Deadline December 1, 2008, no later than noon Eastern Time

OVERVIEW
Public Radio Makers Quest 2.0 (MQ2.0) is a new public media initiative that will identify the best and brightest audio makers, producers, reporters, and sound artists and provide them resources and incentive to forge bold new paths that include and go beyond public radio's broadcast airwaves. The project -- funded by CPB and administered by the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) -- will distribute up to $400,000 in grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 each to about a dozen forward-thinking individuals eager to surprise listeners with audio programming and sounds influenced by new media technology.

PROCESS
This is not an open application process. Producers must be nominated. By November 7, 2008, a committee will review nominations and invite up to 30 nominees to submit proposals. Producers invited to submit a proposal must do so by December 1, 2008. The committee will convene to deliberate, and by December 31, 2008, 12–15 of the proposals for cross-platform audio productions will be approved for funding. The selected producers will implement their proposals between early 2009 and July 31, 2009.

The committee is comprised of individuals who are uniquely placed at the networks and leading producer stations across the country. They've been chosen for this assignment because they have unique taproots into the creative center of their respective organizations; they have receptive ears for the "new." We have also invited them to recommend, as they evaluate our talent/nominees, where we will best incubate the projects we select.

BACKGROUND
This is the first time in 20 years that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a key "engine" of public radio and television, has dedicated a pool of funds solely to individual audio producers; since the late 1980s, producers have had to compete with the networks and stations for resources from CPB's Program Fund. AIR was incorporated 20 years ago by 10 audio producers who believed in the importance of independence and in the significance of the contributions of the individual, inspired "maker" to public radio. AIR's worldwide membership of 700 includes sound artists, producers, and associates from all walks of public radio and beyond.

AIR and CPB, eager to instigate and support the transition from public radio to public media, look to MQ2.0 "makers" to help lead the way with bold and well-executed new experiments.

The individuals who will receive funding will be those who experiment with bridging traditional broadcast and emerging digital platforms. That is, the proposed idea must include an aspect suitable for on-air broadcast via a radio station or network, and it must also include an aspect that moves the work beyond the airwaves to harness the power of the digital distribution realm. This could include, but not be limited to, online streaming, mobile phone distribution, or some sort of social network production strategy. Specific ideas are emerging as the project evolves. We are considering whether to offer detailed project ideas to our selected nominees. We'll make more information available as it evolves.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
If you have been invited to submit a proposal to us and choose to accept, we want to give you some insight into the criteria our Talent Committee members are guided by. If you are one of the 12 to 15 chosen for funding, you will have the responsibility of pioneering exiting new territory.... paving the way for what we hope are future rounds of MQ2.  

It is not necessarily requisite to meet all the criteria laid out here.  We are, rather, clueing you in to elements that we believe will help us identify a broadly representative, exceptional group of "makers."

Here are some of the questions to consider as you begin to draft your proposal to us:

Feasibility of your idea

• Is your proposal doable in the time frame stipulated?
• Do you have a record of being able to reliably deliver projects on time and in budget?  
• Is there on-air component that can reasonably be used by a radio station, program, or broadcast network?
• Do you have a broadcast partner in place that is ready to "incubate" the proposed idea? (not requisite, but we'll look for this)
• Do you have the technical ability to be successful?  Will you collaborate with someone who has the needed expertise?

Originality

• Will your work, if successfully executed, be surprising? 
• How unique is the idea you're proposing?  Is this the first time you'll be making an attempt to execute the idea? 
• If it is a work already in progress, how will the financial support of MQ2 make it different or better in a significant way?
• In what ways, if any, will your approach break new ground in terms of programming/content?
• Will you utilize digital media in an entirely new way for radio?

Record of distinction

• In what ways, if any, have you made a mark on the world? In what ways do you stand out from peers?

The potential to take us into new territory

• Would your project expand public radio's reach to new listeners? Will it invite current listeners to engage in new ways?   
• In what ways does your concept or proposed execution challenge us to a leap of faith... cause us to buy into the notion that “(s)he knows more than I do. I will need to follow."
• In what ways, if any, will your project advance a diverse, under-represented, or "other" perspective, experience, or mindset?
• Are you bringing something from the outside-in, that is, working primarily outside the public radio industry?
• Are you an inside-the-industry maker bringing us a brand new concept or approach?   

A realistic budget

• Is your achievable with the submitted budget and within the time frame stipulated (by July 31, 2008)?
• If you are collaborating, have you vetted proposed fees and related expenses for their services with your partners to ensure the budget is sound?
• Have the costs related to new, untested digital aspects of the project been thoroughly vetted?  Are they sound?

