UK’s Community Radio Stations to Benefit from Government Funding Boost

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced that it has made £900,000 available over the 2025-2026 financial year to the Community Radio Fund.

Deadline:

Amount:

Rather than the usual two funding rounds per year, there will be one funding round this year which is expected to open in early September 2025.

Ofcom-licensed community radio stations broadcasting on AM, FM, or by a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) license on a digital radio multiplex can apply for grants to help with the essential core work involved in running a radio station.

The grants can be used for:

  • Management.
  • Fundraising to support the station (eg, grants, commercial funding).
  • Administration.
  • Financial management and reporting.
  • Community outreach.
  • Volunteer organisation and support.

Although there is no set amount, grants are usually in the range of £5,000 to £30,000.

Ofcom is expected to ‘shortly’ announce more details about how they will manage the process for the 2025/26 fund, which will open for bids in September 2025.