FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 4, 2026 CONTACT | Heather Birks | 202.602.0584
BEA Announces New Creative Grants to Support Faculty and Graduate Student Projects
Washington, D.C. – The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is pleased to announce BEA Creative Grants, an annual program supporting academic creative scholarship in broadcasting, electronic media and mass communication.
BEA will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 to help faculty and graduate students complete creative projects. Eligible projects may include documentaries, films, audio productions, multimedia projects, sports and news content, and other forms of media production.
“Creative scholarship is an important part of the work being done by BEA faculty and graduate students,” said BEA President Thom Baggerman, Point Park University. “These grants will help our members develop meaningful projects and share their work with the broader BEA community.”
Applicants must be current BEA individual faculty or graduate student members when applying and receiving grant funds. Each application will be evaluated based on the project’s social and cultural significance; the clarity, originality and completeness of the proposal; the project plan and timeline; the likelihood of completion within two years; and the demonstrated need for funding. Based on the applicant’s qualifications, at least one graduate student grant will be awarded each year.
BEA will accept applications through December 31. Grant recipients will be announced in mid-February and recognized at BEA’s annual convention in Las Vegas. Recipients will also be expected to showcase their completed work at the BEA convention within two years of receiving the grant.
“This is just the beginning,” according to fundraising chair Augie Grant. “We are continuing to ask for tax-deductible donations to support the endowment. The more donations we receive, the more creative work we can support.” The endowment to fund these Creative Grants received seed funding from BEA, then grew with generous contributions from several BEA members. A major contribution from GA Redding helped complete the funding needed to launch the program. GA Redding, a BEA member since 1977, continues to contribute by offering advice, counsel, and financial support to the membership.
Applications for the grants will be reviewed by the BEA Festival Advisory Committee. Complete guidelines and application information will be available on September 1.
About the BEA Convention – BEA’s annual convention is held in conjunction with NAB Show in Las Vegas every spring. Located at the Las Vegas Convention Center, BEA’s annual convention attracts 1,200 educators and students with 250 sessions, events, research panels, technology workshops and an exhibit hall, making BEA the largest conference partner of NAB Show.
About the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) – BEA is the premiere international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production, and career advancement for educators, students, and professionals. There are currently more than 2,300 individual and institutional members worldwide. Visit www.beaweb.org for more information.