Proposals must include the following:

A radio component
CPB mandates that funded projects must include a component for broadcast. Winning individuals may propose work that is strictly audio, and we also encourage those submitting proposals to mix media -- videos, slide shows, flash, etc.

The ability of the producer to execute the project
Nominees should briefly explain their expertise, credits, and accomplishments in both audio works and multiple-platform environments.

The potential of the applicant to use new cross-platform techniques to serve a public radio station, program, or network
The goal of MQ2.0 is to use emerging platforms/technology to expand the reach of public radio in a new and experimental way. The proposal should address how the project would accomplish this.

A clear sense of whom the work is intended to reach and how this work would benefit them or enhance their understanding and experience of the world around them
This is a public media project. The individuals selected for funding will be able to articulate why this work matters and what difference it will make. How will it move someone "receiving" the work to new thought, to a deeper understanding, to a new experience, or to a new way of relating to his or her online or at-home community?

The potential use by a station, program, or network
The nominee should include a plan for implementation of the project, including who would benefit from or experience the work. Is the project targeted to a local community, a particular group, a region, or a national audience? Is it for use by a station, program, or network?

Tip: If you have a relationship with a specific public radio station, program, or network, make note of that, and explain what steps you may have taken to engage them with your proposal. The project organizers will be prepared to assist the most promising "makers" to establish a broadcast home for incubating their projects.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for funding:

The person submitting the proposal must be at least 18 years of age as of December 31, 2008.

The proposed project must be administered by an individual.We encourage collaboration! Are you an audio genius and your best friend is a tech geek? Come up with a proposal together and then decide who will submit it. Keep in mind, whether working at a station or network or collaboratively with a group, one individual will be awarded the grant.

This project must be targeted for the United States. It doesn't have to be restricted to the U.S. but must include it in a significant way.

PROPOSAL PROCEDURES
All complete proposals must include the following:

An Online Application Form, filled out in its entirety. The online form asks for a brief biography and a description of your experience in radio and digital media. It requests a narrative describing your idea, a simple project budget, a project timeline, and up to three examples of or links to your work.

Project Narrative, consisting of no more than 1,500 words. The narrative, along with the budget and timetable, should address all of the criteria for funding described earlier in these guidelines.

*If others will be collaborating with you, give qualifications of that person(s) and if he or she has committed to the project if your proposal is selected for funding.

Project Budget
Grant amounts range from $20,000 to $40,000 each. Provide a line-item budget for your project. Identify how each line amount was calculated. Matching funds are not required, however, if there are other sources of funding that will be dedicated to the project, cash and/or in kind, include that information.

Project Timeline
Include a timeline of major project activities. The funding for the selected projects begins in early 2009 and ends no later than July 31, 2009.

Samples of Your Work
Provide up to three samples demonstrating the quality and breadth of your work. You must include at least one audio piece. Links to Web sites, blogs, and multimedia are also accepted. Please limit attached files to four minutes each. The purpose of these examples is to show your expertise, originality, and interests.

Faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered proposals will not be accepted.

DEADLINE
Proposals must be received no later than noon Eastern Time on December 1, 2008.

QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS
Check out the FAQ to see if your question is there.

You can also contact MQ2.0 Talent Manager Ingrid Lakey.

Phone: 215-435-8525
E-mail: Ingrid@airmedia.org

REVIEW AND SELECTION
The Talent Committee will review the proposals and make recommendations on the selection of project, but the final funding decisions are CPB's alone.

Producers will be contacted by December 31, 2008, if they have been selected for funding.

OTHER INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS
CPB and AIR, the administrator of MQ2.0, are not responsible for any violation of copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other rights that may result from disclosure made in response to these guidelines.

Solicitation of applications by CPB and AIR does not constitute an agreement by CPB and AIR to extend funding to any party for the project under consideration. CPB and AIR may, in their sole discretion, elect not to pursue this project in any manner.

By submitting a proposal, each applicant grants to CPB and AIR the right to duplicate, use, disclose, and distribute all of the materials submitted for purposes of evaluation, review, and research. In addition, each applicant guarantees that the applicant has full and complete rights to all of the information and materials included in the proposal. Each applicant also guarantees that all such materials are not defamatory and do not infringe upon or violate the privacy rights, copyrights, or other proprietary rights of any third party.

Conditions of Agreement
If an application is selected for funding, the applicant will be required to sign a binding agreement. Until both parties have signed an agreement, no express or implied commitment has been made to provide financial support. Applicants are not authorized to commence work until the agreement is fully executed. If applicants opt to commence work, they do so at their own risk. No oral or written statement other than the signed, written agreement will govern or modify the relationship.