Funds are available to assist the ongoing development of Indigenous community broadcasting across Australia through grants to support the production of regular Indigenous programs to serve a defined local Indigenous community.
Please note that Round 1 2015/16 applications are for the funding period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016, a six month period.
Consideration of Indigenous Grants is the responsibility of the Indigenous Grants Advisory Committee (IGAC).
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:
Georgie Boucher, Grants Administrator
Telephone: (03) 8341 5955
Email: gboucher@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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Guidelines for Indigenous Program grants
Please read these grant guidelines before you apply. Even if you frequently apply under this category, read them each round, as the grant guidelines are regularly revised. The grant guidelines include important information about this grant category including what you can use the grant for and the criteria used by the Indigenous Grants Advisory Committee to assess your application.
**Please note this round covers a six month funding period for programming from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016.**
1. What's the objective of Indigenous Program grants?
To assist the ongoing development of Indigenous community broadcasting across Australia through grants to support the production of regular Indigenous programs on non-Indigenous licensed community radio stations which serve a defined local Indigenous community.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
You can apply for all categories of grant if you are:
- an Indigenous broadcasting group or individual producing weekly programs on a non-Indigenous licensed community radio station which is currently:
- incorporated as a not for profit organisation or
- unincorporated but have reached an agreement with a local incorporated not for profit Indigenous organisation or non-Indigenous licensed community radio station (auspicing organisation) to receive and report on grant funds on the broadcasting group's behalf (refer to section 3 below - What is an auspicing organisation).
Grants are not available to stations broadcasting under a narrowcast licence. A station with a temporary licence must have been on air for at least two years cumulatively prior to applying.
3. What is an auspicing organisation?
The CBF prefers to distribute Indigenous Program grant funding to incorporated Indigenous media organisations. However, in some instances a grant may be paid to an incorporated Indigenous organisation or non-Indigenous licensed community radio station on behalf of an unincorporated Indigenous broadcasting group/individual through an auspicing arrangement.
The auspicing organisation has responsibility for:
- accepting the CBF grant on behalf of the unincorporated broadcast group/individual
- paying grant monies to the unincorporated broadcast group/individual in accordance with the grant conditions
- monitoring the use of the grant funds to ensure compliance with the purpose for which the grant was provided
- providing the unincorporated broadcast group/individual with an itemised financial statement at the end of the funding period which clearly identifies the grant funds and how they were spent
- arranging a meeting between the unincorporated Indigenous broadcast group/individual and the auspicing organisation once per funding period and providing a copy of the minutes to the CBF
- reporting to the CBF as per the Foundation's grant reporting requirements.
The unincorporated broadcast group/individual has responsibility for:
- producing the program for regular broadcast
- ensuring that the contents of the CBF funded program meet the CBF's Indigenous Program grant guidelines
In order to assist auspicing organisations to provide satisfactory minutes of the consultation meeting, the CBF has prepared proforma minutes available on Page 4 Minutes of consultation. Approval of a grant will be subject to a clearly documented consultation process and clearly stated decisions.
4. What makes a program eligible for funding?
To be eligible for funding your program must meet the following conditions:
- it is presented by an Indigenous person or group
- it must present a local Indigenous perspective
- it presents social, cultural and political issues relevant to the needs of the community of interest
- it is produced locally for local broadcast on a licensed community radio station between 6 a.m. and midnight
- it is broadcast on a regular basis (i.e. at least weekly)
and include:
- a high level of Indigenous content (recommended minimum of 80% of the total program)
- an acceptable level of local spoken word content (recommended minimum of 25% of total program time)
- if the program contains music content, a large proportion should be Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music (recommended minimum of 75% of all music)
Local spoken word content could include local community information, news, local cultural events and activities, community programmes and initiatives, interviews with local community people, etc. Program material that is not sourced locally should reflect current Indigenous issues relevant to the local community.
Programs are encouraged to utilise services provided by the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) at http://www.amrap.com.au/services.html - an excellent resource for Indigenous music.
