FAQs

What is hyperlocal media?

What is hyperlocal media?
The term can mean different things to different people, but for the purpose of NESTA's call for ideas, we are using the definition of:

Online news or content services pertaining to a town, village, single postcode or other small, geographically defined community.

Who is eligible?
A list of eligibility criteria can be found here.

Do I need to be a registered company to apply?
We will accept proposals from individuals as well as organisations.

Why do you want proposals based on mobile technologies?
Mobile technologies offer two important drivers for hyperlocal media: 1. More people, more often are using mobile to access rich content services via the internet. 2. Increasingly, these platforms are location-aware. We want to prototype services that make the most of these opportunities. For example, augmented reality, GPS tracking, mobile social media.

The programme talks about "next generation" services. What do you mean by this?
We are not looking to fund services that are already up and running but we will prioritise proposals for services that use new and emerging technologies and engage with audiences in new ways.

Can I get funding for my Wordpress Blog?
Please see above.

How much funding are you offering?
You can apply for grant funding up to £50,000. You are welcome to add your own resources/funding to your proposal but match funding is not a requirement.

What about my Intellectual Property?
IP is retained by the person/organisation that develops it. However, non-personal data, information, documents and materials from running the prototypes and the project will be made available to NESTA/Technology Strategy Board for the purposes of research designed to provide the sector with useful knowledge/insights and to promote the programme. NESTA plans to publish findings from the programme.

You ask for "evidence" for things like audience demand or revenue in the application form. What do you mean by this?
The programme wants you to think carefully about what demand there is for your proposed service. We are not expecting large-scale or expensive research to back up your proposal, but we do want to see some proof that your proposal is useful or needed by audiences. Likewise, in testing new business models, we are keen to support projects that can demonstrate that they have a fighting chance of being sustainable.

Why do you ask for a video?
We want to hear the idea presented by the team proposing to deliver it. It is also an opportunity to make your idea jump out from a written application form. Because Destination Local is designed as a knowledge-sharing programme, we want others to see the good ideas being generated too. We think that this may also encourage awareness and potentially collaboration.

If I get funding when how long do I have in order to develop the new service?
Projects will need to start in early July and deliver a new or updated service by the end of February 2013.

Can I change any of the information in my application form once I've submitted it to NESTA?
No. Unfortunately once submitted you cannot change any information.

Can I submit more than one application?
No, so make your proposal count.

What is the difference between the Technology Strategy Board Destination Local competition and NESTA's?
NESTA's call for ideas is broadly about testing new content, services and business models, relevant to mobile platforms.

The Technology Strategy Board call is about the development of new technology and software.

Can I apply to the Technology Strategy Board Destination Local competition as well as NESTA?
Yes, but you need to let NESTA know. There is a question in the application form that asks if you have applied for Technology Strategy board funding.

Section one of the application form asks me to describe my organisation but I'm applying as an individual what should I do?
This section is an opportunity for you to tell us a about yourself, your relevant experience and why you're interested in developing a new hyperlocal service.

What is the role of the strategic partners?
Nesta have assembled a range of partners to provide insights, help and support.  Funded proposals will not be obliged to work with them or to use their help if they do not want to.

Is the call just about developing mobile apps?
No. We are interested in the content and services that run on these platforms more than the technology itself. We have highlighted mobile as a growth opportunity because audiences are using them more to access content.

If I don't know anything about the technology for these devices am I disadvantaged?
Ability to deliver the service is one of our key criteria. However in the application form we do give you an opportunity to let us know if you need additional support.  We will accept collaborative proposals so you may want to think about working with a technology partner and submitting a join application.