Career Development Initiatives Program

Summary

Activity type

Activities that strengthen the career progression of Canadian and Indigenous professionals nationwide

Applicants

Canadian organizations

Submission

Dialogue

Table of contents

Program overview

The Career Development Initiatives program provides targeted financial support for activities that provide mentorship, professional development, career advancement and/or skills development for Canadian and Indigenous creators and professional workers in the audiovisual industry.

Funding under this program can be accessed either through the Prequalified Stream (for national training institutes whose main mandate is to operate career development activities in the audiovisual sector, and who have a track record of prior Telefilm funding) or through the selective stream.

Who can apply

Canadian-controlled corporations who: 

  • Have their head office in Canada. 
  • Work in the film, television or digital media sectors. 

Guidelines and Important Documents

Please review the documents for full program details and eligibility criteria.

As of May 7, 2026

GuidelinesCareer Development Initiatives Program

As of May 7, 2026

Essential Information GuideCareer Development Initiatives Program

As of May 7, 2026

List of required documentsCareer Development Initiatives Program

Key dates

IT support is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST. 

For activities with a start date between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
Deadline extended.		 Opening
June 02, 2026
8:00 AM EDT		 Closing
June 18, 2026
11:59 PM EDT
For activities with a start date between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2027.
 Opening
November 02, 2026
8:00 AM EST		 Closing
November 17, 2026
11:59 PM EST

Latest updates

Get the latest program updates straight to your inbox.

May 7, 2026

Please read our Industry Advisory for more information on the opening of the program.

Apply for funding

Please read our How to apply page for more information on the application process.

Applications must be submitted through Dialogue.

Apply now

Application Documents

At application

Declaration Form for Prequalified Stream Applicants – OptionalCareer Development Initiatives Program
Authorization/Revocation of Representative with regards to TelefilmCareer Development Initiatives Program

At final reporting

Declaration – Final Costs (Upcoming)

Activity Report (Upcoming)

Visibility GridCareer Development Initiatives Program

Business policies

Accounting and Reporting Requirements – Industry Promotion (2025)For all financing agreements entered on or after April 1, 2025, the latest ARRs must be applied.
Accounting and Reporting Requirements – Industry Promotion (2024)For all financing agreements entered on or after March 5, 2024, the latest ARRs must be applied.
Accounting and Reporting Requirements – Industry Promotion (2016)For all financing agreements entered between September 19, 2016 and March 5, 2024, the ARRs published in 2016 must be applied.

Contact

Please read the guidelines and all supporting documents carefully prior to your enquiry.