competitive performance of the Canadian periodical industry; and
  • in support of the objective of the Canada Periodical Fund, and at least one of the objectives of the Collective Initiatives component.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • research aimed at analyzing industry trends, new technologies, new business models;
  • market research and business plans;
  • collective initiatives in response to industry trends (aimed at marketing, promotion, education and awareness);
  • training and professional development for members of the periodical industry; and/or
  • promotion of the Canadian periodical industry in the domestic and foreign markets, particularly through the Web and other digital platforms.

For the Changing Narratives Fund stream, eligible projects include support for mentorship, training and/or professional development initiatives for members of diverse communities at all career stages within the periodical industries.

Eligible expenses

Only project-related expenses, which can be of cash and in-kind value, are eligible; these may include:

  • market research or applied research costs, including expenses for the collection of information, its analysis and dissemination to share results with Canadian periodical industry professionals;
  • venue and equipment rental;
  • acquisition of information technology software and other related expenses (e.g., specialized software licensing, custom programming) during the project period;
  • promotion and marketing costs;
  • consultation and professional services, honoraria and the portion of employees’ salaries and wages related to time directly spent on the project;
  • developing, organizing and providing a training program;
  • registration fees (excludes registration fees of participants for the organization’s own events);
  • paid internships or apprenticeships;
  • project-related travel expenses, which must not exceed the rates permitted as per the Government’s Travel Directive;
  • translation costs;
  • a maximum of 15% of the total eligible project expenses to cover project-related overhead costs (e.g., mailings, courier, telephone long distance); and
  • costs of an audited financial report for the project (for contributions of $250,000 and over, or when required by the Program).

In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed project but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they:

  • are essential to your project’s success;
  • are eligible and would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by you;
  • can be measured at fair market value (i.e. in relation to similar goods and services); and
  • are balanced by an equal revenue in your budget (i.e. total in-kind expenses equal total in-kind revenues).

Note: Any discounts from service providers and/or consultants are not considered eligible as in-kind contribution.

To be considered as direct project costs, the expenses must respect the following criteria:

  • costs are necessary and directly related to the implementation of the project activity; and
  • costs can be traced to the project and reliably measured.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • capital expenditures (e.g., computer or equipment purchase);
  • amortization and depreciation;
  • ongoing operating costs of the organization (e.g., salaries or wages not directly related to the project), routine activities, ongoing overhead expenditures (e.g., rent, insurance, utilities);
  • hospitality and related costs (e.g., meals and beverages served at an event, catering fees);
  • any taxes that are recoverable for reimbursement;
  • all costs related to awards, contests, sweepstakes, draws, incentives and prizes;
  • meals, incidentals, and per diems unrelated to travel;
  • exchanges of services (e.g., advertising swaps);
  • project contingency funds;
  • bursaries for organization members;
  • dividends, bonuses and other extraordinary compensation for organization shareholders or owners; and
  • any costs not directly related to the implementation of a specific activity or objective.

If you incur expenses for your project as of April 1, 2026, before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, we encourage you to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector or other levels of government.

The total financial assistance received from the Collective Initiatives component of the Canada Periodical Fund and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of the total project-related costs.

The maximum annual amount for a project is $500,000, or 100% of total eligible project-related costs, whichever is less.

Recipients may receive funding from the Collective Initiatives component for more than one project in a fiscal year.

Applying for more than 12 months

For the 2026-2027 funding cycle, the duration of your project cannot exceed 12 months; projects must end by March 31, 2027.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding. A complete application package can be submitted online through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal, and the following supporting documents will be required:

  • proof of legal status (for a first-time applicant or incorporated in the year, if applicable);
  • a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors in support of the project and identifying signing authority;
  • your organization’s most recent financial statements of the organization;
  • quotes from consultants (required if you have hired or plan to hire consultants for this project), if applicable; and
  • written agreements from confirmed cash funding sources or partnerships, if applicable.

Application process

Your application, including all supporting documents, must be submitted electronically through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal.

If you are eligible for the Changing Narratives Fund stream funding and wish to apply, we encourage you to contact the Program prior to submitting an application.

The application intake period will take place from April 23, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to May 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (ET).

Should you be unable to access the new online system or apply online for any reason, please contact our support team:

Email
info@pch.gc.ca
Telephone

819-997-0055

1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY
1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ET).

How applications are evaluated

We fund projects that have clear objectives and measurable results. Your application will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria below. It will be compared and prioritized with other applications in relation to the funds available.

Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in a rejection of your new application.

Evaluation criteria

Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • degree to which the project meets the objectives of the Canada Periodical Fund, the Collective Initiatives component, and if applicable, the Changing Narratives Fund stream;
  • impact of the project on the Canadian periodical industry (e.g. lasting benefits, broad reach to a variety of stakeholders);
  • demonstrated capacity of the organization to undertake the project;
  • clarity of project planning; and
  • suitability of the budget to the scale of the project.

Projects funded by the Changing Narratives Fund stream will also be evaluated on the project’s ability to increase the participation of diverse communities in the media sector.

Other factors could be taken into consideration in the evaluation of your application. Special consideration may be given to projects demonstrating strong partnerships or collaborations that enhance impact.

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the Program.

Clients who submit their application will receive an automated acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam or junk mail folder, or contact us as necessary.

Funding decisions

Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

We will determine if funding will be disbursed as a grant or as a contribution.

A grant is a payment issued to a recipient for a project. The conditions you agreed to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your project, you may be required to submit a report and/or participate in the evaluation of results.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. If you receive $250,000 or more as a contribution, you are required to submit an audited financial report.

For projects funded by the Changing Narratives Fund stream, you will be required to provide feedback from professional development participants on the effectiveness of the initiative.

Additional conditions may apply and, if applicable, will be included in your funding agreement.

Anti-racism and anti-hate

Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Official languages requirements

We are committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official-language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application and in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Access to information requests

We are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize us to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

  • to reach a decision;
  • to evaluate the results of the project; and
  • to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

Canada Periodical Fund – Collective Initiatives
Department of Canadian Heritage
200 Montcalm Street
Gatineau, QC  J8Y 3B5

Email
fondsdesperiodiquescanada-canadaperiodicalfund@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
TTY
1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET).

Glossary

Audited financial report
An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period with regard to the project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization.
Audited financial statements
A complete set of financial statements including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Audited financial statements are completed by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization. The certified accountant performs auditing activities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Business plan
A written document that describes your organization’s current status and plans for two to five years. It identifies future opportunities and includes the financial, operational and marketing strategies to achieve your goals.
Cash flow
A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will have only forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.
Community newspaper
A periodical publication, print or digital, produced by and for a local community or a specific geographic group. Its content is designed to inform residents about topics of local interest, including neighborhood news, events, community initiatives, and local services, or to provide information relevant to a common affiliation (e.g., agricultural sector, ethnocultural groups, religious communities). A newspaper is published under a common title at regular intervals.
Digital periodical
A publication delivered through electronic or online platforms, whose editorial content consists primarily of text, photographs, illustrations, and other editorial materials similar to those found in print periodicals, while leveraging digital features such as hyperlinks, multimedia, and interactivity. The digital periodical is published on an electronic platform, is downloadable or sent by email, is distributed on a regular schedule under a common title and is managed by an editor.
Diverse communities

The Changing Narratives Fund stream identifies diverse communities as:

  • Indigenous
  • Black
  • Racialized
  • Ethno-religious minority
  • People with disabilities
  • 2SLGBTQI+
Ethno-religious minority
An ethno-religious minority community (or an ethno-religious minority group) is a grouping of people who are unified by a common religious and ethnic background. This faith-based community have numbers smaller in relation to the population of other faith-based groups and who experience infringements on their Charter rights, and/or prejudice and discrimination (individual and systemic) based on racialized perceptions and misunderstandings of their faith.
Final financial report
A final financial report includes, as separate items, the budget as well as all of the revenues realized and expenditures incurred for the given period with regard to the Project being funded.
Final report
A final report is submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.
Fiscal year (of the Government)
Refers to the federal government fiscal year, which starts on April 1 of a given year and ends on March 31 of the following year.
Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities include First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Interim reports

Interim reports are submitted during your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement.

These reports indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they include a status report on the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports.

Magazine
A periodical publication, print or digital, presenting a diverse range of editorial content. A magazine is paginated and bound, issued in consecutively dated or numbered editions under a common title at regular intervals.
Not-for-profit organization
All organizations incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act or the law of any province or territory.
Official language minority communities
The official language minority communities are the English-speaking communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.
Overhead costs
Long distance telephone charges, rent, fax, photocopying, couriers, general administration and similar expenses.
Racialized communities
Communities of shared heritage who have been historically disadvantaged as a group and may experience discrimination based on colour, culture and/or race.
Volunteer
An individual working on behalf of others without receiving financial or material gain.

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2026-04-23