The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Independent Production Fund (IPF) are partnering for the first time on a fund geared toward developing short-form scripted content.

The Development Packaging Program will see both organizations leverage their resources to nurture new talent and support creators at the development stage. The program has a budget of $600,000, with each project eligible to receive a maximum of $30,000.

To qualify, series must be new and original; be scripted, episodic short-form dramas and have a run-time of less than 20 minutes; have a confirmed creative team; must be able to provide various deliverables by Sept. 30, 2020; and must be developed in either English or French.

“After assessing the market needs for programs supporting short-form series at various stages of production, the CMF launched its Web Series Program in 2016. We now see a need to provide additional support for this type of content at the development stage,” said CMF VP, programs and business development Nathalie Clermont in a statement.

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee from the IPF, with final decisions made by representatives of both funding bodies. The Development Packaging Program’s deadline to apply is March 2, 2020. Recipients will be selected and notified in April 2020.

Last month, the IPF revealed that longtime CEO Andra Sheffer will retire at the end of the year. With her departure, Jon Taylor, who has served as IPF chair for the past two years, will step into the CEO role.