CBF Indigenous Program grants support Indigenous programs on non-Indigenous stations in many locations where there is no dedicated local Indigenous radio service. As a result the local Indigenous community relies heavily on these programs to obtain local community information relevant to the local Indigenous community. CBF funded Indigenous programs should reflect this.
Supplementary program material that has not been produced locally and is more than twenty minutes in length (e.g. Deadly Sounds, Awaye, NIRS) is not eligible for funding.
The CBF may request that you provide a full copy of your program at the time of application or at any time.
5. How does the funding work?
The funding is based on an hourly rate. That is a rate per hour is set based on the level of funding available and the total number of eligible programs over the funding period. All hours are funded at the same rate.
Please note that the hourly rate may change (up or down) depending on the total number of eligible hours applied for by all applicants.
- If you are broadcasting on a non-Indigenous long term licensed community radio station - you can apply for up to 10 hours per week per station or applicant organisation
- If you are broadcasting on a temporary licensed community radio station (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) - you can apply for up to 2 hours per week
Based on the last round's hourly rate, funding for a six month period would be approximately:
- For 1 hour of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $2,600
- For 2 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $5,200
- For 3 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $7,800
- For 4 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $10,400
- For 5 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $13,000
- For 7 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $18,200
- For 10 hours of programming x $100 x 26 weeks - a grant of $26,000
Use of the last round's rate is indicative only.
Previous hourly rates paid have been:
- 2010 - $100
- 2011 - $120
- 2012 - $80
- 2013 - $100
6. What can you use the grant for?
You can use the grant for costs relating directly to program production.
Program costs may include:
- production materials such as CDs, USB flash drives or other audio media that could contribute to building a music library
- music CDs, legally downloaded music or other audio media (with an emphasis on Australian Indigenous music - minimum 75% of all music purchased)
- research and reference costs such as newspapers, reference books, telephone and internet access charges
- producer/presenter/researcher fees (which must not exceed 75% of the grant)
- minor program production related equipment such as microphones, headphones, audio editing software (which must not exceed 20% of the grant)
- minor program related travel (which must not exceed 10% of the grant)
- non-accredited program skills development (which must not exceed 10% of the grant)
- station airtime/access fees (provided that the unincorporated Indigenous broadcast group agrees to the rate and the rate is no higher than the rate charged for all other broadcasters at the station. This must not exceed 10% of the grant)
- costs associated with grant administration claimed by an auspicing organisation (which must not exceed 10% of the grant)
- Auspicing organisations may claim no more than 20% of the grant in respect of the combined costs for airtime/access fees and grant administration
7. What can't you use the grant for?
- Office equipment (such as faxes, photocopiers and computer equipment for administration)
- Operational costs of the auspicing organisation
- Accredited training
- Major capital equipment
8. What does the Grants Advisory Committee look at when assessing your application?
Indigenous program grants are non-competitive. Applications that meet the following assessment criteria will be funded:
- Eligible applicant - you are eligible to apply for an Indigenous Program grant
- Eligible programs - your programs are eligible for funding as defined in the guidelines below "What makes a program eligible?"
- Objective - the programs contribute to the ongoing development of Indigenous community broadcasting across Australia
- Outcomes - you can demonstrate how your program serves the local Indigenous community
- Completeness - the information you have provided including attachments listed on the application form is sufficient for the Committee to assess your application
- Previous reporting - you have met all reporting requirements for previous CBF grants
9. What should you include in the application?
- Minutes of a consultation meeting between auspicing stations/organisations and Indigenous broadcast groups, using the downloadable Proforma Minutes on Page 4 Minutes of consultation.
- A current station, service or network program guide highlighting the program/s that the grant is intended to assist
- Quote for minor broadcast related equipment (if applicable)
- If the program group has not previously been funded you must complete Page 6 New Indigenous Program/s and attach a sample copy (mp3 or CD) of the program.
If you are applying for the first time, please contact the Grants Administrator to discuss your application and supporting documents you may be required to provide.
