Digital Periodical – Aid to publishers
The Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund is designed to provide eligible Canadian publishers of print magazines, print community newspapers and digital periodicals with the financial support they need to produce and distribute high-quality, Canadian editorial content for Canadian readers.
For digital periodicals, funding is granted based on eligible editorial expenditures incurred over a 12-month period.
Who can apply
Eligible publishing firms
To be eligible for funding, publishing firms must meet all of the following requirements:
- be a private-sector entity, which includes corporations, not-for-profit organizations, partnerships and sole proprietorships
- be majority owned and controlled by Canadians
- have its principal place of business in Canada
- have published 1 or more eligible periodicals at the application deadline
Eligible periodicals
To be eligible for funding, periodicals must meet all of the following requirements:
- be published by an eligible publishing firm
- be majority owned and controlled by Canadians
- be either a digital-only magazine or digital-only community newspaper
- have completed at least 1 uninterrupted 12-month publishing cycle at the application deadline, and continue to be published until at least March 31, 2022
- maintain a regular publishing schedule in which the majority of editorial content changes at least twice during a 12-month period
- contain an average of at least 80% Canadian editorial content in the issues published during the publisher's financial yearFootnote 1
- contain an average of at most 70% advertising in the issues published during the financial year
- contain a majority of original content
- have a clear distinction between editorial content, advertising, advertorial content and sponsored content clearly identified
- be edited, designed and published in Canada
- maintain an editorial function where the editor is named
- regularly present written editorial content from more than 1 person
- present a clearly displayed masthead or contact page that includes, at minimum, the names of the publisher and editor in addition to the postal address for the publication
- be available in machine-readable format (for example through a valid URL, an app for download, email format, or a third party publishing platform) and provide access to the program
- generate revenues (subscription revenues, advertising sales, etc.)
- have a verifiable method of distribution specific to the publication
In addition, applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria, which are detailed in the Application Guidelines 2021-2022 — Digital Periodical — Aid to Publishers.
Application deadline
December 8, 2020
When an application deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.
How to apply
Applicants are required to:
- read the Application Guidelines 2021-2022 — Digital Periodical — Aid to Publishers
- complete the Application form 2021-2022 — Digital Periodical — Aid to Publishers
- print and submit a hard copy of the application form to the Department, along with the following supporting documents:
- Articles of incorporation (for first-time applicant or incorporated in the year, if applicable)
- Internet Analytics report
- Unlimited access to the digital periodical
Additional information and documents, such as audit circulation reports, financial statements or additional issues may be required to determine the eligibility of a digital periodical.
Contact us
- Address
- Aid to Publishers — Canada Periodical Fund
Department of Canadian Heritage
25 Eddy St, 25-8-U
Gatineau QC K1A 0M5 - PCH.fondsdesperiodiquescanada-canadaperiodicalfund.PCH@canada.ca
- Telephone
- 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
- TTY
- 1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)
Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm (ET).
Guides and help
- Application Guidelines 2021-2022 — Digital Periodical — Aid to Publishers
- Forms 2021-2022 — Digital Periodical — Aid to Publishers
- Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support — Canadian Heritage
- Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs
Related services and information
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