Canadian Heritage Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP): Events component

(Nov 16, 2025) Important NEW application deadline date changes for the MARP Event Component:

Please note that funding applications for events taking place in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, as of April 1st, 2026, will only be accepted during specified, scheduled intake dates. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and submit their funding proposals before the relevant, scheduled intake dates.

NEW Deadlines:

2026-2027 Events:

Application intake period: October 15, 2025 to November 26, 2025, at 4 pm (ET) for events starting between April 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026

Application intake period: January 7, 2026 to February 18, 2026, at 4 pm (ET) for events starting between August 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026

Application intake period: April 29, 2026 to June 10, 2026, at 4 pm (ET) for events starting between December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

*When an application deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.

2025-2026 Events: open (ongoing call for proposals)Applications must be received 18 weeks before the start date of the event.

Applications for events taking place in the current fiscal year (2025–2026), up to March 31, 2026, will continue to be accepted on a continuous intake basis, subject to the program’s 18-week timeline to submit applications prior to a proposed event start date, and subject to funding availability.

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Program Summary:

The Events component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) provides funding to community-based events that:

• promote intercultural or interfaith understanding
• promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination
• celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament

Expected results are that participants and communities will gain knowledge, develop strategies and take action to:

• increase awareness of Canada’s cultural diversity
• increase awareness of issues affecting full participation in society and the economy, related to culture, ethnicity and/or religion
• increase capacity within communities to address racism and discrimination

The Events component is actively seeking proposals that will include one or both of the following funding priorities, based on emerging governmental priorities. Funding priority may be given to:

• Initiatives that support community-led efforts to counter hate, misinformation, and polarization by fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and civic engagement. These public events aim to equip communities to recognize misinformation and hate-motivated actions and encourage the development of critical thinking leading to stronger social cohesion.
• Initiatives that foster human connection, civic participation, and a shared sense of belonging by bringing communities together through inclusive and interactive gatherings across the country. Activities such as cultural and/or intergenerational dialogue and participatory forums help reduce social isolation and build meaningful ties between people of diverse backgrounds. These efforts cultivate a Canada where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued, reinforcing equity and advancing the vision of a strong, vibrant, and united nation.

Eligible events:

To be eligible for funding your event must meet all of the following requirements:

• establish concrete opportunities for positive interaction among cultural, religious or ethnocultural communities
• demonstrate involvement of more than one single cultural, religious or ethnocultural community or target a single cultural community and provide opportunities to engage with and foster pride in the community’s history, culture and/or identity, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament
• help foster intercultural or interfaith understanding
• be open to and intended for the general public

Who can apply:

The Department of Canadian Heritage is implementing enhanced protocols and processes for funding programs that support Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to help ensure that organizations and individuals that adopt racist, antisemitic and other forms of hateful content will not be eligible to receive government funding.

The following organizations are eligible for funding:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations and unincorporated groups
• Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)
• Indigenous governments, band councils and tribal councils