The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (30.08.16) announced details of its 2016 Media Research Funding Scheme.
A total of €50,000 is being made available to suitably qualified academics, researchers and media professionals in order to carry out short-term research project(s) on themes of relevance to anticipated developments in the broadcasting sector and the BAI’s regulatory role in these regards.
Research themes of particular interest, identified by the BAI for the 2016 scheme include:
Gender in the media;
Broadcast media and society;
Irish language in broadcasting;
Any theme supporting the BAI’s strategic goals and objectives, as set out in the BAI’s Strategy Statement 2014-2016.
Commenting on the launch, BAI Chief Executive, Michael O’Keeffe, said: “Research funded by the BAI is very important in guiding and planning all aspects of our regulatory work and this is why the Authority has
approved a 100% increase in the amount of support being made available through the Media Research Funding Scheme this year. The aim of the Scheme is to strengthen the links between the BAI, third level institutions and the broadcasting sector, as well as providing a strong evidence base to our regulatory function and helping us to meet the needs of viewers and listeners.
“While we will consider all applications deemed to complement the BAI Strategy Statement 2014-2016, we are particularly interested in projects that highlight research gaps in the topic of gender in the media; those that look at whether Irish broadcasting reflects and shapes modern Irish society, and the role of the Irish language in broadcasting.”
Further information, including funding scheme guidelines and the application form, is available on www.bai.ie. The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday, 14th October 2016.
The BAI undertakes and commissions qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed-method research. As the research is aimed at providing information to the BAI in support of its statutory functions, it is anticipated that funded projects are more likely to be of an applied rather than a theoretical nature. To this end, applicants are advised to refer to the legislative framework in which the BAI operates, in particular, Sections 26(2)(a), (2)(c) and (2)(g) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009.The duration of funded projects will be between three and 12 months. Applicants may apply for one research project under the scheme.
Eligible applicants include: Post-doctoral and/or academic staff in third-level institutions who wish to undertake research; freelance researchers; individuals and/or organisations in the broadcasting/media industry who wish to undertake research; individuals and/or teams from market research consultancies; individuals in the broadcasting/media industry who are undertaking research as part of a continuing professional development programme; a partnership of any of the above.
Applicants must be Irish or EU nationals or residents. Organisations must be incorporated in Ireland or the EU.