1. Content Grants
Content Grants increase and diversify the voices heard in Australian media by supporting the creation of compelling content. This portion of the CBF content grants funding is available to support ongoing ethnic, Indigenous and RPH programs
- Increase community participation and engagement in community media that is inclusive and accessible to all
- Amplify and reflect the voices, cultures and languages of Australia’s diverse communities
- Build audiences by supporting creativity, excellence and innovation in community media content production
- Expand partnerships to explore new forms of storytelling across topics and platforms
2. Specialist Radio Programming Grants
Stations producing content that meets the needs of particular communities may be eligible for dedicated Specialist Radio Programming Content grants. This funding is intended to encourage stations to incorporate:
- RPH programs to serve people with a print disability
- Ethnic programs to serve a defined local ethnic community
- First Nations Australian programs.
3. Development & Operations Grants
Development & Operations grants support community media organisations to be healthy, resilient and robust. In turn this will help create a stronger society based on greater participation, engagement and cohesion.
The objectives of Development & Operations grants are to support community media organisations to:
- Strengthen governance policies and practices that support longer term thinking
- Enhance capacity and capability that drives sustainability
- Increase resilience through preparations for unexpected change
- Deepen engagement with identified communities
- Expand partnerships to maximise opportunities
- Develop and embed inclusive and accessible practices
4. Quick Response Grants
Quick Response grants are available to support community media organisations experiencing emergencies that risk discontinued transmission or operations, or who have been provided with a time-limited opportunity.
To apply for this grant, you will need to provide evidence that this situation could not have been reasonably anticipated prior to the most recent CBF grant round, cannot wait until the next round and cannot be covered by your organisation’s reserves.
This could include for the following:
Emergencies
- Replacing essential equipment and related expenses to restore basic transmission following an unforeseen event such as flood, bushfire, lightning, theft or drought
- Replacing essential operational equipment and related expenses not able to be reasonably anticipated
- Unexpected changes at your studio or transmission site such as a sudden need to relocate
- A financial loan while an insurance claim is being processed and/or funds are raised
Opportunities
- A matched funding opportunity for a project
- Other costs associated with a time-limited opportunity
Be sure to check out the full eligibility criteria before commencing an application for the Quick Response Grants, as you MUST answer YES to ALL the criteria questions!
5. Sector Investment Grants
Sector Investment grants support sector coordination activities for sector organisations and sector-wide development projects. These are the organisations and initiatives that require high-level investment, and strategic analysis and assessment to produce maximum sector benefit.
This funding enables sector organisations to provide strong, effective and collaborative support of Australia’s community broadcasters. They also fund sector wide development initiatives that secure sector capability and capacity.
Apply for Content, Specialist Radio Programming and Development & Operations Grants – Round 1 2025/26
Applications close 2:00pm AEDT, March 4, 2025.
You can apply under multiple streams, but BEFORE commencing your application(s) be sure to read the individual guidelines for EACH STREAM, along with the FAQs that covers all the streams, plus also read the “Top 10 Grant Application Tips” article.
Also, check out the “Review the successful grants” section under each stream for ideas on potential projects you could apply for funding.
apply for content, specialist radio programming and development & operations – round 1 2025/26 »