Canadian Music Grants You Can Apply For in 2026 (With Deadlines and Links)

If you are serious about finishing projects and building real momentum, grants are one of the cleanest ways to fund the work without cutting corners or going broke doing “exposure” math.

Below is a curated list of high value grants available to Canadian artists and organizations, pulled directly from the grant deadlines send out. I also included best practices so you are not just collecting links, you are submitting applications that actually have a chance.

Want help picking the right grant and tightening your application?Book a Free Grant

Consultation: https://calendly.com/northernlightsmedia-info/grant-consultation-call

How to use this list

Step 1: Choose one outcome for the next 90 daysExamples: release an EP, produce a video, tour regionally, build your music business foundation.

Step 2: Match that outcome to one or two grants belowDo not shotgun five applications with vague plans. One strong application beats five weak ones.

Step 3: Build a simple plan and a believable budgetGrant readers can smell fantasy budgets. Keep it clean, scoped, and tied to dates.

Best practices that increase your odds

1. Start earlier than you thinkRolling does not mean last minute. Give yourself two to four weeks to write, collect quotes, and tighten the budget.

2. Make your project easy to understand in 30 secondsWrite a one paragraph summary that clearly answers:What are you doing, when are you doing it, who is involved, and what will exist when you are done?

3. Build a budget that matches the projectUse round numbers only when they are defensible. Include quotes or estimates for major costs whenever possible.

4. Prove you can executeShow past work, show your team, show your timeline. A simple schedule with milestones builds trust.

5. Do not hide the plan inside fluffSkip “we are passionate” paragraphs. Lead with the plan, the audience, and the outcomes.

6. Package your support materials like a professionalOne folder. Clear file names. Working links. If a reviewer has to hunt, you lose points fast.

Grant opportunities and deadlines

National Grants

FACTOR - Live PerformancePayout: $5,000 to $75,000Deadline: Rolling (at least 1 day before tour start)

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://www.factor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/factor_live_performance_program_guidelines.pdf

FACTOR - Video

Payout: Up to $30,000 (50%)

Deadline: Rolling (submit by Jan 15, 2026 for fiscal year inclusion)

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://www.factor.ca/programs/video/

FACTOR - Collective Initiatives

Payout: Up to $200,000 (50% of project cost)

Deadline: May 14, 2026

Eligibility: Music Businesses / Organizations

Grant Link: https://www.factor.ca/programs/collective-initiatives/

FACTOR - SponsorshipPayout: Up to $30,000

Deadline: Jan 22, 2026 & May 18, 2026

Eligibility: Music Businesses / Organizations

Grant Link: https://www.factor.ca/programs/sponsorship/

Canada Council - Artistic Creation (Explore & Create)

Payout: Up to $75,000

Deadline: Rolling (before project start)

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/explore-and-create

Canada Council - Circulation & Touring

Payout: Up to $200,000 (50% of budget)

Deadline: Jan 28, 2026 / Jun 3, 2026 / Oct 7, 2026

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://cca-internal-cac-interne.my.site.com/s/fundingopportunity/119JQ000003Vz5bYAC/6604

Canada Council - Representation & Promotion (Arts Abroad)

Payout: Up to $30,000

Deadline: Rolling (before departure date)

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://cca-internal-cac-interne.my.site.com/s/fundingopportunity/119JQ000003Vz5WYAS/6602

Canada Council - Sector Innovation & Development

Payout: Up to $100,000

Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Music Businesses / Organizations

Grant Link: https://cca-internal-cac-interne.my.site.com/s/fundingopportunity/119JQ000003Vz3pYAC/4002

British Columbia

Creative BC - Business Foundations

Payout: Up to $10,000

Deadline: Jan 28, 2026

Eligibility: Music Businesses / Organizations

Grant Link: https://creativebc.com/funding-programs/music-sound-recording-programs/business-foundations/

Ontario

Ontario Arts Council - Music Production & Presentation Projects

Payout: $5,000 to $20,000Deadline: Mar 25, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m. ET

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/music-production-and-presentation-projects

Ontario Arts Council - Music Recording Projects

Payout: Up to $10,000

Deadline: Apr 21, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m. ET

Eligibility: Artists

Grant Link: https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/music-recording-projects

A simple application checklist you can copy into your notes

• One sentence project outcome

• Project timeline with dates and milestones

• Budget with totals that match your scope

• Quotes or estimates for major costs

• Short bios for key collaborators

• Work samples that match the proposed project

• Audience and marketing plan (how people will find it)

• Any required partner letters or support materials

• A final proofread pass for clarity and broken links

Need help choosing the right grant and tightening your submission?

If you want a second set of eyes on fit, timeline, budget clarity, and positioning, book a free consultation here:https://calendly.com/northernlightsmedia-info/grant-consultation-call