The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) invite applicants for project funding to promote the production of HIV/AIDS programming in Asia-Pacific. The ABU-MAE Project Awards Programme aims to provide small awards of US$1,000 to help motivate and underwrite the development and production of local television and radio programming on HIV/AIDS and related issues in the region. The Project Awards place emphasis on the creation of news feature items, public service announcements and longer format programming on HIV/AIDS protection, education, prevention, and stigma and discrimination issues faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.

The ABU will convene an independent panel to review and assess submitted applications according to a standard set of criteria which includes the appropriateness of messaging, integration, and participation of local institutions working on HIV/AIDS issues, and the strength and innovation of the proposed programming concept. The completed production will be made available rights-free to broadcast companies across the region as part of the ABU-Media Awareness Exchange monthly satellite distribution of HIV/AIDS programming, also funded by GMAI.

To be eligible for an ABU-MAE Project Award, an applicant must:

• Represent an ABU member broadcasting organisation and have the full support of the company's chief executive;
• Propose programming that addresses the issue of HIV/AIDS in its themes;
• Integrate information or referral services from local institutions (i.e. Health Ministry, National AIDS Committee) and/or relevant non-governmental organisation; and
• Propose a programming idea that can be executed within a budget provided by the broadcaster plus the amount requested through the ABU-MAE Project Awards Programme.

The deadline for application is May 9 2008.

Broadcasters wishing to apply for an ABU-MAE Project Awards must submit a formal application and written proposal for consideration. The written proposal should detail the following:

• Overview of the project and its goals, including background information on the broadcast platform(s) that will be airing the final content;
• Description of how the ABU-MAE Project Awards will allow the broadcaster to cover this topic beyond normal reporting;
• Description of previous reporting or programming on HIV/AIDS that has been developed and aired by the broadcaster;
• A realistic production timeline with a committed air date;
• Include a signed release form, allowing rights-free distribution of any content produced with Awards funding on ABU-Media Awareness Exchange (ABU-MAE).

Click here for more information.

Click here to download an application in MS Word format.

Email from Lisa Mohamad to The communication Initiative on April 7 2008.