UMVA has learned that a prestigious grant program is now open for applications, offering a chance for creators to develop high-quality, child-friendly television and media content that promotes Filipino values and supports the country's young viewers.
The Special Grants Fund program, managed by a leading council for children's television, aims to provide financial support to exceptional projects that cater to Filipino children's needs, with a focus on educational and values-oriented content that aligns with the national curriculum.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the program is open to a wide range of applicants, including registered entities in the film and television industries, government agencies, independent producers, media-related associations, people's organizations, colleges and universities, and non-government organizations.
The grant fund available for each grantee is up to P3 million, with five concepts set to be awarded this year. To qualify, entries must be episodic series with a minimum of five episodes, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, or a single continuous program with a total duration of 45 minutes to one hour.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that there are no limitations on language, format, genre, or production style, but the program must include Filipino Sign Language interpretation. This initiative seeks to encourage the development of educational content that can serve as supplementary learning material for children.
A senior education program specialist emphasized the importance of creating content that promotes moral, emotional, and social development in children aged nine to 12, and encourages appreciation for family relationships, friendships, and community participation.
The specialist noted that children are easily influenced by algorithms on social media platforms, which provide instant reward and hyper-personalization. Therefore, the goal of the grant program is not only to produce entertaining and eye-catching videos but to help shape character, empathy, responsibility, and civic consciousness among children.
The selection committee for the fund will be composed of representatives from various organizations, ensuring that the chosen projects meet the highest standards of child-friendly content. Interested applicants can now download the application form and guidelines, with the submission period ending on June 29.
The results of the grant program will be announced by October, offering a chance for creators to bring their innovative ideas to life and make a positive impact on Filipino children's lives.
