Open grants and requests for proposals

All Archived Television Grants

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2013

Program Challenge Fund

The Program Challenge Fund was created to support high-profile, primetime, limited series for the national public television schedule. The Program Challenge Fund is jointly administered by CPB and PBS, which make funding decisions based on mutually established programming goals and objectives.

Local Journalism Centers

CPB seeks to enhance the capacity of public radio and television stations to create high quality original journalism by supporting the establishment of multimedia reporting collaborations or Local Journalism Centers (LJCs) among small groups of stations. CPB is offering grants to qualified groups of three or more stations willing to form LJCs.

Program Challenge Fund

The Program Challenge Fund was created to support high-profile, primetime, limited series for the national public television schedule. The Program Challenge Fund is jointly administered by CPB and PBS, which make funding decisions based on mutually established programming goals and objectives.

2012

Ready To Learn Transmedia Demonstration Stations -- Cohort #1 Sustainability Awards

In October 2011, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ("CPB") awarded funding to 11 Demonstration Stations ("Cohort #1") to implement Ready To Learn ("RTL") transmedia content in local educational settings to improve the math and literacy skills of children ages two to eight from low-income families ("target children"), as well as provide support to their families and educators. CPB seeks proposals from those 11 Demonstration Stations to:

  • continue collaborations with local educational partners and sites from the original project, while expanding the project to include at least one additional partner and site;
  • continue working with some of the children who participated in the original project, while engaging additional children from the target children in RTL activities;
  • incorporate best practices of transmedia implementation in expanded learning settings;
  • pilot test and provide feedback on new RTL resources developed by the RTL Transmedia Content Developer, upon request;
  • support a second cohort of RTL Demonstration Stations by participating in webinars, conference calls, and electronic communications, as requested by CPB; and,
  • strengthen the Ready To Learn initiative by promoting local project efforts, engaging station and community leaders, and developing a sustainability plan for RTL activities beyond the contract period.

Ready To Learn Transmedia Demonstration Stations – Cohort #2

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting ("CPB") is seeking proposals from public media organizations to serve as Demonstration sites for the new Ready To Learn initiative called Expanded Learning Through Transmedia Content, under the U.S. Department of Education Ready To Learn grant (No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A). CPB expects to fund up to five projects.

CPB Emergency Alert and Communication Grants

In order to help public television and radio stations successfully engage with their local community's public safety authorities to provide essential alert and communications services during emergencies, CPB is offering Emergency Alert and Communication (EAC) Grants.

2011

TV CSG Diversity Eligibility Training Toolkit

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is requesting proposals from diversity, inclusion, professional and board development consultants in the development of a station-focused Television Community Service Grant (CSG) Diversity Eligibility Training Toolkit.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 17

CPB has determined that funds should be allocated in ways that will facilitate the delivery of digital content, enable multi-platform content distribution and provide other advanced digital services.

American Archive Preservation Selection Advisors

CPB seeks individuals and/or organizations to serve as Preservation Selection Advisors to the American Archive Content Inventory Project. These Advisors will be responsible for working collaboratively, using established criteria and their own expertise, to recommend material from the American Archive inventory for digitization.

Evaluation of CPB-funded Local Journalism Centers

CPB seeks an individual or organization to evaluate seven CPB-funded Local Journalism Centers.

Mobile/Handheld Digital Television Program

This program will assist CPB-qualified public television stations to acquire and install equipment for mobile delivery of digital content and other advanced mobile digital services.

Ready To Learn Transmedia Demonstration and Mentor Stations

CPB intends to fund public television stations to serve as either Demonstration or Mentor sites for the new Ready To Learn initiative called Expanded Learning Through Transmedia Content, under the U.S. Department of Education Ready To Learn grant (No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A).

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 16

CPB will be accepting applications for Round 16 DDF grants from CSG-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees for the projects. Stations should consider that this may be the last opportunity to receive DDF funding.

Digitization Project Contractor

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting seeks a vendor to facilitate the digitization of audio and video content for the American Archive initiative. The Project is expected to begin around July 1, 2011 and is anticipated to end around December 31, 2012.

Governance Consultant for Los Angeles Consortium

CPB announces a Request for Proposals for an organizational and governance consultant. The consultant or consulting firm will assist a group of up to three public television stations in the Los Angeles Market to elaborate and recommend the consortium's governance structure, encompassing key strategic areas and resulting in the establishment of a legal operational entity.

