The OMIF Music Company Development (MCD) stream supports the development of competitive, sustainable music companies in Ontario that take risks discovering and developing talent and bringing it to market.

Deadlines

In the 2026-27 program year, there will be two application intakes and deadlines.

Intake 1: Now Open

Deadline 1: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5:00PM ET

For activities taking place between April 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027 (recipients will have a maximum 12-month eligible activity window within this period depending on the date of their first expenditure)

Intake 2: Applications Open: Week of July 13, 2026

Deadline 2: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 5:00PM ET

For activities taking place between August 1, 2026 and January 15, 2028 (recipients will have a maximum 12-month eligible activity window within this period depending on the date of their first expenditure)

Eligible Applicants

Domestic Record Labels, Multinational Record Labels, Domestic Music Publishers, and Domestic Music Management Companies, in addition to companies deriving revenue from any combination of these three applicant categories.

Full eligibility requirements can be found in the Music Company Development Guidelines.

Note: companies can apply for export travel support through Global Market Development – Music.

Funding Available

Funding is available in the form of a direct grant.

• Up to 50% towards the cost of eligible activities
• Eligible applicants may request up to 40% of their two-year average annual revenue to a maximum cap of $125,000 per funding cycle, and up to a maximum of $250,000 over three consecutive cycles

NOTE: Full eligibility requirements and details can be found in the Ontario Creates Music Company Development Guidelines. Please read the guidelines completely before beginning your application. Ontario Creates reserves the right to revise Guidelines and Application Forms. Please ensure that you have the current versions before preparing your application.

Application Process

IMPORTANT: First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the OMO at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline to discuss eligibility. Email inquiries to OMO@ontariocreates.ca.

• Applicants must submit their applications electronically through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) at https://apply.ontariocreates.ca.
• Applicants that do not have a user account on OAP should go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/ and click on “Register.” For assistance, please see Ontario Creates’ website for the “OAP Quick Start Guide”.
• For technical assistance, please contact the OAP Helpdesk at applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.
• Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early to allow ample time to compile and complete the necessary information. The application may be worked on incrementally, saving information as it is entered. Once saved, it's possible to go back and edit/add information up until the application is completed and ready to be submitted.

Late applications will not be considered for funding.

Prior discussion with Ontario Creates regarding the eligibility of an activity does not guarantee funding.

Information Session

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an upcoming Ontario Creates Information Session.

Please complete the online registration form by 5:00 pm ET on the day prior to the Information Session.

Attending an Information Session is not a substitute for reading the Guidelines. Please read the Guidelines.

Enquiries

Program Coordinator, Music Company Development
416-642-6696
OMO@ontariocreates.ca

Enquiries regarding the Online Application Portal (OAP) should be directed to applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca

To receive notification of upcoming deadlines and program updates, please register with your complete contact information, including your full name, company name and telephone number, as well as the name of the program that you are interested in.