Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about TELUS Fund.

What are the TELUS Fund’s credit placement requirements?

The TELUS Fund relies on prominent credit placement to raise awareness of its programs and financing available to create more exceptional health and wellness content.

The TELUS Fund credit must appear wherever versions of the funded project are used worldwide. Financing from the Fund must also be acknowledged in all promotion worldwide, including for example paid advertising, press releases, publicity and promotional materials. Typically:

In Television and Digital programming: the TELUS Fund credit will appear immediately before the first frame or immediately after the last frame of programming.

In Non-programming: the TELUS Fund's credit must appear prominently in all content created. For example, in the top third of the project website and in the walls of various social media and digital channels.

The producer is responsible for ensuring all agreements related to the funded project agree to abide by the TELUS Fund’s credit requirements. Before completion, the producer must submit a mock-up of the visual layout of credits for TELUS Fund’s approval.

The TELUS Fund may consider exceptions to the above requirements where there are comparable alternative opportunities for TELUS Fund credit placement (for example more prominent credit placement in a live event tour) or when the Fund's participation is less than or equal to $75,000 and 15% of the project budget.

We have not yet produced a pitch video or sizzle reel for our project. Can we still apply for funding?

Applications for production and discoverability financing must include a professional sizzle reel, trailer, or pilot episode.

A pitch video is optional with applications for development financing but, those that do have a video, will be more competitive in the decision-making process.
More details in the Program Guidelines.

Who makes the funding decisions?

Funding decisions are the sole discretion of the Board which operates at arm’s length to the TELUS Corporation and any of its affiliates. The Directors of the Fund are also responsible for the consideration of official language minority communities’ realities in their decision making.

How long does it take to receive a funding decision?

Depending on the volume of applications, applicants can expect to receive an email acknowledging receipt of their submission within five business days. The Board of Directors will typically render a funding decision within eight to ten weeks of submission.

Is the funding repayable?

The Fund provides a recoupable advance similar in nature to an unsecured, non-interest bearing, forgivable loan. The Fund does not acquire an equity interest in the copyright or participate in profits. Amounts paid back to the Fund are reinvested into the financing of more exceptional health and wellness content.

At the development stage, financing is repayable to the TELUS Fund if the Content moves forward to a next stage or if Content rights are transferred, sold or exploited in any manner. At the production and discoverability stages, financing is repayable from production revenue, if any is earned.

How do provincial and federal tax credits treat financing from the Fund?

As provincial and federal tax credit policies are complex, Applicants are encouraged to consult with them directly on this question. To date, many of these programs have determined financing from the Fund to be akin to a grant or subsidy reducing the eligible tax credit.

Does the Fund have standard budget templates and business policies?

Not yet. Wherever possible we align with and rely upon excellent templates and policies already developed by more mature Certified Independent Production Funds.

Must the Platform be owned by Canadians?

No. The Platform must be accessible by Canadians.

Must the Programming be available in both English and French languages in Canada?

No. However, Programming that has obtained distribution commitments on platforms accessible by both English and French Canadians will be more competitive than those that have not.

Do I need an expert in the well-being subject area attached to the Project?

All applications for development and production financing are required to include support from an Expert Organization to ensure content is free of editorial bias, presents verified research, and does not undermine the potential positive impact.

Can I apply with more than one application?

Yes. You will be required to verify all submissions are feasible and can be successful before selecting more than one for funding.

If my request for an "invitation to apply" is declined, may I submit another request?

Applicants that do not receive an invitation still have the option to apply at an upcoming deadline date.

How many times may I apply for funding with the same project?

Applicants are encouraged to first apply for development financing. When you are ready to proceed into production, you may then apply for production financing. After the project has successfully launched, you may apply for discoverability financing to continue developing the audience. If at any stage your project does not receive a positive funding decision, you are welcome to submit a new application for the same stage if there are material changes that improve its alignment to the evaluation criteria. For example: you have obtained additional support from Expert Organizations, Platforms and Audience Partners, or you have secured additional financing to create additional episodes of Programming and ample Complementary Content.

What have we already funded?

Discover health content that has received support from TELUS Fund.

What is discoverability?

Explore our range of tools and resources to help define your project’s audience.

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