American Archive Content Inventory Project SWAT (Saving What America Treasures) Team Initiative Round II

The objective of this RFP is to solicit proposals for individuals and/or organizations to be available as SWAT (Saving What America Treasures) Teams for the American Archive Content Inventory Project (CIP). These SWAT Teams will conduct training and on-site content inventories at public media archives nationwide.

Television Engineering Consulting Services (2011)

CPB seeks television technical and engineering consulting services to CPB's Media Technologies office and the Digital Television and Mobile DTV Grant Programs.

Dropout Awareness and Youth Engagement Initiative Public Media Community Hubs

In response to the nation's dropout crisis, CPB is soliciting proposals from public television stations in high-need communities to become Public Media Community Hubs.

American Archive Content Inventory Project SWAT (Saving What America Treasures) Team Initiative

Funding for individuals and/or organizations to be available as SWAT (Saving What America Treasures) Teams for the American Archive Content Inventory Project. These SWAT Teams will conduct training and on-site content inventories at public media archives nationwide.

Organizational Consultant for Station Collaboration in Los Angeles

CPB seeks a Consultant to work with the public television stations in Los Angeles to develop and implement an organizational and governance structure for a station consortium, and to provide recommendations on a management structure and potential funding models for the consortium.

2010

Dropout Awareness and Youth Engagement Initiative Manager

In close consultation with CPB, the Initiative Manager will oversee, coordinate and support the integrated components of the initiative which include national and local on-air and online content, interactive educational curricula, and on-the-ground community engagement.

ATSC Mobile/Handheld Digital Television Grant Program

The goal of this grant program is to assist CPB qualified public television stations to develop and install an end-to-end Mobile DTV infrastructure for delivery of Mobile DTV content.

Strategic Project Consultation for Social Media Engagement Support to Public Broadcasting Stations

CPB seeks to assist public broadcasting stations in increasing their use of social media as part of a public service and communications strategy that reflects and adapts to the local audience.

American History and Civics Initiative Phase II Evaluation

CPB is requesting proposals from a person or firm to conduct an evaluation of Phase II -- Implementation of the American History and Civics Initiative for middle and high school students and their teachers.

American Archive Legal Consultant

CPB seeks proposals from individuals and organizations in the intellectual property community to assist in the publication of a "White Paper" that will provide an operational legal framework for the distribution of audio and visual assets resident in the nation's public media archives.

Professional Development Grants

For the 2010 fiscal year, CPB will be providing travel grants for professional development to qualified small public television stations (defined by an NFFS of $2M or less). These grants will enable small stations to continue to receive the training and development needed to enhance their local services. CPB will give priority to stations sending minorities, women and emerging leaders from within their organizations.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 15

CPB will be accepting applications for Round 15 DDF grants from CPB-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees for the following Categories. Stations should consider that this may be the last opportunity to receive DDF funding.

CPB Workforce Diversity Associates Program

CPB is initiating this Request for Proposals to encourage and solicit stations and content developers interested in participating in a workforce diversification program, geared towards targeted employment opportunities, for a diverse group of media professionals.

Strengthening Local Journalism, Round Two

This Request for Proposals calls for the creation of Local Journalism Centers in the South and the Northwest United States.

Grow the Audience: A Census of Journalists in Public Radio and Television

As one of many steps CPB is taking to build the journalistic capacity of public radio and television stations, CPB is seeking an organization or individual ("Service Provider") to undertake a count of the number of journalists currently working within public broadcasting.

My Source Impact Communication Grants

Funding to empower public television and radio stations to communicate their community impact to on a local, regional, and statewide level to key decision makers, community leader and stakeholders.

2010 CPB/PBS Producers Academy Scholarship

Up to twenty-five (25) scholarships will be offered to station-based and independent producers for an intensive seven-day, hands-on training seminar at WGBH in Boston, June 19 through June 25, 2010.

Consulting Services Relating to Digital Television, Mobile DTV, and CPB Digital Distribution

CPB seeks television technical and engineering consulting services for the Digital Distribution Fund ("DDF") Grants Program administered by the Media Technologies department at CPB.

2009

Research Study to Measure Impact of Primetime Program Scheduling Strategy

CPB is interested in measuring the impact of the Program Challenge Fund tent pole program scheduling strategy. To that end, CPB will order and analyze available Nielsen NSI ratings data. CPB is now seeking proposals for a research study (or studies) designed to add insight beyond the Nielsen data with respect to both the tent pole program scheduling strategy as well as the awareness, attitudes, and usage of a segment of the target audience (i.e. Hispanic television viewers).

Public Media Barcamp Attendee Support

CPB seeks a vendor to manage a project to assist up to 10 public broadcasting stations in attending the Public Media Barcamp on October 17-18, 2009 in Washington, DC, and then assist those stations in replicating the Barcamp experience in their own communities.

