Apply for Specialist Radio Programming Grants (Australia)

It assists with the development, production and broadcast costs of specialist programming content to meet the needs of particular communities.

Funding is available for Specialist Radio Programming:

• First Nations Australians programs, in accordance with the specific conditions.
• Radio reading (formerly RPH) programs to serve people with a print disability, in accordance with the specific conditions.
• Ethnic programs to serve a defined local ethnic community, in accordance with the specific conditions.

Funding Information

• There is no set limit on the total amount you can request for Specialist Radio Programming support; however, overall funding is limited. The CBF have recommended what they consider to be a reasonable request for particular items per program and per station. If your programs have a greater need for support than what is recommended, you can apply for more funding but you must provide an explanation.
• For total grants, across all CBF grant programs, paid over $80,000 in a financial year, you will need to provide an Auditor’s Financial Certificate (AFC) declaring that grant funds have been expended in accordance with the terms of your grant agreement. They will advise you if this is necessary at the time.

Who can apply?

• Eligible organisations include:
  • a community radio station
  • a Remote Indigenous Media Organisation or Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Service.
  • incorporated not-for-profit organisations auspicing applications for program groups broadcast on a community radio station.
• The following organisations or individuals are not eligible to apply:
  • applicants seeking support for TV content. You should apply for programming support using the Content Grants form.
  • RPH licensed stations. RPH stations may apply for funding support through Content grants and Development & Operations grants.
  • a community radio station broadcasting radio reading programs within the broadcast ‘footprint’ of an existing radio reading (RPH) service, unless that service does not broadcast any local content.

Conditions

• All specialist programs must:
  • be on air by the start of the upcoming funding period (1 December 2023) or in development to be on air within the funding period (Development 2023 – June 2024).
  • be produced locally – programs originating elsewhere for local re-broadcast are not eligible.
  • be broadcast regularly, at least fortnightly between 6am–1am (i.e. not overnight) for the entire funding period.
  • be at least 30 minutes long, with a minimum of 80% specialist programming material including culturally relevant music.
  • have a minimum of 40% of the program which must be spoken word content.
  • have a minimum of 40% culturally relevant music content broadcast live or recorded live by the station for broadcast.
  • include social, cultural or political issues of importance to the relevant community, and news and information relevant to cultural and language maintenance, with an emphasis on local perspectives.

For more information, visit Community Broadcasting Foundation.