The CRFC currently administers two programs: the Radio Talent Development Program and the Youth Internship Program. Both were created by Astral Media and are now run by the CRFC.

These programs aim to, among other goals, achieve the objectives set forth in the CRTC policy on the development of Canadian content, which reads as follows: « … [Canadian Content Development] CCD contributions should be dedicated to initiatives that will provide high quality audio content for broadcast. » It further states that all CCD initiatives must involve direct expenditures, and must be allocated to the support, promotion, training, and development of Canadian musical and spoken word talent, including journalists.

While there were differences in criteria, each program requires recipients to incorporate training/education/mentorship and programming components to their proposed projects and initiatives. The CRFC recognizes that the sector is in need of core funding. To that end, we left the door open in terms of types of initiatives that are eligible within the criteria, so long as the learning and programming components are present.

Funding is available to non-commercial community-based licenced broadcasters in Canada and their associations.


1. Radio Talent Development Program

The goal of the Radio Talent Development Program is to develop innovative local interest programming. The components of this program are producing local-interest content in the area of spoken word and providing training, mentoring, and/or education to those producing this content.

Total funding available: $80,000

Eligible amounts: between $500 and $10,000

Deadline: This program is currently closed. The CRFC is planning to launch this program again in Winter 2010/2011.


2. Youth Internship Program

The Youth Internship Program is aimed at stations who are seeking to work with young Canadians in search of mentorship, education, and or training in broadcasting within a community-oriented radio station. Its goal is to increase station capacity and outreach through recruitment, hiring, and training of young talented radio programmers while contributing new and innovative programming to stations. While the focus of this program is on mentorship, education, and/or training, interns will be responsible for producing programming by the end of their internship. This production may not be the focus of the internship, however, the programming should be a reflection of what the intern has learned.

Total funding available: $80,000

Eligible amounts: between $500 and $10,000

Deadline: This program is currently closed. The CRFC is planning to launch this program again in Winter 2010/2011.