Content grants aim to support the development, production and distribution of original content via Australian community radio and/or television broadcasters and associated platforms.
Original content is content that has never been broadcast before. This can include new episodes of existing programs.
This year we are particularly looking to:
Consideration of Content grants is the responsibility of the Content Grants Advisory Committee (CGAC). You will receive early advice about the success of your application.
To complete requests for support for specialist radio programming within your Content grant application, you will need to provide:
Download the grant guidelines for Content grants - including Specialist Radio Programming here.
You can preview the application form by clicking the 'preview the form' icon above, or you can preview a PDF of the application summary here.
Project details components of the application will be added to your application summary. If you would like to skip straight to them, you can download the project details sections of the Content Grant application to preview here:
Content Projects Under $10,000
Specialist Radio Programming (Ethnic, Indigenous, RPH)
Please note that drop-down menu and links are not available for preview in PDF format. These files will show you the questions asked in the forms and the type of information you will be required to provide when the grant round opens on 9 January, 2017.
We strongly encourage you to discuss your project with a CBF Grants Administrator before submitting your application. They can provide advice on the types of projects funded in this category and what information you should include in your application.
For assistance in applying please see links to further information below. If you would prefer to apply for the grant using a word processing document, contact a CBF Grants Administrator by:
Telephone: (03) 8341 5900
Email: grants@cbf.com.au
For further information see:
General information for all applicants
SmartyGrants Guide for Applicants
* * *
This grant round has now closed. While the grant guidelines for the next round may change, the guidelines for the last round are below for your reference.
* * *
Content grants aim to support the development, production and distribution of original content via Australian community radio and/or television broadcasters and associated platforms.
Original content is content that has never been broadcast before. This can include new episodes of existing programs.
This year we are particularly looking to:
You can apply for a Content grant if you are a current or prospective community broadcaster producing content for broadcast by a recognised community broadcasting station.
While the application process is open to any producer, the grant itself must be managed by an eligible organisation listed below. We encourage you to negotiate an auspice agreement with any auspice organisation you work with.
Eligible organisations include:
Community broadcasting sector organisations provide services and resources for the sector.
A station with a temporary licence must have been on air for at least two years cumulatively prior to applying.
What conditions apply?
If the content you’re proposing is about Indigenous peoples or culture, please refer to the CBF Indigenous Engagement Protocols.
You can apply for any content-specific project for broadcast on:
Organisations seeking support should demonstrate how they will address one or both of the funding objectives above, such as:
You may apply to be considered for multi-year funding support. If your request is accepted, you will be required to provide additional information such as more detailed budgets and planning documentation.
For inspiration and examples of funded projects, see Success Stories on the CBF website.
For information about applications to support Specialist Radio Programming, see here.
You can apply for any number of program / content production projects and there is no limit on how much you can apply for. Applicants should note that assessors will take the value represented by your proposal into account in their assessment scores.
Small-scale proposals have a simpler application and reporting process. Proposals are competitively assessed against proposals requesting a similar level of support:
Each individual proposal requesting $50,000 or more within your overall application must demonstrate financial contributions from other funding sources, such as other funding partners, sponsors, fundraising or financial contributions from your organisation’s own resources. The proportion of the co-contribution may be considered in assessment. Such contributions are in addition to any in-kind or volunteer support.
The Content Grants Advisory Committee (CGAC) will apply the following priority weightings on assessment scores from:
These applicants will receive a weighting on their assessment score as described in section 8 below. An applicant may qualify for both weightings.
FAQ link: How do the priority weightings work?
Content development and distribution costs directly associated with the production and delivery of a specific program or project, such as:
Your application will be competitively assessed on its merits.
Each proposal within your application will be read by panels of people drawn from the CGAC and from our assessor pool.
You may suggest that assessors with a particular cultural background, gender or skill set would be the most appropriate to read and score each of your projects within your application against the criteria below.
The CGAC will consider assessment scores and comments for each proposal within your application on its merits and in the context of your overall proposal and make recommendations to the CBF Board.
Your application may receive part support, i.e. some project proposals within your application may be supported and some may not. For a visual representation of the assessment process, click here [link to be provided].
This project will be assessed on the following basis:
Weighting |
Criteria |
Example application form question |
40% |
Idea - the application is putting forward a reasonable proposal or concept for which there is a demonstrated need. The proposal meets one or both of the objectives of the grant category. |
What would you like to do and why is it important? How will you increase community participation in community broadcasting? Demonstrate how your proposal will produce high quality and creative content. |
30% |
Impact – the application will have a demonstrable, positive outcome for the station / sector / community. |
Who will the proposal benefit? How will you measure its success? |
30% |
Implementation – the application shows that you can complete the project, demonstrating clear planning and good value for money. |
How will the proposal be carried out? Who will be involved? Provide details of the Budget. Hint: how will you promote the project? |
Note: Supporting documents provided will also be considered against relevant grant criteria.
Your entire Content Grant application will be considered by the CGAC on the basis of:
FAQ link: How will the application be assessed?
The application will include:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include the following supporting documentation:
Applicants are encouraged to supply a letter of support from any external partners supporting your proposal. If the project is currently available through a distribution service applicants are encouraged to provide evidence through links or attachments that outline this.