Grow the Audience: Strengthening Local Journalism

This Request for Proposals seeks proposals from groups of 3-6 stations willing to form multi-platform reporting Local Journalism Centers around a single topic or issue that will result in an elevated quality and quantity of journalism. The Local Journalism Centers should create compelling content and community engagement opportunities that include audio, video, text, photos, blogs, social networking, dynamic syndication, and mobile applications.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 14

CPB will be accepting applications for Round 14 DDF grants from CPB-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees for Priority One: Digital Television Transmission Facilities and Priority Two: Digital Master Control Services projects.

Ready To Learn Statewide Planning Agreements

CPB Ready To Learn Statewide Planning Agreements will provide funding to public broadcasting stations to work in collaboration with state education agencies to assess, align, and integrate research-tested and curriculum-based RTL products and services into early childhood education. This funding opportunity will enable a partnership between Stations and State Education Agencies to design, pilot and execute an initial plan for integrating RTL digital media reading resources into Pre-K through second grade classrooms, and in other learning environments, (e.g., formal and informal child care settings; before and after school programs, etc.). The RTL products and services will be made available to implement throughout the state during the one-year agreement cycle.

STEM Digital Media Resources for Learning Production Grants

The CPB STEM Digital Media Resources for Learning Production Grants will provide grant funding to enable public broadcasting stations to develop, produce and evaluate Digital Media Resources which may include audio, video, interactives, animations, documents, games, simulations and images. Funds are available for up to 12 grants of $75,000-$125,000. Grants will create content to support the Middle School (Grades 4-8) Earth Sciences with an emphasis on Climate.

Economy Response Grant Program

CPB has created the Economy Response Grant program in response to the widespread economic downturn, and is open to all CPB-qualified public radio and television stations. The program seeks to support stations' efforts to help their communities through initiatives that establish collaboration with community partners and that raise awareness of the impact the current economic crisis is having on the station's community.

Public Media Innovation Fund Round 4

The Public Media Innovation Fund Round Four is seeking to make investments in a small number of educationally-oriented projects that can support public broadcasting's role to increase economic and financial literacy.

Engaging Communities on the Economy

The Engaging Communities on the Economy Grants may be used by stations to convene civic leaders, community groups and citizens in productive dialogue - in person, on-air or online - addressing regional and local economic issues. Grants may be used to plan or conduct collaborative projects in response to identified community needs related to the financial crisis (e.g., joblessness, bankruptcies, credit card debt).

2009 CPB/PBS Producers Workshop Scholarship

CPB/PBS Producers Academy is offering a "scholarship" opportunity to 20 individuals for a Producers Workshop to be held at WGBH Boston, Saturday, June 20 through Friday, June 26, 2009.

2008

My Source Community Impact Awards

The My Source Community Impact Awards are designed to recognize and showcase examples of local public broadcasting's connection to community. CPB will honor awardees at the 2009 National Leaders Meeting.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 12b

DDF funding for Round 12b projects will assist stations in the purchase and installation of digital transmission equipment necessary to (1) complete construction of digital television transmission facilities as required by FCC Construction Permits that expire on February 17, 2009, and/or (2) complete DTV transmission facility changes, whether or not the project completion target coincides with the February 17, 2009 analog shutoff.

Scan of Current Digital New Media Activities Within Public Broadcasting

CPB seeks an objective scan of public broadcasting's existing activities in terms of digital new media content and use of related technologies, in order to help determine how and to what extent the public broadcasting organizations are using new media tools to provide services to the general public and to teachers and students in formal education.

STEM Community Engagement Pilot

In response to the pressing national need for student improvement in Science and Math subjects, KETC, on behalf of CPB, is pleased to release this Request for Proposals for public broadcasting stations to take part in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Community Engagement Pilot. Note: Responses to this RFP are to be sent to the STEM Initiative Manager, KETC. CPB's posting of KETC's RFP does not constitute a commitment, express or implied, by CPB to fund proposals under consideration.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 12

CPB established the Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) to award grants to CPB-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees to assist stations in transitioning to digital transmission.

Public Media Innovation Fund Round 3

Round Three of the Public Media Innovation Fund will focus on new media sustainability by distributing as much as $200,000 in grants of up to $50,000.

American Archive Executive Summary Booklet

Developing a communication that includes an executive summary of the first phase of the American Archive and an expectation about our next steps, which can be distributed to the public broadcasting system, other key stakeholders, and the general public.

