How To Apply

Applying for the California Civic Media Program is designed to be straightforward. This section walks you through everything you need: what to gather, what to expect, and how to put your best application forward.

Start Your Application

Continue Your Application

Application Process

Applying Through Temelio

The application is hosted on Temelio, the program’s online grants management platform. Applicants can access the application, save their progress, and return at any time before the application deadline, on August 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM PT.

Access the Application Portal

Access the application portal to start your application. If you pre-registered, sign in to continue where you left off. If you did not pre-register, you’ll first complete a brief eligibility quiz to confirm your organization meets the program’s basic requirements. Then, create your Temelio account and complete your organization profile to access the full application.

What Entity Applies?

Each news organization, the publication title under which content is published, is required to submit a separate application, even if part of a larger news network owned by one parent company. In those cases, one parent company is allowed to submit an application for each of its news organizations.

The Review Process

Once the application period closes on August 21, 2026, all eligible applications enter an independent review and scoring process. Here is what happens after you submit.

Who Reviews Applications

Applications are scored by an independent Review Committee representing a range of expertise from across California including journalism practice, philanthropy, academic research, information equity, community representation, organizational sustainability, digital media, and more. The committee is selected and managed by the program’s third-party administrators. Neither GO-Biz nor the Advisory Board participates in the review.

How Applications Are Scored

Applicants will be asked to answer three short narrative questions on their coverage of disinvested audiences, ongoing viability, and planned use of funds. Applications will be scored based on those responses using a predefined rubric. Higher-scoring applications are funded first until program funds are depleted. Please reference the program guide for a copy of the rubric for the narrative questions.