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Public Interest Journalism – first funding round opens

PIJ

The inaugural funding round for the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) has opened today. Read below the essential information for intending applicants.

Important dates:

Round opens: Today Fri 30 April at 4pm

Round closes: Thurs 13 May at 4pm

Please read on for all you need to know to make an application.

All of this information is also available here: https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/funding/journalism-funding/

A quick refresh

In February Min of Broadcasting and Media Hon. Kris Faafoi announced NZ On Air would administer a $55m fund to support public interest journalism. The fund is split into $10m in the current financial year, $25m in 2021/22 and $20m in 2022/23.

Since the announcement NZ On Air has undertaken industry stakeholder engagement to better understand needs, including recent engagement with the Māori and Iwi journalism sector carried out on our behalf by Te Amokura consulting.

The Māori sector engagement was hugely informative, and has helped us shape the documents released today. One key decision yet to be made involves a call from the sector for ring-fenced funding for Māori and Iwi journalism. Any decisions on this require greater consultation with the Māori and Iwi journalism sector. We will provide clarity around ring-fenced funding prior to the second PIJF funding round (submission deadline 22 July).

The funding round opening today is for Projects and Industry Development. We continue to work on the details around Role funding and will announce details on how this will work prior to the second PIJF funding round.

We have also announced the appointment of the Head of Journalism who will lead the programme of work. Raewyn Rasch takes up the role on May 24.

Here's what you need to know to apply

The following guidance documents are intended to help applicants understand how the fund will work, what they can apply for, and whether they may be eligible.

  • The General Guidelines is the foundation document which you should read to understand the fund’s objectives, eligibility and assessment criteria.
  • The Round Information set out what we are accepting applications for in this first round.
  • The Funding Flowchart is a step-by-step guide to the funding application and assessment process from start to finish, and will be especially useful for first-time applicants.
  • The Q & A attempts to anticipate common questions and provide answers. Please look here first, before making contact.
  • The Funding Deadlines document has the opening and closing round details until the end of the year.

Got a question?

We will run a webinar on Wed 5 May from 10-11am to answer questions. You can register for the webinar here.

This webinar is aimed at first-time applicants. We want to make the process as easy and understandable as possible. We will record this and make it available on our website.

You can also email your questions through to journalism@nzonair.govt.nz - although please first check the documents provided above, and consider jumping on the webinar before hitting send, as we may not be able to get back to you promptly due to the anticipated volume of enquiries.