TV Content Production Grant Round 1 2011/12

This grant round has now closed. Submissions closed at midnight 26 March 2012 (AEDT - Melbourne time).

Funds are available to encourage participation in Australian community broadcasting through grants to support the production of television content for and by local communities. The TV Grants Advisory Committee aims to support a broad range of community content needs, and encourages regional diversity in community content production. 

Consideration of TV Grants is the responsibility of the TV Grants Advisory Committee (TVGAC).

We strongly encourage you to discuss your project with the relevant 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 the CBF Grants Administrator.

CBF Grants Administrator:

Jon King
Telephone: (03) 9419 8055
Email:jking@cbf.com.au

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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.

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TV Content Production Grant Guidelines

Read these grant guidelines before you apply. The grant guidelines include important information about this grant category including what you can use the grant for and the criteria used by the TV Grants Advisory Committee to assess your application.

1. What is the objective of the TV grants - Content Production grant category?

To encourage participation in Australian community broadcasting through grants to support the production of television content for and by local communities.   The TV Grants Advisory Committee aims to support a broad range of community content needs, and encourages regional diversity in community content production.

2. Who is eligible to apply?

You can apply for a TV Content Production grant if you are:

  • a community television broadcaster, including Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS), with a long-term or temporary licence.
  • an incorporated non-profit organisation that has obtained an agreement from a licensed community television broadcaster to broadcast the Project that is being proposed.

Community television stations may also apply on behalf of incorporated and unincorporated production groups through an auspicing arrangement. Applicants can submit one application per round, with the exception of community television stations and RIMOs, which may apply multiple times per round. Productions or programs supported in 2011/12 will not be eligible to apply in 2012/13. Grants are not available to support productions that will be solely broadcast through a narrowcast licence. A station with a temporary licence must have been on air for at least two years cumulatively prior to applying.

3. How much can you apply for?

Up to $20,000.  The total amount available in 2011/12 is $296,000.

We do not provide matched funding for screen agency co-productions. Applications must clearly state any in-kind support for the Project in the budget. The Project must be completed within the approved budget.

Although the TV Content Production fund does not provide funding for training (see 6), additional external funding may be sought for training-related activities, including government-supported trainee or employment positions.

4. What are the priorities in this grant category?

We will prioritise:

  • New programs or productions
  • Programs that contribute creative and innovative content to the sector

As well as supporting current programs, TV Content Production grants aim to support programs from new and emerging communities and producers, furthering the sector’s aims of encouraging community participation and engagement, and the production of low-cost innovative content. When assessing applications the TV Grants Advisory Committee will aim for an equitable distribution of grant funding across metropolitan and regional/remote producers. 

5. What can you use the grant for?

Production of programs, series or one-off specials for broadcast on community television.

The grant can be used to cover costs relating directly to program production such as production equipment hire, editing and graphic software, travel, music or other copyright, recording stock, technical assistance, interpreters/subtitles.

What conditions apply?

  • Programs must be locally produced with participants drawn from the community broadcasting licensee’s community of interest.
  • Programs must contribute to expanding the variety of viewpoints broadcast in Australia and enhance the diversity of programming choices available.
  • Copyright must reside with the producer.

6. What can't you use the grant for?

7. What does the committee look at when assessing your application?

Applications will be competitively assessed and prioritised against the following assessment criteria:

Weighting Application form question Criteria
20% Why is this project needed? Need - The project will solve a problem or meet a need as described in the grant category objective
Priority - The project addresses the identified category priorities
30% How will the project be delivered? Planning - Your proposal demonstrates thorough planning of the project.
Value - The methods you choose to conduct this project are cost effective for the outcomes to be produced.
30% Who is involved? Capacity - You demonstrate that you have access to the skills and resources to undertake and complete the project.
Stakeholders - You identify people / partners who will contribute to  and  benefit from the project.
20% What will the project achieve? Impact - The project will provide lasting outcomes for your organisation, community and/or the wider community broadcasting sector.
Evaluation - You identify how you will measure the success of the project. 

8. What should you include in the application?

  • A synopsis, program run-down or script
  • In order to be considered, independent production groups must provide a copy of a letter or agreement with a community television licensee demonstrating commitment to broadcast the production.
  • Other supporting material may include: an example of a previous production; a letter of support or written references.
  • Most recent Annual Report with audited financial statements (if not previously supplied)
  • Certificate of Incorporation (if not previously supplied)
  • Organisation's budget for current financial year (if not previously supplied)

For further information see:

Applying for the first time?

General information for all applicants

SmartyGrants Guide for Applicants

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