Austin PBS DIGITAL ORIGINALS Grant

Applications to go live on April 25th, 2025!

Austin PBS is launching our inaugural Digital Originals grant where we’ll give two (2) creators $35,000 each to complete a web series! The non-fiction (no narrative-scripted series at this time) web series will be 6-8 episodes at 8-10 minutes each and will be a reflection and exploration of life and culture in Central Texas! We’re looking for culturally insightful, personality driven content with high production value and a unique point of view! Both series will premiere on Austin PBS’s YouTube channel.

Virtual Information Session

Please stay tuned for our virtual information session taking place in mid-May. More information and registration link to be provided soon.

Eligibility:

Applicants Must:

• be 18+ at the time of submitting the application
• reside in an Austin PBS viewing area (see eligible zip codes here)
• produce the series in Austin PBS viewing area
• have key member of producing team with relevant experience

Note: we strongly encourage submissions from traditionally underrepresented points of view!

We’re Looking For:

• personality driven
• professionally produced
• a unique point of view
• culturally insightful
• Basic examples:
  • cooking show
  • docuseries
  • travel series
  • video essays

Application Process:

ROUND I:

QUESTIONS: Short essay questions that introduce us to you and who you are as a creator, as well as your series idea and the creative vision for it.

MATERIALS:

• Pitch Deck: a broad overview of your program + the visual feel
• Timeline: demonstrating that series will be completed in 12 months
• Budget: broad overview of budget

ROUND II:

QUESTIONS: Short essay questions that demonstrate the significance of the project, why you and your team should tell this story, and why now is the right time to tell it. This will include details about the editorial process.

MATERIALS:

• Episode Breakdown: a thorough overview of what each episode will entail
• Key Team Bios: at least one key team member must have relevant production experience completing projects
• Detailed Budget: a budget of the entire production following template that will be provided; if series costs more than $35k, please note where/how you’ll secure additional funding and what it will be used for

Review Process: External judging committee (see below) of industry professionals will review the finalists and select 2 winners.

Judging Committee:

Our external judging committee is made up professionals working in an array of industries including public media, non-profit media, and the film industry. All of them either are or were local to the Austin area and have invaluable experience that will help us make our final selection. We’re so honored to have them be a part of our inaugural Digital Originals Grant!

From Left -> Right:

• Courtney Cook: American Documentary/POV, Manager of Education
• Rakeda Ervin: Austin FIlm Society, Director of Community Education
• Joe Hanson: PBS Digital Studios, Digital Creator
• Estefania de Leon: PBS, Assistant Director of Multiplatform Marketing
• Tamar Price: Houston Public Media, Digital Executive Producer
• Andrew Vela: Austin Film Commission, Film and Music Marketing Specialist
• Minh Vu: Indeed, Social Impact Programs and Partnerships

Judging Criteria:

• ORIGINALITY: how unique is your idea and point of view
• FEASIBILITY: is there a path to completion, is the budget aligned with the scope, is there a key team member with relevant experience
• CENTRAL TEXAS CONNECTION: does the filmmaker have an authentic connection to Central Texas and how does this project reflect the lives of Central Texans
• SIGNIFICANCE: does this story need to be told now and is this the team to tell it, how are the filmmakers connected to the story
• AUSTIN PBS ALIGNMENT: is the project in alignment with Austin PBS’s core mission and values

Key Dates:

April 25th - May 30th: Grant application open for submission

June 16th: Notification of Advancement to Round II

July 7th: Round II Materials Due

Week of July 28th: Winners notified

Please note: projects must go into production by February 2026. Final cuts will be due to Austin PBS by July 2026 and the winner’s series will premiere on the Austin PBS YouTube channel in or around August of 2026.

Ready to Apply?

Come back on April 25th, which is when the application will be live!

Questions? Please email us at greenlights@klru.org

Please note, this is our inaugural grant initiative - we’ve never done this before! That said, we aim to leave space in our process for a bit of flexibility, while prioritizing support for our filmmakers and helping them release work that is authentic, fresh, and values driven.