The BBC is launching the second year of the Radio Indie Development Fund with £250,000 to back independent production companies.
The fund is to boost the development of the sector and create commissions from indies who might not already have sizable or regular commissions from the BBC.
Successful indies will receive a one-year investment of between £10-£25k for a specific idea or aspect of their work, plus mentoring from the relevant BBC commissioning team.
Last year saw 15 independent production receiving funding and mentorship, 11 of which were based outside of London and 7 had diverse company leadership.
Glenvale Media, one of the successful recipients of last year’s fund, have started producing Pure Spice with DJ Manara on BBC Asian Network. Another, Manchester based Naked Productions, is producing dramas for BBC Radio 4, including Slow Air and Janey Takes Off.
Lorna Clarke, Director of Music says: “I’m really encouraged by the huge difference the Indie Development Fund has already made to our production suppliers.
“Across BBC Music we are committed to sharing the passion of music discovery from across the UK, with outstanding stories, authentic recommendation with music makers and music fans. We can only do this with authentic production.”
Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech adds: “The Indie Development Fund is a great way to identify and encourage new talent into the industry. I hope suppliers will use it to seek out and provide opportunities to brilliant people that otherwise might not easily step into the wonderful world of audio.”
More about the fund, how to apply and to download an application form, go to the BBC Radio Commissioning website.
Applications close 12pm on Tuesday 12 September with successful applicants beginning mentoring in November.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk