Call for Proposals for Ocean Story Grants 2021

Deadline: 25-Feb-21

Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering reporting grants to support the production of investigative stories that will call attention to critical ocean issues.

The world relies on the oceans to support the needs of their growing population, whether those needs be sustenance, economic growth, climate regulation or even the air they breathe.

Through this reporting grant, EJN will commission stories that seek to investigate emerging and long-standing issues facing ocean conservation and sustainable use to capture the importance and urgency of the threats facing our world’s waters. These grants are part of a larger project being carried out by EJN to try and increase and improve reporting on ocean issues.

Story Themes

EJN welcomes any story ideas that will investigate threats to the conservation or sustainable use of the oceans.

Before submitting your application, EJN suggests applicants review Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The targets under this SDG highlight some of the most pressing issues facing the oceans, including marine pollution, ocean acidification and overfishing. They will give special consideration to pitches that relate to one or more of these targets, as well as to proposals that will examine intersections between the Covid-19 pandemic and ocean conservation.

Proposals that focus on topics or stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of media coverage or don’t provide unique angles to ocean challenges are less likely to be selected.

Story Approach & Format

EJN expects to award 4-6 grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the proposal and needs outlined in the budget submission. They will consider larger grant amounts for stories using innovative or investigative approaches that may be more costly and time-consuming.

Stories can be produced in any language. However, applicants who intend to write or produce stories in their local language need to also include an English translation. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.

Eligibility Criteria

For the purposes of this grant opportunity, they will be accepting applications in both English and Portuguese. Applications written in a language other than these will not be considered. Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or Portuguese, or have a translator available to assist with communication with Internews staff. Writing samples can be in any language, but will be subject to machine translation for judging.
Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with experience in investigative reporting and covering environmental issues. They encourage applications from freelancer reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local and community-based.
They are seeking to support both early-career and senior journalists with many years of reporting experience. They’ll accept both individual and group applications, but for the latter we ask that the application is made in the name of one lead applicant who will receive the grant on the group’s behalf, if awarded.

Judging Criteria

Applicants should consider the following points when devising their story proposals.

Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why does this story matter and to whom? Are the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
Angle: If the story has been covered, does your proposal bring new insights to the topic or offer a fresh angle?
Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and urge action?
Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.

For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/ocean-story-grants-2021