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Guide to Getting a Grant

This page provides you with tips and advice to help you in the application process, as well as information about your responsibilities if you receive a grant and your options if your application was unsuccessful.

Information on the application process

Prepare your arts and cultural CV (resume) Your CV will be required when you submit an applicant profile, apply for grants, or nominate yourself to be part of a committee that assesses applications. 

This guide provides information and a template to help artists and arts workers prepare a new CV or adapt an existing one. It focuses on presenting their arts and cultural training, activities and experience to the Canada Council. 
Create your account Learn about creating your account on the portal, identifying and registering your profile(s), completing a voluntary self-identification form, and when you can expect to hear back from program staff.

Featured in this section: fields of practice, information on the validation of your profile, and privacy information.
Apply to programs Find out what to expect during the application process and read helpful advice on preparing an application.

Featured in this section: the general list of ineligible activities, annual application limits, application assistance, and translation requirements for core grants.
If you receive a grant Learn about the conditions and requirements that you or your organization must understand and fulfill if you receive a grant.

Featured in this section: acknowledging Canada Council support, reporting requirements, traveling abroad, income taxes, enhanced review, and Canadian Arts Data forms.
If you do not receive a grant Learn more about unsuccessful grant applications.

Featured in this section: the application assessment process and the awarding of grants, the public feedback process, and the granting policy.

Quick Links

Application steps
Click through to learn more about the granting process

Create your account

Create an account in the portal and register one or more profile(s) for validation.

Profile validation

Once your profile has been reviewed and validated by Canada Council staff, you can apply to program components.

Apply to programs

After your applicant profile has been validated, you can begin to apply to programs using that profile. Read the guidelines and preview the application form before you apply.

Application Assessment

Your application will be assessed by a committee of peers or Canada Council program officers, using weighted assessment criteria.

Notification of results

You will receive details about grant payments, terms and conditions with the results of your application.

Reporting on the grant

If you’ve received a grant, you must report on how you used it.

The Canada Council is committed to equity and inclusion, and encourages applications from culturally diverse, Deaf, disability and official language minority artists, groups and organizations.

The Canada Council recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous peoples of this land and encourages applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups, and organizations in all its programs. Measures are in place in all programs to support these commitments.