Community Radio Fund Accepting Applications for 2025-26 Funding Round.

The Community Radio Fund is allocated by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and managed by Ofcom. The total amount available over the course of 2025-26 is £901,742 which includes £900,000 allocated from DCMS and £1,742 in returned funds. Ofcom will be administering one round of funding this financial year due to the significant uplift.

Community radio stations serve a range of local communities across the UK. Fuelled by the hard work and enthusiasm of volunteers, they reflect a diverse mix of cultures and interests and provide a rich mix of mostly locally produced content.

The Community Radio Fund supports the sustainability and growth of Ofcom-licensed community radio stations, including:

• Management of station
• Fundraising to support the station (eg, grants, commercial funding)
• Administration
• Financial management and reporting
• Community outreach
• Volunteer organisation and support

Grants can only be made to Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in the UK, broadcasting on AM, FM, or via a Community Digital Sound Programme licence on a digital radio multiplex.

Applications will close at 5pm on Sunday 5 October 2025. We expect the Community Radio Fund Panel to meet in early January 2026 to consider the applications received.

Please read the guidance notes carefully before completing the application form  and use the most up-to-date version of the form, available below.

Please submit your application by emailing it to the Community Radio Fund team at communityradiofund@ofcom.org.uk.

For more information and to apply click here – Community Radio Fund – Ofcom