Have an idea for a great public service initiative that needs a funding boost?

If you're with a small-media company, then you should apply for the Community Journalism Public Service Initiative from the Associated Press Media Editors.

Media companies in metropolitan areas (MSA) of 100,000 or fewer people are encouraged to apply for the first-ever grant. The recipient will receive $1,000 to jump-start the initiative and a trip to the annual APME conference to present the project.

"APME is proud to roll out this new opportunity for smaller media outlets," said Bob Heisse, APME president and executive editor of the Centre Daily Times in State College, PA. "We look forward to hearing about and sharing what the winner accomplishes."

It's easy to enter: Just draft a proposal of 500 words or less and include examples of how you would approach the project. It should be multiplatform, include social media and address a long-standing community issue.

To apply, go to http://www.tfaforms.com/232227 and fill out the online form. The deadline for applications is Feb. 26. The grant will be awarded in March.

Here are more details:

The Grant: A $1,000 grant will be given to a small-media company for a public service project that addresses a long-standing community issue. If results are shown, a representative also would receive an expenses-paid trip (up to $1,000) to the APME conference in September in Nashville,Tenn.

Eligibility: The media company must have a website and serve a metropolitan area (MSA) of 100,000 or fewer people. Preference will be given to Associated Press members.

Expectations: The project should use print and digital platforms and include social media and/or a mobile strategy. It should be considered entrepreneurial and should have the potential to be used elsewhere, including by a larger media company. Even though the project can be an ongoing series and continue after the APME conference, there will an expectation that a part of the project will be published before Aug. 1. The Innovator/Great Ideas Committee will contact the grant recipient in early August to determine progress on the initiative.

To apply: Go to http://www.tfaforms.com/232227 to submit your proposal of 500 words or less, including examples of how you would tackle the project. The form will also prompt you to give your company’s newsroom staffing, website page views per month and your newspaper’s circulation or audience size.

Deadline: Feb. 26. The winner will be notified in March.

For more information, contact Joe Hight at jhight@opubco.com or David Arkin at darkin@corp.gatehousemedia.com