1. Commitments
  2. Equity
  3. Application Assistance

Application Assistance

Application Assistance contributes to costs for services to help applicants with the application process.

Who can request assistance

Individuals (or the lead applicant for a group) who self-identify as:

  • artists who are Deaf, hard of hearing, have a disability or are living with a mental illness
  • First Nations, Inuit or Métis artists facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers.

What type of assistance can I request

Eligible applicants can request assistance at any stage of the application process for the following activities:

  • create a portal account and submit an applicant profile (Profile Assistance)
  • submit a grant application, grant acceptance, project update or final report (Grant Assistance)

When do I submit my request

  • Portal account/profile: before the work begins
  • Application: 4-8 weeks before you plan to submit
  • Grant acceptance: as soon as you know your results
  • Updates/reports: 4 weeks prior to your report due date

How do I request assistance

Call 1-800-263-5588 ext. 5060 or email info@canadacouncil.ca.

You will need:

  • to provide the name and contact information of someone who can help you (service provider)
  • to provide the amount you are requesting, including the service provider’s hourly rate.

Before applying for a grant:

  • You must first have a validated applicant profile
  • You must also meet the eligibility requirements for the grant you are applying for
  • Your service provider’s quote must be approved by program staff before work can begin.

Maximum contribution by type of assistance

Profile assistance

This applies to applicants who identify barriers such as those described above and cannot create a portal account or submit a profile.

Type of assistance Hours Maximum contribution
Create an account, submit a profile 1-2 hrs $50-100

General transcription or editing services and organizing support materials

This applies to applicants who identify barriers within the writing process directly due to a physical/learning disability or due to living with mental illness.

Type of assistance Hours Maximum Contribution
Travel/Professional development/Small-scale activities 2-3 hrs $80-100
Project grants 4-6 hrs $160-200
Grant acceptance/reports 2-3 hrs $80-100

Indigenous language translation into written English or French

This applies to applicants writing an application in an Indigenous language who require translation into written English or French.

Type of assistance Hours Maximum Contribution
Travel/Professional development/Small-scale activities 4-6 hrs $200-300
Project grants 7-12 hrs $350-600
Grant acceptance / reports 4-6 hrs $200-300

Sign language translation into written English or French

Type of assistance Hours Maximum Contribution
Travel/Professional development/Small-scale activities 4-6 hrs $200-300 ASL
$300-400 LSQ
Project grants 7-12 hrs $350-600 ASL
$500-850 LSQ
Grant acceptance / reports 4-6 hrs $200-300 ASL
$300-400 LSQ

Application development

This applies to applicants who identify as having an intellectual or developmental disability and require support to frame their original ideas and/or concepts.

Type of assistance Hours Contribution
Travel/Professional development/Small-scale activities 4-6 hrs $150-300
Project grants 7-12 hrs $350-600
Grant acceptance / reports 4-6 hrs $150-300

How will my request be assessed

An officer will determine your eligibility after receiving the required information.

What are the final steps

  • If you are approved to receive assistance, the officer will confirm Canada Council’s contribution.
  • Once the work is complete and the documents have been submitted, your service provider must send an invoice to the officer (for the amount approved).
  • Council staff will process the invoice and pay the service provider.

I’m a service provider. What do I need to know

Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Have a discussion with the applicant you will be assisting. Find out what their project is and the type of grant they wish to apply for.
  • Ensure the applicant has an up-to-date CV of their professional artistic activities.
  • Familiarize yourself with the steps required to apply by reviewing the Guide to getting a grant
  • Review the Frequently Asked Questions
  • Note that in all programs except Creating, Knowing and Sharing, you cannot have a leadership or artistic role in the project.

What other ways can I get help with my application

If you are not eligible or do not wish to request Application Assistance, there are many other ways you can get help with your application: