The Canada-France Agreement component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) supports joint missions between Canadian and French heritage organizations. The program creates lasting ties between museums in both countries, enhances skills and competencies of museum professionals through knowledge sharing, and helps Canadian organizations develop international partnerships and reach new audiences for Canadian heritage collections.

Program Objectives:

• Create and develop special, lasting ties between Canadian and French museums
• Enhance skills and competencies of museum professionals through best practice sharing
• Assist Canadian organizations in developing new international partnerships
• Help Canadian heritage organizations reach new potential audiences
• Optimize implementation of joint projects between Canadian and French institutions

Eligible Project Examples:

Exchange missions that promote professional development related to key museum functions (workshops, seminars, internships and learning opportunities)

Partnership development missions that forge lasting ties between Canadian and French museums (exchanges, structured work placements, exhibition development or joint activities)

Innovation missions that encourage experimentation, innovation or sharing of professional/technical expertise

Research exchanges on relevant heritage or museological topics

Funding Priority:

Priority given to projects where objectives further the development of official language minority communities, and to projects focusing on:

• Equality/equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation/appeasement of memories
• Sustainable and responsible museums
• Digital transformation

Key Requirements:

• Joint application required: Applications must be submitted by eligible organizations in both countries (Canadian partner submits in Canada; French partner submits in France)
• Cooperation agreement: Both parties must sign a cooperation agreement
• Eligible expenses limited to: Travel, accommodation, meals and incidental expenses (per Government of Canada travel directive); incremental administration costs related to the mission
• Funding structure: Canadian government covers airline tickets for Canadians traveling to France, and accommodation/meals/travel for French participants in Canada. French government reimburses Canadian expenses in France upon project completion and submission of receipts.

Important Notice:

Projects and expenses related to exhibition construction, mounting, presentation or circulation are not eligible. Salaries and wages of participants, and costs for attendance at professional development activities (including travel) are not eligible.

Applications submitted before the deadline cannot include expenses already incurred. Incurring expenses before receiving written funding approval is done at applicant's risk.