Access Copyright Foundation: Professional Development Grants

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Program Summary:

Access Copyright Foundation provides support to creators and organizations engaged in the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works in the literary and visual arts. We are an arm’s length foundation of Access Copyright, a collective voice of creators and publishers in Canada. 

Access Copyright Foundation Professional Development grants provide access to specialized training and continuing education for writers and visual artists; arts professionals working as self-employed freelancers or working as employees of Canadian publishers and publishing, writing, and visual arts organizations.

WHAT WE FUND:

Professional development may be undertaken through formal or informal means such as:

• Workshops, courses, conferences or seminars
• Skills development or practical continuing education directly related to the applicant’s professional publishing work, such as editing, illustration or marketing courses or non-academic certificates
• Online or correspondence courses
• Internships or professional exchanges
• Mentorships or apprenticeships
• Residencies, retreats, colonies or studio programs for professional artists
• Career development events or consultation

Eligible Applicants:

APPLICANT CATEGORIES:

Creators: Professional writers and visual artists seeking to develop their craft, learn new skills, acquire specialized knowledge, train with an established professional peer or pursue career development opportunities.

Arts Professionals: Self-employed professionals working freelance in the writing, publishing and visual arts sector (including but not limited to editors, illustrators, designers, publicists, literary agents and consultants) seeking to acquire new skills or knowledge, attend creative industry events or pursue career development opportunities.

Organizations and Publishers: Publishers or publishing, writing and visual arts organizations seeking to enhance their employees’ expertise and knowledge through professional exchange, continuing education, skills development or attendance at creative industry events.

Eligible organizations and publishers must apply on behalf of program, editorial, administrative, marketing and production staff, including term or contract employees. Publishers and organizations sending staff to a conference or event may apply for travel, accommodation and registration expenses on behalf of only one employee at each deadline.

Publishers with several imprints or companies that share staff and resources may apply for only one project and employee.