Funding to support the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in the UK that are currently broadcasting.

The Community Radio Fund is managed by Ofcom with funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It has been running since 2005.

After providing emergency cash funding in 2020-21 to support stations facing severe financial difficulty due to the pandemic, the Community Radio Fund has returned to its normal programme.

For 2021-22, the funding aims to support the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in the UK, broadcasting on AM, FM, or via a C-DSP licence on a digital radio multiplex.

There is a total of £400,000 for grants for the 2021-22 year. There is no set level of funding. In the past grants have ranged from about £2,000 to around £39,000.

The funding can support the core costs of running Ofcom licensed community radio stations including:

• Management
• Fundraising to support the station (eg, grants, commercial funding)
• Administration
• Financial management and reporting
• Community outreach
• Volunteer organisation and support

Licensees that hold a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) licence are eligible to apply for the Fund if the station is broadcasting on a digital radio multiplex at the date of their application.

Applicant stations must be on air as at the date of their application for their application to be considered by the Panel. Payment can only be made to stations that have launched.

There are normally two rounds per year.

Round 1 applications will be accepted from 28 May to 25 June 2021 (5pm).