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Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program (IBMP) – Strengthening Community Broadcasting Grant

Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program (IBMP) – Strengthening Community Broadcasting Grant

  • Total funding pool: $4 million.
  • Expected grant range: Most grants are expected to range from $20,000 to $250,000.
  • Maximum grant amount: No fixed maximum applies.
  • Expected activity commencement: Early 2027.
  • Final project completion date: No later than June 30 2028.
  • Applications close: September 11 2026 at 12.00 pm AEST
Get In Touch

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility and competitiveness for The Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program, Strengthening Community Broadcasting Grant. Our grant writing consultancy team can review your proposed project against the published assessment criteria, funding objectives and Indigenous Grants Preferencing Policy to identify strengths, gaps and areas requiring further evidence before submission. We can also provide guidance on the supporting documents, financial information, community engagement evidence and project planning required to maximise your chances of success in this competitive grant round.

The Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program (IBMP) – Strengthening Community Broadcasting grant is NIAA funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcasting and media organisations. It supports Indigenous community radio and media services to modernise equipment and infrastructure, stabilise operations and improve community access to First Nations news, information and media.

Key Requirements

  • Modernise and stabilise services: Support First Nations broadcasting and media organisations to improve operational stability, infrastructure and organisational capability.
  • Deliver reliable and culturally relevant broadcasting: Strengthen the delivery of high-quality, locally relevant and culturally appropriate news, information, cultural and educational programs.
  • Demonstrate community need and support: Show that the proposed activity responds to an identified community need and is supported by the First Nations communities or groups it will serve.
  • Demonstrate cultural competence: Explain the applicant’s understanding of the service area, acceptance within the target community and capacity to deliver culturally safe and responsive services.
  • Demonstrate delivery capability: Provide evidence of relevant experience, suitable delivery arrangements, risk management, work health and safety processes, human resource capability and performance measurement.
  • Deliver sustainable outcomes: Demonstrate how the project will achieve lasting community outcomes and complement other First Nations broadcasting and media services.
  • Support First Nations participation: Demonstrate commitment to First Nations employment opportunities and the use of First Nations suppliers.
  • Maintain required licences and approvals: Applicants must hold and maintain all qualifications, permits, registrations and licences required to deliver the proposed activities lawfully. Community broadcasters must hold the applicable broadcasting and apparatus licences

What is eligible for funding?

  • Purchasing and installing production, transmission and administration equipment.
  • Establishing a new First Nations community broadcasting service.
  • Undertaking minor repairs and maintenance to broadcasting equipment or infrastructure.
  • Purchasing one-off software, including broadcasting automation and financial management systems.
  • Delivering training in news and journalism, technical skills, business administration and financial management.
  • Building organisational capacity and capability.
  • Developing or updating organisational policies and procedures.
  • Implementing or upgrading financial management systems.
  • Undertaking strategic business planning.
  • Upgrading organisational websites.
  • Paying wages and salaries directly related to project delivery

 

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must have an ABN, subject to limited exemptions, and an Australian financial institution account in the applicant’s name and control. GST registration is required where relevant.

Eligible entity types include:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.
  • Companies incorporated in Australia.
  • Incorporated associations.
  • Incorporated cooperatives.
  • Organisations established under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation.
  • Australian state or territory government bodies.
  • Australian local government bodies.
  • Incorporated trustees applying on behalf of a trust.
  • Partnerships.
  • Joint or consortium applications led by an eligible organisation.

New services must provide evidence of community support or previous First Nations engagement that demonstrates the capacity to deliver culturally safe and responsive services.

Joint applications must nominate a lead organisation. The lead organisation must submit the application, enter into the grant agreement and provide letters of support from project partners.

Applicants cannot receive funding from another government source for the same purpose. Applicants must also demonstrate financial viability and compliance with applicable laws, licences and regulatory requirements.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. This is an open competitive grant opportunity administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). Eligible applications are assessed on merit against four equally weighted assessment criteria and compared against other applications seeking funding. Final funding decisions are made by the NIAA Program Delegate based on application quality, value for money, alignment with grant objectives and available funding.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

To be competitive, applicants should ensure their project clearly supports the grant objectives of strengthening First Nations community broadcasting services, improving operational capability, modernising infrastructure, enhancing service quality and increasing community access to relevant First Nations information and media services.
Strong applications will provide compelling evidence against all four assessment criteria:
  • Demonstrated community need and support, including evidence that the proposed activity is supported by the target community and contributes to Closing the Gap Outcomes 16 and 17.
  • Strong cultural competence and demonstrated relationships with First Nations communities.
  • Proven organisational capability and a clear approach to project delivery, risk management and performance measurement.
  • Evidence that the project will deliver sustainable outcomes and strengthen existing First Nations broadcasting and media services.
Applicants should also provide detailed supporting documentation such as:
  • Community support letters and stakeholder endorsements
  • Project implementation plans and milestones
  • Risk management frameworks
  • Governance and organisational capability information
  • Equipment quotations and project budgets
  • Training and workforce development plans
  • Evidence of previous project delivery success
  • Financial information demonstrating organisational viability
  • Outcome measurement and evaluation frameworks
Where applications are similarly ranked, the NIAA may apply the Indigenous Grants Preferencing Policy, giving preference to First Nations-controlled organisations and organisations demonstrating strong First Nations employment, procurement and engagement outcomes.
As part of an engagement with Avant Group, your account manager can assess the evidence required and provide grant strategy, application writing, project planning, stakeholder engagement documentation, financial forecasting, risk assessments, implementation plans, capability statements and other supporting materials designed to strengthen the competitiveness of your submission.

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility and competitiveness for the IBMP Strengthening Community Broadcasting Grant.
Our consultants can review your proposed project against the published assessment criteria, funding objectives and Indigenous Grants Preferencing Policy to identify strengths, gaps and areas requiring further evidence before submission. We can also provide guidance on the supporting documents, financial information, community engagement evidence and project planning required to maximise your chances of success in this competitive grant round.