Station-Based Election Programming Initiative

The Station-Based Election Programming Initiative (SEPI) provides grant funding to enable local public broadcasting stations to create television programs and multi-platform media content about 2008 election issues.

Local Service Initiative Round 3

The Local Service Initiative is designed to provide seed money to develop new or significantly enhance current public service initiatives aligned with a public television station's strategic plan. The amount of each grant will not be greater than $200,000.

2008 CPB/PBS Producers Academy Scholarship

Up to twenty scholarships will be offered to station-based and independent producers for an intensive seven-day, hands-on training seminar at WGBH in Boston, June 21 - June 27, 2008.

Manager of Station-Based Election Programming Initiative

CPB requests proposals from qualified organizations to manage the Station-Based Election Programming Initiative.

WETA News Academy 2008

WETA News Academy 2008 is an intensive, five day residential course designed to offer applicants experience in the practical and technical capabilities of contemporary local news gathering and reporting, both on TV and online.

CPB Scholars Work-Study Scholarship Program

CPB recognizes the importance of attracting talent to public broadcasting and cultivating the range of voices, backgrounds, cultures, and ideas within the industry. Accordingly, CPB has developed a work/study scholarship program in partnership with the Emma Bowen Foundation, an organization that facilitates minority student placements within the media industry.

Small Station Statewide Collaboration Initiative

The Small Station Statewide Collaboration Initiative (SSSCI) is a competitive grant program that offers financial assistance to facilitate the creation of collaborative relationships through statewide or regional associations among public television stations that share common cause and collaborative interest in serving a broader definition of community that extends beyond their coverage areas.

2007

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 11

CPB established the Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) to award grants to CPB-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees to assist stations in transitioning to digital transmission. DDF Round 11 is funded through a special federal $29.7 million FY07 CPB appropriation for transition to digital technology.

Public Media Innovation Fund Round 2

With the proliferation of new distribution platforms, the public broadcasting system is able to reach the American public in ways not before possible. In order to help stations seize these new opportunities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has established a Public Media Innovation grant program (PMI) to support small-scale experimentation.

Public Awareness Initiative Pilot Program

Stations chosen to participate will have the opportunity to help shape the Public Awareness Initiative (PAI) and will receive significant professional support, including assistance with implementation ideas and strategy from Powell Tate Weber Shandwick Public Affairs (PTWS).

CPB Nielsen Digital Encoders Program

The reimbursement program is intended to assist stations in the purchases of the digital Nielsen encoders to ensure the accurate measurement of PBS national and local station viewership. The program provides a 60/40 CPB/station split to encourage stations to purchase the digital Nielsen encoders. The program begins on January 15th, 2007. Encoder purchases made between January 1, 2006 and January 15th, 2007 are also eligible.

Election 2008 Initiative

CPB seeks to fund a public media demonstration project focusing on the 2008 elections. The successful project will be national in scope and will embrace cross platform approaches to provide content, tools and interactive experiences that will result in a more informed, engaged electorate.

Local Service Initiative Round 2

The Local Service Initiative Matching Grant Program is designed to provide seed money to develop new or significantly enhance current public service initiatives aligned with a station's strategic plan. The LSI is a multi-year matching grant program with subsequent rounds to be announced.

Public Media Innovation Fund Round 1

The Public Media Innovation Fund provides between $5,000 and $20,000 to stations to support small-scale experimentation in new distribution platforms.

Strategic Planning Initiative

The Strategic Planning Initiative will provide funds, based on application to a grant program, to CPB-qualified public television Stations for developing or revising their strategic plans.

2007 CPB/PBS Producers' Academy

Awards scholarships for an intensive seven-day, hands-on training seminar at WGBH in Boston.

  • Closed: March 30, 2007
  • Focus:

Local Service Initiative Round 1

The Local Service Initiative Matching Grant Program is designed to provide seed money to develop new or significantly enhance current public service initiatives aligned with a station's strategic plan. The LSI is a multi-year matching grant program with subsequent rounds to be announced.

Community Engagement Initiative

The goal of this request for proposals is to invite a representative group of public broadcasting stations to take part in the Community Engagement Initiative, a two-year initiative representing a collaboration between the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, to deepen and expand station efforts at civic engagement.

2006

2007 CPB/Emma Bowen Foundation Studentship Grants

CPB recognizes the importance of attracting talent to public broadcasting and cultivating the range of voices, backgrounds, cultures, and ideas within the industry. Accordingly, CPB has developed two work/study scholarship programs (a three year program that engages students year-round and a 5 year summer-only program) through the Emma Bowen Foundation, an organization that facilitates minority student placements within the media industry.

