LINCS now accepts projects year-round. Contact us if you have any questions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Independent Producers:

  • Citizens or legal residents of the U.S. or its external territories
  • “Independent producers." This means that the individual applicants a) own the copyright of their production; b) have artistic, budgetary, and editorial control of their project and; c) are NOT regularly employed as producers/directors by a public or commercial broadcast entity or film studio, including public access stations. Staff persons who are not producers/directors are allowed to apply. Note: the copyright may also be shared with the station partner.
  • Persons age 18 or older
  • Persons with some previous film or television production experience in a principal role (producer, co-producer, director, or co-director) as evidenced by submitting a previously completed work sample

Stations:

  • Station partners must be affiliated with the PBS system and/or receive monies from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
  • Stations may co-produce one or more LINCS programs, but are limited to one proposal per independent producer.
  • Stations with LINCS shows currently in production are eligible to apply with additional proposals.
  • Stations must be able to provide a designated station contact to work closely with the independent producer through the production and delivery for broadcast of the program.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Independent Producers:

  • Individuals who do not meet ITVS’s definition of an “independent producer”
  • Students
  • Current signatories of ITVS production contracts who have not completed delivery or previously funded producers who are not up to date with reporting requirements.
  • Producers representing foreign-based production entities
  • Persons regularly employed as producers/directors by a public or commercial broadcast entity including public access stations
  • Organizations such as universities, foundations, and nonprofit media organizations
  • Production managers, writers, assistants, supporting crew members

Stations:

  • Cable/public/community access stations are not eligible partners for LINCS funding.

Common Questions

Am I required to have a certain amount of producing experience to apply to ITVS?

Yes. A previously completed work sample video is mandatory. The applicant and/or co-applicant must have some previous film or television production experience in a principal production role: producer, co-producer, director, or co-director, which is demonstrated by submitting a sample video of previously completed work in its entirety.

Do I need a fiscal sponsor? Can I apply as an organization?

No, you do not need a fiscal sponsor. You can apply as an organization as long as the primary applicant is an independent producer, which is defined by ITVS as an independent producer/entity not regularly employed as a staff producer or director by a public or commercial broadcast station or studio.

Can I be a Primary Applicant for one application and submit another application as a Co-Applicant?

No. Individuals can only submit one application per round, per initiative. Only one project can be under consideration for ITVS funding at any time.

Can I apply as an individual and form my station partnership later?

No. Applicants must form their station partnership, as evidenced by a letter of support (see Building a LINCS Partnership for details), before submitting to LINCS. We encourage applicants to begin this process early.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about LINCS, email karolyn_wong@itvs.org.