Criteria for Round 5 of the Public Interest Journalism Fund is now available

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Criteria for Round 5 of the Public Interest Journalism Fund has been published ahead of the round opening next Thursday June 23. The Criteria remain unchanged from Round 4 and will cover all three pillars of the fund; Roles, Projects and Industry Development. The issue of whether previously funded proposals can return for further funding was raised by the Industry Advisory Panel and clarification has been added to the Round 5 Criteria.

Previously funded projects or roles
The PIJF recognises the merit of building on and extending roles or projects that have demonstrated success already. Completed projects or roles funded in previous PIJF rounds are eligible to apply for further funding but will need to demonstrate the following:
· How well the role or project delivered on intended outcomes
· Why the role or project deserves further funding
· Why the applicant is unable to financially sustain the role or project
· How further funding will increase the role or project’s future sustainability

Before you begin your application, we highly recommend you read the Round 5 Criteria, updated General Guidelines and updated Q + A.

The PIJF team remain keen to assist applicants preparing proposals. Just book an appointment by emailing journalism@nzonair.govt.nz. Round 5 applications need to be in by 4pm, Thursday July 21.

In other news, the PIJF team continues to work at streamlining our processes and, after industry feedback, we believe we can simplify our drawdown schedule. We will eliminate the need for two separate drawdowns for full delivery and content completion at the end of a project or role, reducing the total number of producer reports required. While flexibility in the drawdown schedule is already available, it would appear most producers defer to the default drawdowns built in. Producers are welcome to discuss the drawdown schedule that will suit them and their project at contract initiation and we would encourage you to do that.

Reminder

Just a note that Round 4 decisions will be announced Monday 11 July.

Raewyn Rasch, Head of Journalism: raewyn@nzonair.govt.nz
Gabriel Thomas, Journalism Manager: gabrielt@nzonair.govt.nz
Fairooz Samy, Journalism Funding Advisor: fairooz@nzonair.govt.nz