Ontario Creates — Screen Marketing and Discoverability Program (SMD)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Offers non-repayable contributions of $15,000–$50,000 (up to 75% of eligible expenses) for interactive digital media projects that previously received Ontario Creates Production investments.
Eligibility Requirements
- Company corporate information must be registered with the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal
- Project must be interactive digital media content
- Project must previously have received Ontario Creates Production investment
- Marketing activity must aim to increase audiences and revenues for the screen content project
- Minimum request $15,000; maximum request $50,000
- Must obtain approval from a Program Consultant before submitting
- Application must be submitted via OAP by December 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Interactive content: $15,000–$50,000 non-repayable contribution (up to 75% of eligible expenses)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Continuous; closes December 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win SMD
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipConfirm eligibility and get approval from your Ontario Creates Program Consultant before starting the application; the window closes December 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- The project never received a Production investment from Ontario Creates
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 1
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Applying for SMD? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Stacking partner data not yet available.
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow SMD Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Creates — Screen Marketing an... | Interactive content:... | Hard | Varies | Continuous; closes... |
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| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Applications accepted... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about SMD