GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS
$20,000 one-time cash prize, awarded to two projects at program end.
Rolling submissions; the 2026 lab begins with bootcamps in late January.
FUNDING TYPE
Grant, Program
CAN YOU GET THIS?
YOUR REAL ODDS
Eight producers are selected per cohort, and only two of those win the $20,000 cash prize.
Competition is real: you go through an intensive multi-month program before pitching for the award. The prize is the endpoint, not the entry point.
WHAT IT TAKES
Submit application with project and track record — A few hours to a day
Complete two intensive weekend bootcamps (late January and late February) — 2 weekends
Attend weekly workshops with broadcasters, funders, and industry professionals — 7 weeks of Wednesday evenings, March–April
Pitch project live at Hot Docs in Toronto — 1–2 days on-site
WORTH KNOWING
The program has an explicit mandate to increase access for Black, Indigenous, people of colour, and LGBTQ2S+ creators, and it runs in partnership with the Black Screen Office—self-identifying in your application is encouraged and likely factors into selection.
MORE LIKE THIS
Big Idea Grant
$1,000 one-time grant, one awarded per month
Women entrepreneurs in the US, for-profit, age 18+, at any stage can apply monthly for $1,000.
Black Ambition Prize
$1,000,000 grand prize, awarded annually
Black founders and other underrepresented founders with a US-based startup that has raised less than $1M and has a minimum viable product can apply.
Sky's The Limit Grant
Up to $2,500 per grant, awarded monthly.
Monthly $2,500 startup grants open to entrepreneurs in the US, Canada, and UK, with a focus on underrepresented founders.
$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.
Explore the funding database →
$19/month · cancel anytime