The Catapult Development Grant emphasizes the importance of engaging and artistic storytelling that resonates emotionally, favoring narratives centered around characters, originality in approach, content, and form, as well as the use of creative and innovative storytelling methods. It seeks contemporary relevance through a distinctive perspective, style, and tone, while also considering the feasibility of the project in terms of budget, financing, schedule, and scope.

Furthermore, it evaluates the proven capability of the creative team to execute prior projects, the credibility of access and relationship with the proposed subjects of the story, and the commitment to accountability and ethics. The grant aims to create a significant impact during the project’s development phase and assesses the potential for the project to foster public discourse and social engagement.

This grant is intended for documentaries that are in development or early production, with a minimum length of 28 minutes. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not currently enrolled in an academic institution. The funds provided by the grant are specifically designated for the creation of a fundraising piece, which may encompass writing, filming, and editing once the story and characters have been established. It is required that applicants hold the copyright for their production and maintain artistic, budgetary, and editorial control over their project.

Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000, and applicants must be capable of receiving funding through a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Applications from individuals are not eligible, and projects must be in the early stages of development, as the grant does not support projects that are in later production, post-production, or impact campaigns. Additionally, the program does not accept docuseries, fictional films, branded content, student projects, or works-for-hire.

Grantees are required to submit two reports throughout the duration of the grant period, which includes an interim report accompanied by a 30-minute progress call and a final report followed by a one-hour strategy call.

Upon the conclusion of the award period, grantees are obligated to submit the proposed fundraising piece. Furthermore, grantees must acknowledge Catapult’s support in film credits, publicity, and promotional materials, and are expected to provide tickets for the film’s premiere.

In addition to funding, Catapult acts as an involved partner for grantees by offering editorial feedback, industry connections, and mentorship that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the project.

Eligibility – Catapult Development Grant Program

• Applicants (Project Director) must be at least 18 years old and cannot be currently enrolled in an academic institution.
• Documentaries should be in the development phase or early production, with a target length of 28 minutes or more.
• Grant funds are to be specifically allocated for the creation of a fundraising piece, which may encompass writing, shooting, and editing once the story and characters are established.
• Applicants must possess the copyright for their production and maintain artistic, budgetary, and editorial control over their project.
• Directors are permitted to submit only one application per cycle. Catapult does not support filmmakers who are currently under contract with another CFF-supported project and have not fulfilled the final deliverables outlined in the Guidelines sections.
• Previously submitted applications must show substantial changes to the story, characters, or project development. If an application has been rejected multiple times, we strongly advise evaluating whether the project aligns with our guidelines.
• Applicants should have prior experience in film or television production in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer), as evidenced by key creative personnel filmography and/or visual samples. This may include, but is not limited to, credits and/or materials from the filmmaking team’s previously completed feature-length documentaries.
• Catapult does not provide grants to individuals. If selected, applicants must be able to accept grants through a 501(c)(3) organization, such as a fiscal sponsor. Projects may apply without a fiscal sponsor but must identify the designated organization to receive funding. For more information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions»
• Catapult exclusively concentrates on early-stage support and does not fund projects that are in production, post-production, completed, or for impact campaigns. We do not finance docuseries, fiction films, branded content, student projects (including dissertations), or works-for-hire (commissioned by a third party, e.g., NGOs). Hybrid and experimental formats will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Selection Criteria – Catapult Development Grant Program

• Artful and engaging storytelling that resonates, favoring character-driven narratives rather than projects focused heavily on lessons or agendas.
• Originality in approach, content, and form, utilizing creative and innovative storytelling techniques; we typically do not support projects that depend solely on interviews as the main narrative method.
• Creative and innovative storytelling techniques.
• Contemporary relevance with a distinct perspective, style, and/or tone; we generally do not fund historical and biographical films unless there is a unique angle or approach that renders the subject matter timely and pertinent.
• Project feasibility concerning budget, financing, schedule, and scope.
• Proven capability of the creative team to execute previous projects, demonstrated through key personnel credits or prior work samples.
• Credible access and rapport with the proposed subjects of the story, with a focus on accountability and ethics.
• Significant impact of the Catapult grant on the project’s development stage.
• Potential of the project to foster public discourse and social engagement.

Guidelines – Catapult Development Grant Program

• Grant awards range from $5000 to $25,000. If selected, grantees must have a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to officially accept the award.
• Once accepted, Catapult will provide a letter of agreement that clearly outlines use of funds, reporting, and deliverables. Report deadlines are determined by the grantee, based on project goals and timeline.
• During the course of the grant period, grantees must submit two reports (with narrative and financial updates). The interim report will be followed by a 30-minute progress call to discuss project updates, use of funds, and current stage. The final report should coincide with the completion of the final deliverable and will be followed by a one-hour strategy call with the Catapult team.
• Upon completion of the award period, grantees must submit the proposed fundraising piece. Grantees agree to return any funds not used for the purpose of the grant.
• Grantees will be expected to acknowledge Catapult support with text and/or logo recognition in film credits, publicity, and promotional materials, as well as tickets to the film’s premiere.
• Beyond the grant, Catapult serves as an early and engaged champion for our grantees by providing editorial feedback, industry connections, and mentorship based on project needs.We recommend that applicants check if their projects should meet the eligibility and selection criteria before applying, and understand the grant guidelines and expectations. Learn more about Procedure and Checklist »

Key dates – Catapult Development Grant Program

• August 6, 2025: Step 1 application opens on Submittable
• September 8, 2025: Step 1 application closes at 5 p.m. PT
• Mid-October: Invitations sent to top projects for Step 2 (full application)
• Winter 2025: Applicants notified of status, finalists may receive follow up questions
• Early 2026: Full slate of 2025 Development grantees announced
• FOR DETAILS AND TO APPLY VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE