Deadline: 20-Oct-2025
The Asia Media Centre Media Travel Grants provide New Zealand journalists with funding to travel independently to Asia to research and prepare stories – to help demystify Asia for New Zealand audiences.
Media Travel Grants are offered through the Foundation’s Asia Media Centre, which was set up to help improve the breadth and depth of coverage of Asia issues in the New Zealand media. Applications that provide detailed information about proposed features and interviewees, outlets for the stories, supporting letters from relevant editors or producers, costs and itineraries are more likely to be accepted.
Proposals where journalism is not the core reason for travel are unlikely to succeed, and the Asia Media Centre is unlikely to approve applications from those travelling to Asia for other reasons while planning to write on the side. Applications with a purely travel focus, such as a cycling tour of Japan, will also be unsuccessful. Single-story proposals, or interviews that could be conducted by telephone, are not encouraged. For television crews, support is limited to no more than two people per project.
The grant may be used to cover most work-related expenses, including return economy airfares, insurance, accommodation, visas, and airport taxes. The Foundation may not be able to fully fund all projects, but it supports visits of up to three weeks. Travel arrangements and visas remain the responsibility of the recipients, who must ensure they meet all entry requirements before applying.
Applicants must be working journalists for New Zealand news organisations or freelance journalists based in New Zealand, and they must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Preference is given to those with an interest in deepening their knowledge of Asia, a proven track record in journalism, a strong and well-researched proposal, and evidence that their material will reach a substantial audience. Journalists employed in news organisations should provide a letter of support from their employer, while freelancers must include correspondence showing that outlets are willing to publish or broadcast their work.
Applications are assessed competitively by a panel that includes newsroom representatives, with outcomes communicated around three weeks after submission. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of October. This round is for travel plans that are finalised no later than June 2026.
To apply, journalists need to complete the online application form and prepare their CV, a detailed project proposal, a project budget, and supporting correspondence from publishers or broadcasters. The project proposal should clearly outline the idea’s newsworthiness, proposed locations, interviewees, itinerary, intended audience, expected outputs, and any prior experience with the region or subject. The project budget must include estimated costs for travel, accommodation, visas, insurance, local transport, per diems, and sundries such as interpreters or drivers. Applications close on 20 October 2025.
For more information, visit Asia New Zealand Foundation.
