Deadline: 18-Dec-20
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering reporting grants to support the production of in-depth stories that highlight previously untold threats to global biodiversity or explore new conservation-based solutions.
This is the first round of story grants under the re-launch of the Biodiversity Media Initiative, with financial support from Arcadia. EJN is looking to capture the important of these losses by commissioning a series of stories that investigate new threats to species diversity around the world, as well as innovative, potentially-scalable conservation solutions.
Story Themes
- EJN welcomes all story ideas, but special consideration will be given to applicants looking to conduct investigative or enterprise reporting on biodiversity or conservation topics. For this round they are particularly interested in reading proposals that will examine intersections between the Covid-19 pandemic and biodiversity conservation.
- As EJN is looking to bring global awareness to new threats or solutions, 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 are less likely to be selected.
Funding Information
- They expect to award between 6-10 grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the proposal and needs. They will consider larger grant amounts for stories using innovative or investigative approaches that may be more costly and time-consuming.
Eligibility Criteria
- For the purposes of this grant call, EJN is only accepting applications for stories focused on the countries listed on the website. They will also consider applications for stories about Russia, or by Russian journalists. They will prioritize applications from reporters based in the countries listed, though journalists from any country can apply.
- Applications are open to journalists (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with experience in investigative reporting and covering environmental issues. They encourage applications from freelancers 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 they ask that the application is made in the name of one lead applicant who will receive the grant on the groups behalf, if awarded.
Format
- Applicants should provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided below. They have not set a specific amount because they are asking you to consider what you’ll need to do this type of reporting. They do ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for costs necessary for reporting without being extraneous. They expect that stories will be produced with equipment the applicant already has access to (including cameras, drones, lighting, tripods, etc.) and will not consider budgets that heavily focus on producing new supplies.
- 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.
- Those who are awarded grants are free to publish or broadcast their stories in their affiliated media as long as EJN and Arcadia are also given rights to edit, publish, broadcast and distribute them freely. Freelance reporters should demonstrate a plan for publication or broadcast and are encouraged to provide a letter of interest from the editor.
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? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
- Angle: If the story has been covered by mainstream media, does your proposal bring new insights into 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 visualisation will be considered a plus.
For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/biodiversity-story-grants-2020