Deadline: 17-Mar-23
The Asia New Zealand Foundation has launched its media travel grants programme that offers New Zealand journalists the chance to travel independently to Asia to research and prepare stories – to help demystify Asia for New Zealand audiences.
The Foundation will still be funding projects in Asia, with proposals having to take into account issues with visas, border closures, and travel bans due to COVID-19 restrictions in some Asian nations.
Eligible Funds
The grant can be used to cover most work-related costs, including return economy airfares, insurance, accommodation and visa and airport taxes.Please note the Foundation:
- May not be able to fund the full amount of some projects.
- Funds visits to Asia of up to three weeks’ duration.
- Does not make travel arrangements for media travel grant recipients and cannot sponsor visas. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate visas for your travel.
Eligible Projects
The Foundation will consider proposals that seek to increase New Zealanders’ understanding of the Asia region, and proposals that promote themes of economic, political, social or strategic change in Asia – and the implications of these changes for New Zealand.
Ineligible Projects
Proposals that are unlikely to succeed include:
- Proposals in which journalism is not the core reason for travel. The Foundation is unlikely to approve grant applications from people who are travelling to Asia for another reason (e.g. family holidays, competing in a sports event) and plan to write stories for publication on the side.
- Applications with a purely travel focus (e.g. a cycling tour of Japan) are unlikely to be successful.
- Single-story proposals are unlikely to succeed, as are single-person interviews that could be conducted by telephone.
- Applications from journalists based offshore are less likely to succeed. New Zealand-based journalists will have preference.
- Note for television crews: the Foundation is unable to support travel by more than two people on the same project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant must be:
- Either working as journalists for New Zealand news organisations or as freelance journalists.
- New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
- Preference will be given to candidates who:
- Are interested in deepening their knowledge of Asia.
- Have a proven track record in journalism.
- Are currently based in New Zealand.
- Can provide a stimulating, well-researched and focused proposal outlining story ideas.
- Can demonstrate that their material is likely to reach a substantial audience.
- Journalists working for news organisations should provide a letter of support from their employer. Freelancers should provide correspondence showing that one or more news organisation(s) will publish/broadcast work resulting from the proposed project.
Ineligible
- The Foundation is not currently funding projects that involve international travel to countries that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against travelling to.
For more information, visit Asia New Zealand Foundation.