Apply Now: Seed Grant Program for Media Outlets (Nepal)

Deadline: 15-Feb-2026

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering grants of up to €4,500 to support Nepal-based media outlets in creating new media programming on natural resource management and green growth. The initiative funds pilot programmes that improve governance, transparency, and community participation while amplifying Indigenous and marginalized voices.

Programme Overview

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN), an initiative of Internews, is inviting applications from media outlets in Nepal to develop new media programming focused on natural resource management and green growth.

The grants are designed to seed new media products, such as programmes, columns, or dedicated sections, or to integrate these themes into existing popular media formats. This opportunity is not a traditional reporting grant or fellowship but a programme development and pilot funding initiative.

Purpose and Objectives

The programme aims to strengthen environmental journalism in Nepal by supporting media initiatives that:

• Improve governance and transparency in natural resource management

• Address corruption and mismanagement of natural resources

• Promote fair benefit sharing and community participation

• Support effective environmental policies and sustainable practices

• Protect ecosystems from unplanned and harmful development

• Amplify Indigenous and local solutions that strengthen green growth and climate resilience

Key Focus Areas

EJN is particularly interested in media programming that:

• Highlights governance challenges in forestry, land, water, energy, or extractive sectors

• Creates space for constructive public dialogue on environmental decision-making

• Informs communities and increases public pressure on policymakers

• Elevates voices of marginalized, Indigenous, and minority communities

• Connects environmental protection with inclusive economic development

What the Grant Supports

Supported Media Activities

The grant supports the design and pilot of new media programming, including:

• New programmes, columns, or content series

• New sections within existing media platforms

• Innovative multimedia or cross-platform storytelling formats

Each selected media outlet must produce at least two stories or episodes during the grant period as proof of concept.

This funding does not support:

• Regular reporting series

• One-off fellowship stories

• Ongoing newsroom operational costs

Grant Amount

• Maximum grant amount: €4,500

• Co-financing is allowed and encouraged, but not required

• Any co-financing must be clearly disclosed in the application

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

• Media outlets based in Nepal

• Platforms including:

  • Newspapers

  • Online media

  • Radio

  • Television

  • Multimedia platforms

  • Social media channels

Applicants must propose one new media programming idea aligned with the programme themes.

Ineligible Applicants

• More than one application from the same media outlet will not be accepted

• Media outlets selected in the first or second cohorts of this initiative are not eligible to apply again

Why This Grant Matters

This initiative supports:

• Stronger environmental accountability journalism in Nepal

• Increased visibility for underrepresented community perspectives

• Innovation in environmental media formats

• Long-term sustainability of green journalism beyond the grant period

• Media-driven public engagement on climate resilience and green growth

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

Selected media outlets will receive:

• Editorial and strategic support from a senior journalist and/or subject-matter expert

• Guidance to strengthen content quality, accuracy, and impact during the grant period

Project Timeline

• Notification of successful applicants: March 2026

• Project start: March 2026

• Project duration: Up to 6 months

• Project completion deadline: End of September 2026

Rights, Attribution, and Disclosure Requirements

Content Rights

For projects involving published material:

• Internews, EJN, their partners, and the grant funder will have the right to edit, publish, broadcast, and distribute the content freely

Mandatory Attribution

All published content must include the following tagline:

“This story/program was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.”

Language Requirements

• Applications may be submitted in English or Nepali

• Applicants must have working proficiency in one of these languages or access to a translator

Responsible Use of AI and Ethical Standards

Applicants must:

• Clearly disclose any use of generative AI tools in developing their proposals

• Ensure all submitted content is original and ethically produced

EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants for:

• Plagiarism

• Submitting AI-generated content as original work

• Other forms of unethical or improper professional conduct

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are reviewed by an international panel of judges, including Internews staff and environmental journalism experts.

Evaluation criteria include:

• Overall quality of the proposal

• Relevance to programme objectives and focus areas

• Potential impact and audience reach

• Innovation and originality of the media programming idea

• Sustainability beyond the grant period

• Financial clarity and feasibility

• Applicant’s capacity to implement the project successfully

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Proposal

Develop a clear proposal outlining:

• The new media programming idea

• Target audience and platform

• How the programme addresses natural resource governance and green growth

• Expected outcomes and impact

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A completed online application form

• A simple budget using the required template

• A signed letter of support on official letterhead confirming the outlet will publish the content

• Two samples of previous work or links to relevant reports

If requesting equipment funding, clearly explain how the equipment contributes to expected outputs and outcomes.

Step 3: Submit Before the Deadline

• Application deadline: February 15, 2026

• Time: 11:59 PM (Asia/Kathmandu)

Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing regular reporting instead of a new media programme

• Submitting more than one application per outlet

• Failing to disclose co-financing or AI tool usage

• Providing unclear budgets or unsupported equipment requests

• Missing required documents or signatures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum grant amount?

Up to €4,500 per selected media outlet.

2. Can freelancers apply individually?

No. Applications must be submitted by media outlets, not individual journalists.

3. Is co-financing mandatory?

No. Co-financing is optional but encouraged and must be disclosed if available.

4. How many stories or episodes must be produced?

Each grantee must produce at least two stories or episodes.

5. Are AI tools allowed in proposal development?

Yes, but applicants must fully disclose their use of generative AI tools.

6. What languages are accepted for applications?

Applications may be submitted in English or Nepali.

7. When will projects be completed?

All projects must be completed within six months, by September 2026.

Conclusion

The Internews Earth Journalism Network grants offer Nepalese media outlets a unique opportunity to innovate environmental journalism while strengthening accountability, transparency, and community voices. By funding new media programming on natural resource management and green growth, EJN aims to support impactful journalism that drives informed public dialogue and sustainable change.

For more information, visit EJN.