JOURNAL SUPPORT PROGRAM

Objective

The APF aims to assist in the development of philatelic literature in respect of journals of record within Australia.  This scheme is a continuation (with slightly changed rules) of an APF program introduced in early 1987.

The Grant is designed to support struggling journals or magazines.

Qualifications

The scheme is open to both existing and proposed journals

For Existing Journals

• The applying journal in the last 3 years must have received a minimum 65 points at National Level exhibition or higher.
• The journal must have been issued at least 4 times during the previous 12 months.

For New Journals

• It must be intended that the journal be issued at least 4 times each 12 months.  New journals can include those with less than three years existence.

Method of Application

• Applications should be made initially to the relevant State Philatelic Council, and if supported, forwarded by that Council to the APF for consideration.

For Existing Journals

• The application should include copies of the Journal over the previous twelve months and a detailed budget for the Journal for a twelve month period.

For New Journals

• The application should provide details of the issuing group, the proposed purpose and content of the journal, the proposed number and size of the pages, the frequency of issue, a detailed budget for the Journal for the initial twelve month period, plus an undertaking to enter the journal into a national exhibition at the first opportunity after the first twelve months of publication.
• If the journal is already in its initial three years of issue, the application should be supported by the actual costs to date of producing the journal, with a detailed budget for the next twelve months, copies of the previous year’s issues, and an undertaking to enter the journal into a national exhibition at the first opportunity.

In addition to the above, the application must provide evidence to support the issuing organisation’s inability to finance the magazine themselves.

Improvement of the quality of the production would be an acceptable reason for an application for support.

The APF will consider such applications on the philatelic merit of the Journal and its potential contribution to Australian philately, and advise the relevant State Philatelic Council of their decision.

Nature of the Grant

Recent taxation rulings require the APF to act as a commer­cial body. Consequently support pay­ments will be made for advertising of Replica Cards and other APF products in the journal up to the amounts set out below.

Following APF agreement to support a journal

Subject to continuing qualification, support can be provided for a period of up to nine years, broken into three periods of three years.

For the support to continue for each subsequent three year period, during the expiring three year period the journal must have been awarded a minimum 65 points at National Level exhibition or higher.

• For the initial three year period, the annual support will be up to $400 per year.
• The initial payment will be made immediately following APF agreement to support.
• For the second three year period the annual support will be up to $300 per year.
• And for the final three year period the annual support will be up to $200 per year.
• These amounts will be paid annually to the publishing organisation upon receipt by the APF of copies of the journal for the previous twelve months.  These copies should be mailed direct to the Secretary, who will request the Treasurer to make the payment.
• The renewals at the end of each three year period are not automatic.  It is the responsibility of the journal to apply for each of the subsequent three year periods and to demonstrate the journal’s eligibility with proof of the awards at National or World level.  All subsequent applications are to be processed through the relevant State Council.

All applications for subsequent three year periods must be accompanied by details of the current costs associated with the production of the magazine as well as continuing evidence to support the issuing organisation’s inability to finance the magazine themselves.

Should the time fall due to make an application for a continuation of the support for a subsequent three year period, and your journal no longer meets the qualification criteria, still submit your application together with an explanation. The application will still be considered.

Possible reasons for failure to meet the qualifications are:

• Unable to produce four issues in the preceding 12 months
• No National or higher exhibition with a literature class in the preceding 3 years
• The Points received from the latest exhibition entry are less than 65 points

Retrospectivity

Journals which have previously received grants from the APF but which have not completed a nine year support cycle are eligible to receive advertising fees which would complete their nine year cycle provided they meet the relevant applicability rules noted above.  Such journals must re-apply through their relevant State Philatelic Council.

Financial Support from State Philatelic Councils

The State Councils are free to support journals from within their area of responsibility but which may be outside these guidelines.  It is suggested that Council grants should not exceed, in cash terms, those of the APF.