Grants for Writing About Canada’s Past: How to Get Funding for Your Memoir or Heritage Project
Best Grants for Writing About Canada’s Past
The Canadian government has a vested interest in historical information on Canada. If you are interested in writing a memoir about Canadian history, an immigration story, or a story about First Nation, Metis, or Inuit history/ culture, read on to learn how to apply for Canadian history grants.
Top Government Grants for Writing About Canadian History
There are several organizations that provide funding for historical projects. Some specifically provide writing grants, while others are more broad. Check out the information below to learn where to find funding for Canadian heritage projects.
CHA Collaboration Fund
Offered By:
The Canadian Historical Association (CHA) through the CHA Collaboration Fund, supported by a request from Dr. Richard Allen. https://cha-shc.ca/careers-and-opportunities/funding/
Objective:
Encourages collaboration among historians in Canada
Supports public events, research teams, pedagogical initiatives, and other community-building projects
Prioritizes projects that extend beyond a single institution
This Might Be Right For You if:
You are looking to partner with historians/ historical institutes for research support
You are interested in becoming a CHA member
To Be Eligible:
Applicants must be CHA members in good standing
Open to project leaders, committee members, or individual CHA members
Must submit a 2-page proposal detailing:
Project description and objectives
Contribution to CHA’s mission
Budget breakdown, including funding for CHA members and community participants
Funding Details:
Maximum $4,000 per year ($2,000 awarded in spring and fall)
Individual applicants can request up to $1,000
CHA prioritizes judiciously budgeted proposals to fund as many projects as possible
Submission:
Send proposals to cha-shc@cha-shc.ca
Contact Catherine Charlton for inquiries
Canadian Heritage Fund
The Canadian government provides a wide variety of grants through the Canada Canadian Heritage Fund. To access these grants you will need to find a community partner to apply for them through. This could mean working with a library, local newspaper, or a University. Government grants for writing can help you with indigenous history grants, first nations metis inuit funding, Canadian immigration stories and many more works related to Canadian history and culture.
Canada History Fund
Offered by: Canadian Heritage https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/canada-history-fund/program-details.html
Objective:
The Canada History Fund aims to enhance Canadians’ knowledge of history, civics, and public policy by funding:
Learning materials
Workshops, conferences, and group activities
Websites, mobile apps, and digital tools
Networks and partnerships
Large-scale reference works
Research and publications on Canadian public policy
This Grant Might be For You if:
You are interesting in connecting with a post secondary institution
You want to work on education material
Your project fills a curriculum need
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Have a mandate focused on Canadian history, civics, or public policy
Show a proven track record of national programming OR be a post-secondary institution
Demonstrate a national geographic reach
Changing Narratives Fund
Offered by: Canadian Heritage https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/changing-narratives-fund.html
A new initiative to support diverse communities (Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+)
This Grant Might be For You if:
You're interested in writing a news article/ working with a journal or newspaper
You are writing a story about a diverse community or individual
Or you are part of a marginalized group
Includes three components
The Canada Media Fund
Television, digital media, screen industry, cinematic production industries
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Support diverse communities in Canada's screen-based industries
Be a Canadian-owned and controlled non-profit focused on the screen-based sector
Be legally incorporated at the time of application
Be in good standing with the CMF (no outstanding issues from past funded projects)
The Local Journalism Initiative
Money given to Canadian media organizations to cover journalism in underserved communities
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Is a press agency, a private news organization, or a non-profit news organization
The Collective Initiatives Component of the Canada Periodical Fund
Fund aimed at sustaining periodical industry while focusing on diverse communities
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Be a non-profit registered in Canada or a province, supporting magazines or community newspapers
Be an industry-related group, such as a writers' association, press agency, or media organization serving multiple publications across Canada
Have its head office in Canada
Have operated for at least one full financial year before applying
Commemorate Canada
Offered by: Canadian Heritage
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/commemorate-canada.html
Funding to commemorate nationally significant events and accomplishments, historical figures or places.
This Grant Might be For You if:
You are writing about a historical figure or event.
Your story is of national significance
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Canadian non-profits (corporations, trusts, cooperatives, associations)
For-profit organizations (only for non-commercial projects)
Public education institutions in Canada
Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments & institutions
Documentary Heritage Communities Program
https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/services/funding-programs/dhcp/pages/dhcp.aspx
Dedicated the preserval of Canadian history and documentation.
This Grant Might be For You if:
Your project is significant in documenting heritage
Your project has a significant impact on the broader community
Responds to a community or organization need
To be eligible, look for a community partner organization that:
Archives
Genealogical and historical societies
Indigenous organizations and government institutions (e.g., cultural centers, community organizations, historical societies)
Private libraries
Organizations with an archival collection (must have dedicated storage, public accessibility, and proper descriptions)
Professional library or archival associations (supporting archivists, librarians, historians, authors, and information managers)
Explore all other heritage services funds here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding.html
If you're looking for grants for writing about Canada’s past, there are numerous funding opportunities available through the Canadian government and historical organizations. Whether you're interested in writing a memoir about Canadian history, documenting an immigration story, or preserving First Nation, Métis, or Inuit culture, these government grants for writing can help bring your project to life. From the Canada History Fund and Commemorate Canada to the Documentary Heritage Communities Program, there are funding options for authors, researchers, and historians dedicated to preserving Canadian heritage. Many of these grants require partnering with a university, library, or historical organization, making it essential to connect with the right community partners. If you need guidance on grant applications or finding a suitable organization, book a free consultation today and take the next step in preserving Canada’s history.