Small Station Strategic Planning Initiative

This initiative provides CPB-qualified public television stations with revenues under $2.0 million the funds to hire consultants from a list provided by CPB. The consultants will work with the station and its key stakeholders to develop a three year strategic plan and a one year action plan. The Consultants will use a planning template in the delivery of strategic planning services to Stations.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 10

Pursuant to the requirement that all analog television stations cease operations in February 17, 2009, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) commissioned a research project to determine the impact of the pending FCC Final DTV Table of Allotments on costs and requirements for CPB-qualified non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees. This research informed the Digital Television Consultation Panel which recommended DDF Round 10 to assist NCE licensees in the costs of Rechannelization.

AFI-CPB Digital Training

Awards cash and team participation in a digital R&D project and travel vouchers to selected AFI Digital Content Lab training events.

Small Station Strategic Planning Initiative

This initiative provides CPB-qualified public television stations with revenues under $2.0 million the funds to hire consultants from a list provided by CPB. The consultants will work with the station and its key stakeholders to develop a three year strategic plan and a one year action plan. The Consultants will use a planning template in the delivery of strategic planning services to Stations.

Ready To Lead in Literacy Grant Administrator

The selected contractor will be responsible for the day-to-day management and fiscal oversight of the Ready to Lead in Literacy Grant Program involving approximately 123 public television stations for years two and three of the Grant Program.

Digital Distribution Fund (DDF) Round 09

CPB will be accepting applications for Digital Distribution Fund grants from CPB-qualified, non-commercial educational (NCE) television licensees for digital television transmission equipment.

Local Service Grant Program Administrator

The Local Service Grant Program Administrator will be responsible for the design, management and oversight of the Local Service Grant Project program, a large-scale, multi-year grant program for public television stations.

Small Station Fund: Partnerships for Impact

This competitive grant program offers financial assistance to facilitate the creation of identified and sustainable collaborative relationships among public broadcast stations and between small public stations and other community-based public service organizations.

2006 CPB/PBS Producers' Academy

Awards scholarships for an intensive seven-day, hands-on training seminar at WGBH in Boston.

Small Station Fund: Partnerships for Impact

This competitive grant program offers financial assistance to facilitate the creation of identified and sustainable collaborative relationships among public broadcast stations and between small public stations and other community-based public service organizations.

2006 CPB/Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship Grant Program

Grants of up to $2,000 per internship salary per summer will be awarded on a 50% station matching basis.

Partnership for a Nation of Learners Community Collaboration Grant

Funds collaboration and shared resources that enable partners to meet clearly defined needs for one or more audience segments within their local communities.

Major Giving Initiative: Board Effectiveness Project

Funds activities to evaluate and improve station board performance.

2005

American History and Civics Initiative

Supports new, groundbreaking media projects that measurably improve the learning of American history and enhance civic participation among middle and high school students.

Ready To Lead in Literacy

This 3-year, competitive funding initiative will provide funds as well as capacity-building activities for up to 100 stations that are currently Ready To Learn stations.

2005 CPB/Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship Grant Program

Grants of up to $2,000 per internship salary per summer will be awarded on a 50% station matching basis.

2005 CPB/PBS Producers Academy

Each scholarship will include the cost of the workshop, and reasonable expenses for airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and limited ground transportation.

Public Television Major Giving Initiative Consulting Services

Funds onsite consulting to assist stations in the implementation of their development plan.

Public Television Major Giving Initiative Consulting Services Request for Qualifications

The consulting services sought by this RFQ and a subsequent request for proposals are intended to assist stations with organizational issues that may impede the implementation of a major giving program and the establishment of a culture of philanthropy.

2004

America at a Crossroads

Funds programs that examine and explain where we are and where we're going as a nation -- programs that elevate, enlighten, entertain, and, most importantly, rise above the minutiae of the moment and see the big picture.

Greenhouse Fund

The Greenhouse Fund competitively awards grants for industry training and professional development projects for public television professionals and independent producers.

  • Closed:
  • Focus:

Merger/Collaboration Planning Assistance Program

CPB continues to encourage stations to consider mergers and collaborations as a strategy to improve operational efficiency, develop economies of scale and secure long-term sustainability, and most importantly, as a way to strengthen stations' capacity to deliver local content and services. This program provides financial support to conduct the necessary due-diligence and to develop a merger and/or collaboration implementation plan.

About CPB

CPB promotes the growth and development of public media in communities throughout America.

About Public Media

Digital, Diversity, and Dialogue are the framework for public media's service to America.

Programs & Projects

CPB awards grants to stations and independent producers to create programs and services.