1. Funding
  2. Grants
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions are updated periodically, based on common queries received by our Arts Granting teams.

Where can I find a list of upcoming deadlines? Visit the Deadlines and Notification of Results page.

The online application portal

If you don’t own a computer or have poor internet access, consider visiting your public library or borrowing a friend’s computer in order to access it. The portal is the most effective way of identifying which grant components you’re eligible for, submitting your grant applications, and receiving your result notifications and grant payments.

If these options aren’t available to you, contact an Operations Officer at 1-800-263-5588 or 1-613-566-4414, extension 5060 or e-mail info@canadacouncil.ca to discuss alternatives.

There are 2 main steps to the grant application process.

  1. Create an account in the portal and submit one or more Applicant Profile(s) for validation.
  2. Once your Applicant Profile has been reviewed and validated by Canada Council staff, you can apply to program components open to that particular Applicant Profile.

Please note that this site works best with recent versions of web browsers. Update your browser for optimal navigation.

a. Account: Your account is your identifier, you should only have one. It can contain multiple applicant records and/ or applicant profiles.

Screenshot Create Account

b. Applicant Records: In your account, you must create an Applicant Record by selecting your applicant type (Individual/Assessor, Organization, Group). You can create more than one.

Screenshot Add an Applicant Record

c. Applicant Profiles: In your Applicant Record, you must create at least one Applicant Profile, which consists of your applicant type, your field of practice (art form) and your profile (your role within the field of practice).

You can create more than one Applicant Profile For example, if your organization creates its own work and it also produces an annual festival, you will want to create Applicant Profiles for each of these activities. Your Applicant Profiles will determine what grants you can apply for.

You must first submit your Applicant Profile for validation. Once your Applicant Profile has been validated, you can apply for grants. Note - profile validation can take up to 15 business days.

You will know you have properly submitted your profile for validation when you receive this message by email, as well as in your portal inbox.

Screenshot Profile submitted

If you have forgotten your username and/or password, click on the forgot password or username link on the login page. An email will be sent with instructions on how to reset your username and/or password to the email address you provided when you created your account.

If you do not receive this email, contact: assistance@canadacouncil.ca

In order for a third party to have access to your application, they must have a portal account.

If your third party already has a portal account, add them to your application by selecting the “Third Party Access” button on the top right hand corner of the portal dashboard and entering the email address associated with their portal account.

They will receive an email, and next time they log into their portal account, they will be prompted to accept your third party invitation.

If your third party does not have a portal account, add them to your application by selecting the “Third Party Access” button on the top right hand corner of the portal dashboard and entering their email address. They will receive an email inviting them to create a portal account.

The application process

Each program component has limits on the number of applications you can submit and/or the grants you can receive each year. Each program component has limits on the number of applications you can submit and/or the grants you can receive each year.

The time required to process results varies according to the program component. Generally, you can expect to see the result of your application on the portal within 3-6 months following your application.

Please consult the Deadlines and Notification of Results page, and consider them when planning your activities.


Typically, we will send your grant payment a few weeks after you’ve completed and submitted your Grant Acceptance Form.

Your application

Applicant eligibility is based on your Applicant Profile.

Your Applicant Profile is validated by program staff based on established criteria.

Note, once your Applicant Profile has been validated, the portal will automatically suggest your eligible funding options.

If you haven’t yet created an Applicant Profile, you can use the eligibility tool to preview your options.

Consult the program descriptions on the Available Program section of your portal Dashboard. If you have more than one Applicant Profile, please note the right column (Eligible Profiles), which shows which profile you can use to apply to that component. If you still have questions, contact the relevant program staff.

Screenshot Available Programs

If you have questions about a specific program please contact the relevant program and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. For additional, general information about grants and applications call 1-800-263-5588 extension 5060 or write to info@canadacouncil.ca

If your application isn’t successful, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your work lacks merit. Grant assessment is a competitive process and budgets are limited.

Remember that every competition has a different set of applicants.

Canada Council staff continue to help and support applicants who are preparing new grant applications.

However, the Council has shifted away from providing individualized feedback on past applications in an effort to continue to meet its service standards for the processing and assessment of applications, and to focus on helping applicants with their future applications.

Program staff will no longer be able to discuss past applications.

Note that Council decisions are final.

The Canada Council does not tolerate any form of verbal abuse, harassment or intimidation toward its staff.

To learn more, see How we make funding decisions, our Granting Policy and the Public Feedback Process.

Yes. Applicants who are Deaf, have disabilities or who are living with mental illness, may apply for Application Assistance to contribute to costs for services to assist them specifically in completing a grant application and/or in submitting a final report.

Requests must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to a component deadline or, if the component has no deadline, 4 weeks before you plan to apply. Consult the details.

Technical Assistance

Who can I contact about a technical issue I’m having with the portal?

Submit a technical report request, by clicking on Technical Support from your portal Dashboard and submitting the required information, or email assistance@canadacouncil.ca.  You can expect to hear back within 3 business days.

Please note that this site works best with recent versions of web browsers. Update your browser for optimal navigation.