Funds are available to support the development, production and distribution of new radio content by Australian community broadcasting stations.
Consideration of Content Development grants is the responsibility of the General Grants Advisory Committee (GGAC). The final funding decision will be made at the CBF Board's August meeting.
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.
CBF Grants Administrator:
Claire Stuchbery
Telephone: (03) 8341 5900
Email: cstuchbery@cbf.com.au
For further information see:
General information for all applicants
SmartyGrants Guide for Applicants
*** THIS GRANT ROUND IS NOW CLOSED ***
See grant guidelines for previous round below.
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 General Grants Advisory Committee to assess your application.
1. What is the objective of the Content Development grant category?
To support the development, production and distribution of new radio content by Australian community broadcasting stations.
New radio content is content that has never been broadcast before. Radio doesn’t end with the broadcast on a terrestrial service. You should consider other creative components to complement your program.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
You can apply for a Content Development – Salary grant if you are:
Community broadcasting sector organisations provide services and resources for the sector. A community broadcaster sector organisation is expected to demonstrate a minimum cash contribution of 50% from the organisation or partner organisation.
A station with a temporary license must have been on air for at least two years cumulatively prior to applying.
3. How much can you apply for?
An amount up to $30,000 per grant may be applied for.
If a position to continue beyond the life of this grant is proposed, stations must demonstrate how they plan to sustain the position beyond the funding period.
If a salary subsidy is proposed, stations are required to demonstrate how they will make up the remaining funds for the salary. Applicants for permanent part-time or casual positions are acceptable and are not required to provide matching funds.
For more information on a relevant award wage see the Broadcasting and Recorded Entertainment Award 2010.
Stations can apply as many times as they like, however a maximum of 5 Content Development applications will be funded across categories. Exemptions apply where a consortium of 3 or more stations apply for a program to the benefit of other stations. We aim to support as many stations across the sector as possible.
4. What are the priorities in this grant category?
Each priority is not required to be met but applications that do address one or more priority area will be looked upon more favourably.
We will prioritise applications which:
5. What can you use the grant for?
Content-related salaries for new or existing positions. These positions must be dedicated to overseeing content production and distribution, not general administration or management at the station. Such positions must be responsible for the coordination of a range of programs at a station, rather than specific to one program only.
Salaries can be for existing positions, however such applications must demonstrate how the funding will lead to new content outcomes for the station and extend the current role.
Examples might include:
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 |
40% | 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 |
20% | 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. |
20% | 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?