Publisher Project Support Program

This program provides assistance to Manitoba book publishers with the costs of projects which will increase their company's efficiency, productivity and/or overall financial viability. Priority is given to projects which are part of a long-term company business plan. Examples of eligible projects include:

• technological new equipment purchase or upgrades;
• professional skills upgrading, i.e., Banff or Simon Fraser University Publishing Programs;
• feasibility studies or research;
• special costs related to an extraordinary publishing venture, such as outside editorial, design or research costs;
• wages for special temporary staff related to special projects or systems upgrading; and
• special marketing initiatives, i.e., costs related to an extraordinary publishing venture.

LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE

This program will provide up to 50% of eligible costs of approved projects, to a total maximum of $15,000.00 for any one publisher, subject to available funds.

Approved projects will normally be required to be completed by March 31. Publishers may request but extensions will normally only be approved for larger projects or for projects which require more than 10 months to be completed.

Upon approval of a project, funding will be provided in two installments. The new installment guidelines provide 75% of total support upon approval of a project. The balance installment of 25% will be forthcoming upon receipt and review of a Final Report detailing your project, including results achieved and financial information related to the project budget. Please remember: You may apply for your final installment at any time, once the project for which you have received a grant is completed.

Applications will be assessed by outside industry experts. Assessments will be based on:

• the contribution the project will make to the company's overall productivity, efficiency and financial viability;
• whether projected project costs are reasonable; and
• the applicant's ability to carry out the proposed project.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible book publishers must meet the follwing criteria:

• Majority owned by Canadian citizens or landed immigrants resident in Manitoba, with head office and majority of operations in Manitoba.
• An on-going operation with publishing as a primary, not peripheral activity (75% of revenues and expenses must be publishing related.)
• In active operation for at least two years.
• A backlist of at least four original, eligible titles* with at least two new titles published in the last year.
• Majority of titles are not authored by principles or employees of the company.

*Ineligible titles (those which cannot be included in calculations of eligible titles) include directories, index compilations, catalogues of exhibitions, books of less than 48 pages (except for children's books), books for which the author does not receive a royalty, books to which the author has made a financial contribution toward publication costs, and titles not authored by Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.

Summary

Eligible Projects include: 

• Feasibility studies or research/computer equipment purchase or technology upgrades/professional skills upgrading
• Special costs related to an extraordinary publishing venture, such as outside editorial, design or research costs
• Wages for special temporary staff related to special projects or systems upgrading
• Special marketing initiatives

Financial Assistance 

• This program will provide up to 50% of eligible costs of approved projects, up to a total maximum of $15,000 for any one publisher.
• Upon approval of a project, funding will be provided in installments.
• 75% of total support provided upon approval of the project and 25% upon receipt of final report.

Assessments will be based on: 

• The applicant's ability to carry out the proposed project.
• The contribution the project will make to the company's overall productivity, efficiency and overall fiancial viability.

Application deadlines will vary from year to year. Contact the Cultural Industries Consultant for further information.

Manitoba Contact(s):
Victor Enns
Publishing Consultant
Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism
6th floor - 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 1N3
Telephone: 204-945-7581
E-mail: Victor.Enns@gov.mb.ca
Web site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/index.html