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Oct 04. 2024

New opportunities available to work with us through Media Cymru funding

This month sees the opening of applications for three new Media Cymru funding opportunities worth over £1 million. Included in these are the Seed Fund and Scale up Fund, which are both part of Media Cymru’s Innovation Pipeline. We at PDR are a consortium partner for the pipeline, meaning we offer our expertise on how to take a Design led approach to research and development for innovation to the projects involved. Find out more about the recent work carried out by our dedicated Media Cymru team here.

Andy Walters, Professor of User Centred Design and head of our Media Cymru team at PDR said the following:

"Once again we're looking forward to supporting lots of interesting projects, we'll be applying our design-led innovation knowledge to help all of the successful participants to take their ideas forward. We'll assist with identifying target audiences and end-users, designing interventions to discover user needs and value, and where appropriate helping to develop and test new, innovative products and services."

Seed Fund: 7 to 31 October

Up to £10,000 for freelancers and SME’s to research and develop innovation-driven products, services or experiences in the media sector.

Projects run from February to June 2025

Scale up Fund: 7 October to 4 December 2024

Up to £250,000 for projects of significant scale and ambition that have the potential to be transformational for the media sector and deliver an international impact.

Projects run from May 2025 to April 2026


Also opening this month are applications for the Content Innovation Fund. This is a separate funding stream that is to promote focus on innovative climate change informed content aimed at a mainstream audience.

BBC Content Innovation Fund: 2 October to 8 November 2024

Projects run from February to April 2025

Also on the horizon is the opening of applications for the next Greening the Screen Development Fund. This is a joint venture between Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales with the aim of turning the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) into a hub for sustainable media production. We will also be an active member of this scheme through the involvement of our resident eco-design expert, Dr Katie Beverley, who will depart her extensive knowledge of the subject to participants.

On the opening of the new applications, Professor Sara Pepper OBE, Media Cymru’s Co-Director, stresses the importance of having a diverse range of projects as recipients of funding: “As we launch five funding opportunities totalling over £1m, we’re keen that first time applicants, growing businesses and established companies alike apply to our funds and work with us to create a fair and green media sector fit for the future.

For more info on the Media Cymru funding opportunities available and to apply, click here.