Community Broadcasting Grants

Applications for our Round 1  2026/27 Content, Specialist Radio Programming and Development & Operations grants open 12 January 2026 and close 3 March 2026 at 2.00pm (AEST).

Projects meeting the eligibility criteria and conditions of our Quick Response grants are welcome at any time.   For more information, see Quick Response grants below.

Content Grants

Content Grants increase and diversify the voices heard in Australian media by supporting the creation of compelling content.

Our guiding principles, approach and goals relating to content grants are outlined in our Supporting Content Framework.

This year we are particularly looking to:

• 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

Content grants are distributed twice per year, with the greater portion allocated in Round 1.

Content grants include funds specifically dedicated to Specialist Radio Programming. This portion of our content grants funding is available to support ongoing ethnic, Indigenous and RPH programs. For applicants looking to apply for Specialist Radio Programming funds, you must complete a separate grant application specifically requesting this funding.

Developing dynamic content enhances community media in Australia. Beyond their listening and viewing audiences, producers are often recognised for their achievements in awards. For inspiration of Content projects, view Our Stories.

How to apply

When applications are open, submit your application online.

Before you start, please review our grant guidelines and preview the application form*. Grant guidelines can be viewed on the second page of the application form.

Please also view our Frequently Asked Questions which outline everything you need to know about applying for our Content grants.

Specialist 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.

These grants are distributed twice per year, with the greater portion allocated in Round 1.

How to apply

Our grant guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions detail everything you need to know about Specialist Radio Programming grants, including the need for stations to consult with broadcasters.

When applications are open, submit your application online. Before you start, please review our grant guidelines and preview the application form*. Grant guidelines can be viewed on the second page of the application form.

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

Grants for Development & Operations are distributed twice per year, with the greater portion allocated in Round 1.

How to apply

When applications are open, submit your application online.

Before you start, please review our grant guidelines and preview the application form*. Grant guidelines can be viewed on the second page of the application form.

Please also view our Frequently Asked Questions which outline everything you need to know about applying for our Development & Operations grants.

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

Grants will be considered outside the normal grant rounds – you will normally receive advice about the outcome of your application within one week.

Eligibility

To be considered eligible for a Quick Response grant, you will need to answer yes to the following questions:

• Has this emergency/opportunity arisen unexpectedly? That is, that it could not have been reasonably anticipated during a previous funding round and cannot wait for the next funding round.
• Can you provide evidence of the emergency/opportunity in your application? Such as:
  o Photos of equipment needing replacing
  o Documentation from ACMA, local council, landlord, owners corporation, utility company, real estate agency
  o Insurance documentation
  o Evidence of support from funding partners
  o Hyperlinks or screenshots of the unique equipment sale
  o Financial statements demonstrating costs cannot be met from organisation reserves
• Can you provide the following information required within the grant application?
  o Your latest Annual Report with financial statements, even if you have supplied this information to the CBF previously
  o Technical data/information from a qualified person detailing the nature of the issue(s) and how to remedy it
  o A competitive quote for any equipment purchases over $2,000
  o A clear and detailed project budget
  o Contact information for your organisation and a key individual involved in the proposal
  o Evidence or statement that the costs cannot be covered by insurance

Funding conditions

Amount we may fund:

• Emergencies:  100% of the financial cost of the project
• Opportunities: maximum of 50% towards the total financial cost of the project
• Loans will need to be fully repaid within the agreed time-frame (even if insurance does not cover the full amount).

How to apply

If you believe your project meets the Quick Response grant eligibility and funding conditions, the next step is to discuss your project with a CBF Grants Support Team member that looks after your area. If eligible, you will be provided with a link to our online grant application.

Sector Investment Grants

Our 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.

How to apply
Applications are by direct invitation from CBF to Australia’s community broadcasting sector organisations.