Deadline: 2-Mar-22
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting applications that offer Reporting Grants to journalists from around the world to support the production of in-depth reporting on the high seas.
Oceans are the foundation of the blue planet on which live. A vital life support system for Earth, they regulate the global climate, provide significant amounts of protein and serve as a massive carbon sink.
The interaction between the ocean, the atmosphere, and human impacts is altering both the climate and the ocean itself, and the change is intensifying. Yet the reality of what they are facing is not always known or fully understood by citizens or policymakers.
Story Themes
- They welcome story ideas that focus on the high seas – their importance and connection to climate change, biodiversity and other global issues; the threats they face; and ongoing efforts to protect and manage these areas, such as the UN’s efforts to negotiate the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty.
- Journalists may explore the impacts of ocean acidification and eutrophication, marine pollution, IUU/overfishing, seabed exploration and deep-sea mining, and the challenges and opportunities pertaining to governance and conservation, among other topics.
- They aim to support the production of stories that raise awareness about the high seas and drive conversation among communities and policy makers at the local, national, and regional level.
- They are particularly interested in cross-border collaborations and stories. 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 environmental or climate challenges are less likely to be selected.
Please note: For the purposes of this grant, they are not looking for story ideas related exclusively to near-shore waters and coastal issues.
Funding Information
They expect to award up to 10 grants with an average budget of $1200 each.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants can be from any country in the world; applicants from coastal countries are preferred.
- Groups of journalists are eligible, particularly from different countries seeking to produce a cross-border project. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds on the group’s behalf if awarded.
- For the purposes of this grant opportunity, will only be accepting applications in English, Spanish, French, Bahasa Indonesia, and Portuguese. Unfortunately, they do not have the capacity to consider applications in other languages at this time. Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or have a translator available to assist with communication with Internews staff.
- Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. They welcome applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of covering ocean issues. They encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local, and community-based.
- EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.
Requirements
- Applicants can be from any country in the world; applicants from coastal countries are preferred.
- Groups of journalists are eligible, especially those from different countries who wish to carry out a cross-border project. However, the application must be made on behalf of a primary applicant.
- Primary applicants are responsible for contacting the EJN and receiving funds on behalf of the group if awarded.
- For purposes of this grant opportunity, they will only accept applications in English, Spanish, French, Bahasa Indonesia, and Portuguese.
- Unfortunately, they are unable to accept applications in other languages at this time. Applicants must have a working knowledge of English or have a translator available to assist in communication with Internews staff
- Applications are open to journalists working in any media outlet (online, print, TV, radio) and to other media professionals with professional reporting experience.
- Nominations from beginning journalists and experienced reporters with a history of covering ocean-related issues are welcome.
- They encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations: international, national, local, and community.
For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/ocean-media-initiative-story-grants-2022-covering-the-high-seas
