Funding

ITVS funds, distributes, and promotes new programs primarily for public television. We work with independent producers to create and present programs that take creative risks, advance issues and represent points of view not usually seen on public or commercial television. ITVS is committed to programming that addresses the needs of underserved and underrepresented audiences. We look for programs that bring new audiences to public television and that expand civic participation by bringing diverse voices into the public sphere.

Funding Initiatives

You may apply to only one ITVS funding initiative per round. Read the funding descriptions carefully to make sure that you have chosen the initiative that your film is eligible for.

• Open Call

  Current call closed

  Open Call has two deadlines per year. Open Call Round 1 deadline: June 28, 2013.
  The online application is now closed.

  Please read all Open Call information carefully as some details have changed.

  Open Call provides completion funds for single nonfiction public television programs on any subject, and from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production as evidenced by a work-in-progress video. Open Call funding is only available to independent producers who are citizens or legal residents of the U.S. and its external territories.

• International Initiative

  Open.
  Now accepts applications year-round. Please read guidelines carefully for details.

  The International guidelines have changed significantly. Please take time to read carefully.

  ITVS International funding provides production funds for single documentaries that bring international perspectives, ideas, stories and people to television and other media platforms.

  Please read our new submissions guidelines carefully. We no longer have a submission deadline but consider projects on a rolling basis. This new process opens year-round September 15, 2012. As of this date, you may submit a project inquiry at any time.

  Our review process for production funding is thorough and comprehensive, and the information included here will help you better understand our approach to funding and co-production.

• LINCS

  Open.
  LINCS now accepts applications year-round. Please read guidelines carefully for details.

  LINKING INDEPENDENTS AND CO-PRODUCING STATIONS (LINCS) provides matching funds (up to $100,000) to partnerships between public television stations and independent producers. LINCS funds single non-fiction public television programs and demonstration projects that include both broadcast and transmedia elements on any subject and from any viewpoint. LINCS proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. Producers must be U.S. citizens or legal residents.

• Diversity Development Fund

  Current call closed

  The deadline for DDF is Friday, August 16th, 2013.

  The Diversity Development Fund provides up to $15,000 in research and development funding to producers of color to develop single documentary programs for public television. Producers must be U.S. citizens or legal residents.

• Series and Special Projects

  Open.

  ITVS accept proposals on an ongoing basis for commissioned documentary projects that fall outside of the parameters of the standing initiatives (DDF, LINCS, OPEN CALL).