## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [2026 Career Launcher Fund](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/4180) April 6, 2026 # 2026 Career Launcher Fund ![](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/assets/media/CL%20Banner.png.webp?itok=qo28KZ6V) rgb(255,255,255) ### **2026 Career Launcher Fund** **Application Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026, 11:59 PM ET** [**Click here to learn more about this opportunity.**](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2026-cl-fund) [**Apply via Typeform here!**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2026-cl-fund) The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the 10th annual Career Launcher Fund for graduating students. Emerging artists and designers are invited to apply for a funding opportunity relating to career supports and skills building as they transition out of school. Proposed expenses can be anything that would be important to advancing an individual’s career success and activities in one of the four funding pillars: - Showcasing or distributing your work - Skills development - Access to networks - Supporting your creative business Additionally, the Brampton Arts Organization has generously donated $2,000 for **Brampton Arts Organization Prize.** This fund will be distributed to one or more applicants with a connection to Brampton. Proposed expenses must be specific, create a compelling case for support, and should be something important to advancing your career success. Special attention will be given to proposals that take into consideration the numerous privileges and access that end once you leave school, such as facilities, community, knowledge and skill acquisition, and mentorship. A representative jury will select Fund recipients once all submissions have been reviewed. **SUGGESTED ELIGIBLE EXPENSES** - Professional development and skill-building (Courses, Classes and Workshop Fees; Apprenticeship). \*In partnership with the OCAD U RBC CEAD and the Career Launcher Fund, [OCAD U School of Continuing Studies](https://continuingstudies.ocadu.ca/) will be offering discount course offerings for the total cost of $350 with no tax, to match the maximum fund amount available for each selected applicant. In your application, indicate the course you wish to take with the webpage link. - Short-term rental fees (Studios and Facilities) - Production expenses (Software, Professional Services) - Membership or subscription fees (Associations and Organizations; Software; Facility Access and Equipment Loans) - Submission fees (Awards, Residencies, Exhibitions and Publications) - Ticket and attendance fees (Conferences, fairs, trade shows) - Exhibition assistance (Production, Promotion, Documentation) - + much more **INELIGIBLE EXPENSES** The CL Fund does NOT support the following: - Travel costs - Event and hospitality expenses (food, catering, drinks, etc) - Accommodation or long-term studio rental costs - Substantial equipment or tool purchases (rentals and purchasing minor tools are permitted) - Proposals covered by other OCAD U funding programs like the [OCAD U Commitment](http://bit.ly/ocaducommitment%29), [emergency loans](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/financial-aid/bursaries), [Student Union Project Grants](https://www.ocadsu.org/services/funding), etc. For more information, please visit the archive section of our Career Launcher website to see past recipients and **examples of successful applications**([2025](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2025-cl-fund), [2024,](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2024-career-launcher-fund) [2023](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2023-career-launcher-fund), [2022](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/10475415), [2021](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/8330487), [2020](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/7082610), [2019](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/5996270)) ### **ELIGIBILITY:** All Undergraduate and Master's students **graduating in 2026**. ### **APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:** Please provide the following information in **one PDF document**: - Current CV or Resume - A **one sentence** summary of how you intend to use the fund - Written proposal (max. 300 words) outlining the proposed use of funds and the significance of the opportunity to your practice and/or career.ƒ - Include an **itemized budget**proposal outlining **eligible** expenses. Proposed expenses must be specific and could be up to $350 (minimum requested amount - $100). Be specific. Round to the nearest dollar. - Portfolio link or PDF sample highlighting 3-5 works demonstrating the nature of your creative practice. Include a list of the works you are highlighting. ### **FAQ:** - Applicants are welcome to use this [downloadable budget template](https://ocaduniversity.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/CEAD/EaeBjso95rZFj4cfkZ9ffqIB83AG40kueAz7TA91kerf0Q?e=YaCGF2) for their application. - The Career Launcher Fund does not support reimbursements for items already purchased. - Successful applicants will not be asked to submit receipts. - Applicants must make sure that currencies are proposed expenses are in CAD before submitting to jury. Please include cost in original currency and converted to CAD. ### **RATE:** **$100 - $350** ### **APPLICATION PORTAL:** [Apply via Typeform here!](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2026-cl-fund) --- [**Click here for more information about our Career Launchers opportunities.**](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### OCAD U’s Global Centre for Climate Action and EU bring large-scale art to Toronto’s Canada Malting Silos "The Light" and "Melting Temporalities" transformed the waterfront into a canvas for climate reflection. October 6, 2026 ](/news/ocad-us-global-centre-climate-action-and-eu-bring-large-scale-art-torontos-canada-malting) [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Curators OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create the CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. One (1) emerging Curator will receive $1,700 to curate a single channel, projection-based screening program of work from the OCAD U community. The Projections Program will be displayed at the CDCC for six-weeks in March 2027. September 27, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-curators) [### 2027 DesignTO Exhibition Stantec Window Gallery Call for Artists DesignTO, Stantec Window Gallery and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a public window gallery exhibition Career Launcher. One (1) exhibition proposal will receive a total of $1,230 to show their work as part of the 2027 DesignTO Festival. September 20, 2026 ](/news/2027-designto-exhibition-stantec-window-gallery-call-artists)