To be eligible for the Simon Cumbers Media Fund, all applications must be accompanied by a letter of commitment to broadcast or publish the proposed project from at least one media outlet that has its primary audience in the Republic of Ireland. The template letter of commitment must be submitted on the media outlet’s headed paper and completed by the editor / producer of the media outlet, indicating their intention to publish / broadcast the project within the specified timeframe. A commitment letter is required even where the applicant is the producer / editor. The letter of commitment must be addressed to the Simon Cumbers Media Fund and submitted as part of the application. The media outlet must also undertake to credit the Simon Cumbers Media Fund.
In the case of applications for the funding of an exhibition, a letter of commitment is required from the exhibition outlets included in the application. The letter of commitment should include broad details of the scope of the exhibition (i.e. a commitment to display X frames, the duration for which it will be displayed and the expected visitor / viewing numbers.) The letter of commitment must be addressed to the Simon Cumbers Media Fund and submitted with the application. The exhibition outlet must also undertake to credit the Simon Cumbers Media Fund.
Applicants applying for the funding of an exhibition must demonstrate a track record of professional photography and ideally of having previously mounted an exhibition.
Funding sought must be for costs to facilitate the project, for example, travel; out-of-pocket expenses (accommodation, subsistence, etc.); research expenses (publications or attendance at a conference or event); and resources (aids or equipment rental to facilitate your project). In the case of applications for the funding of an exhibition, these costs may cover the printing and mounting of photographs.
The Fund does not cover staff wages or production costs, or travel within Ireland. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to cover ‘in-kind’ costs (such as production costs associated with publishing or broadcasting the proposed media project).
Download a Fund budget guide here.
To promote sustainability and to help the local economy, collaboration between applicants and local stakeholders and service providers, such as photographers, is encouraged.
Applicants are expected to source the best value available in relation to flights, transport, accommodation and any other costs associated with their project.
