Deadline: October 16, 2025
Applications are open for the Broadcaster Envelope Program – Diverse Languages 2025. This program is designed to support productions that reflect Canadian diversity by funding projects in languages other than English, French, or Indigenous-Canadian languages.
The Broadcaster Envelope Program: Diverse Languages allocates funding to Canadian broadcasters based on their history of supporting Canadian programming in diverse languages. While broadcasters receive the funding envelope, the actual funds are paid directly to eligible applicants according to a set payment schedule. This initiative ensures that Canadian audiences have access to a wider range of stories and perspectives, promoting cultural richness and inclusion in the media landscape.
Benefits
- Direct Funding: Eligible applicants receive funding directly, supporting the creation and production of linear content in diverse languages.
- Flexibility: The maximum CMF contribution is now more flexible, with the previous dollar cap removed. This allows applicants to structure their financing to best suit their project’s needs.
- Support for All Genres: Funding is available for any eligible genre of linear content, including drama, documentary, children & youth, and variety & performing arts.
- Alternative Access: Broadcasters without a direct envelope allocation can still participate through the Alternative Access option, subject to available funds
- Promoting Diversity: The program actively encourages the creation of content that broadens the representation of Canada’s multicultural communities on screen.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Diverse Languages Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Canadian-controlled as defined in sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act.
- Have their head office in Canada.
- Be in good standing with all relevant talent and industry associations and guilds.
- Affirm and attest that the project submitted for funding complies with the CMF’s Narrative Positioning Policy.
- The original language of production must be a language other than English, French, or an Indigenous Canadian language. Exceptions may be considered if a Canadian broadcaster contributes a portion of their English or French envelope allocation, but the project’s primary language must remain a diverse language.
- Projects must be closed-captioned in the original language of production if they contain narrative, dialogue, or lyrics. Exceptions may be made for projects targeting children under five, projects in Indigenous languages that do not use the Roman alphabet, and live-to-air productions.
Application
For more information, visit Broadcaster Envelope Program – Diverse Languages.
