The OMIF Music Industry Development (MID) stream provides support to Ontario’s established music trade associations and service organizations to offer initiatives, events and activities that strengthen, support and stimulate the economic and cultural growth of Ontario’s music industry.

MID will provide funding to successful applicants that engage in strategic and collective initiatives with long-term impacts on growth, competitiveness and sustainability in the music sector by building market share, increasing sales, promoting innovation, enhancing workforce development and expanding regional capacity.

Funding is provided in the form of direct grants towards the costs of eligible activities. MID requires applicants to provide a financial contribution to ensure the province’s investment delivers maximum return. Applicants must demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes which align with the objectives of the Music Industry Development stream.

Deadline

The OMIF Music Industry Development stream has a continuous application intake - applications may now be submitted until Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, or until all funds have been allocated.

Applicants will receive a response within 8-10 weeks of submitting an application.

Please note: Applications submitted after October 2, 2026 will be reviewed along with those received on the final program deadline, resulting in a longer response time.

Funding Available

• Eligible applicants may apply for a maximum of $125,000 per funding cycle
• For requests between $10,000 - $50,000, the OMIF contribution may not exceed 75% of the total approved budget
• For requests over $50,000, the OMIF contribution may not exceed 50% of the total approved budget
• Activities must take place within a (maximum) 12-month spending window between April 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027
• Spending may commence once an application has been submitted (at applicant’s own risk), provided a valid certificate of insurance is in place
• For activities that are event-based (e.g., showcases, conferences, public-facing training programs) applications must be submitted a minimum of eight weeks in advance of the event
• The minimum funding request is $10,000

Eligible Applicants

Not-For-Profit Music Industry Trade Associations and Music Service Organizations

Note: Full eligibility requirements can be found in the MID Program Guidelines.

Application Process

IMPORTANT: First-time applicants must contact the Ontario Music Office (OMO) at least three 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 strongly 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 organization or activity does not guarantee funding.

Information Sessions

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 a Webinar Session is not a substitute for reading the guidelines. Please read the guidelines.

Enquiries

Program Coordinator, Music Industry 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.