Guidelines and Eligibility for the Catapult Research Grant:

Please carefully review the following section to determine if the Catapult Research Grant is a good fit for your project before applying.

Eligibility

Applicants (Project Director) must be 18 years or older and cannot be enrolled in an academic institution.
Applicants must be based in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories.
Applicants can only submit one project per cycle. Catapult does not support filmmakers who are actively contracted with another CFF-supported project and have not completed the final deliverables listed in the Guidelines sections.
Applicants must be able to commit attendance and participation for the full program (March - June 2026) with a final report due in September 2026. This includes live virtual sessions as a cohort and one-on-one calls with advisors (approximately 7-10 hours per month).
Applicants should have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer) as demonstrated via key creative personnel filmography and/or visual samples. This may include, but is not limited to, credits and/or materials from a previously completed feature-length documentary.
Projects must be feature-length or short-form documentaries in the research or early development stage; we do not support series at this time.
Catapult does not make 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 confirm the designated organization in order to receive funding. Learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions»

Artful, compelling storytelling that moves you, with a preference for character-driven narratives over lesson or agenda-heavy projects
Filmmakers with a connection to the story
Timeliness of the story and contemporary relevance
Uniqueness and creativity of the cinematic approach
Clarity and specificity of how the Catapult grant will impact project at this stage
Clarity and specificity of how mentorship will impact the filmmaker and their goals

Grantees will receive $10,000 USD per project. 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 the use of funds, reporting, and deliverables.
Program commitment includes attendance of orientation, mentorship meetings, and group sessions, as well as a final report in September.
Upon completion of the award period, grantees must submit a report outlining use of the funds. 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.