The Kids IP Incubator is a partnership between NZ On Air, Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). It gives established and emerging children’s content makers a structured pathway to explore, develop and, for selected projects, produce original digital-first IP for direct-to-audience online platforms.
Through this incubator NZ On Air intends to support content designed to successfully reach and engage tamariki on the platforms they’re using. NZ On Air’s research into children’s media use shows YouTube is the most used media platform by children – 69% using YouTube or YouTube Kids daily. This initiative aligns with our support of KIDOGO and KIDOGO Junior, two hubs for local stories and songs on YouTube and YouTube Kids where tamariki, their caregivers and teachers can safely and easily access age-appropriate local kids’ content on a platform they are already using.
The initiative combines development funding, in-person workshops in Melbourne alongside selected Australian teams, online modules and one-on-one mentoring from specialists with YouTube and direct-to-audience platform experience.
Phase I timeline
15 October 2026 - Applications open through NZ On Air’s portal
27 October 2026, 11:00 a.m - NZ On Air-only live Q+A webinar for NZ applicants Register for the webinar by emailing funding@nzonair.govt.nz with the subject line ‘Incubator webinar’
26 November 2026, 4 p.m. - Phase I applications close
23 February 2027 - NZ applicants advised of Phase I project selections by or on this date March to late April 2027 - Online modules and mentoring for selected Phase I projects
6–8 April 2027 - Workshop: an in-person workshop held in Melbourne over three days, attended by two people per selected Phase I project.
28 April 2027 - Pitch event in Melbourne, attended by two people per selected Phase I project.
Please read the Guidelines for this RFP below.
