MDDA offers research grants into media issues

Potential applicants should however be aware that the budget for supporting research is limited and the awarding of any grant will therefore be a highly competitive bidding process.

The MDDA is a statutory institution established in terms of the MDDA Act (no 14 of 2002) and its mandate includes helping create an enabling environment for media development and diversity that is conducive to public discourse and which reflects the needs and aspirations of all South Africans.

The Board of the MDDA developed regulations stipulating amongst other things the criteria for support as well as indicating the percentage of budget which will be allocated to each category (community, small commercial and research).

The total amount currently available for research grants is R527 000. The purpose of such grants will be to provide support for research that would promote media development and diversity in South Africa as a whole.

In line with this, it is important to note that support for feasibility studies or audience research for individual media entities is not included in this definition of research. Such studies will be supported through other MDDA funding initiatives.

The deadline for applications is 26 August 2005 and applicants are requested to complete the form available at www.mddda.org.za. For any other queries contact Farhana Goga at +27-11-492-2003 or email: .