Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering reporting grants of USD 1,500 to journalists to produce in-depth stories on fisheries transparency, accountability, and governance. The grants support investigative and explanatory journalism on fisheries management, vessel activities, seafood supply chains, technology-driven transparency solutions, and policy frameworks. Awards are expected in February 2026, with a final publication deadline of October 31, 2026.
Overview
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN), an initiative of Internews, invites applications from professional journalists to produce in-depth, high-impact stories focused on fisheries transparency.
The grants aim to strengthen public-interest journalism that exposes opaque practices in fisheries, improves accountability, and supports sustainable and equitable management of marine resources.
What Is Fisheries Transparency?
Fisheries transparency refers to the openness and accessibility of information related to fishing activities, governance, ownership, and seafood supply chains.
Improved transparency helps:
- Address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- Strengthen fisheries management and enforcement
- Protect marine ecosystems and fish stocks
- Safeguard livelihoods and labor rights
- Enable informed policymaking and consumer choices
Priority Story Themes
Applicants should propose stories aligned with one or more of the following thematic areas.
Fisheries Management and Governance
- Impacts of companies failing to report catch volumes
- Lack of transparency in fishing laws, agreements, and regulations
- Fisheries subsidies, stock assessments, and financial contributions
- Government accountability in fisheries decision-making
Fishing Vessel Activities at Sea
- Challenges in monitoring and regulating fishing vessels
- Trawling, underreporting of catches, and transshipment practices
- Unauthorized fishing in restricted or protected areas
- Gaps in vessel ownership information
- Governance challenges of multinational fishing fleets
Seafood Supply Chains and Traceability
- Verifying sustainability and certification claims
- Weaknesses in seafood traceability systems
- Tracking seafood from harvest to consumer markets
Technology Solutions for Transparency
- Use of satellite tracking and vessel monitoring systems
- DNA testing for species and origin verification
- Generative AI and data-driven monitoring tools
- Emerging innovations improving fisheries oversight
Policy Solutions and Transparency Frameworks
- Global, regional, and national transparency frameworks
- Effectiveness of international charters and agreements
- Policy mechanisms encouraging government transparency
Grant Amount, Timeline, and Support
Funding Details
- Grant amount: USD 1,500 per story
- Awards expected: February 2026
- Final publication deadline: October 31, 2026
Mentorship and Editorial Support
Selected journalists will receive mentorship from EJN throughout the reporting and production process to strengthen storytelling quality and impact.
Eligible Expenses and Budget Rules
Proposals must include a detailed budget covering reporting costs such as:
- Travel and accommodation
- Translation and interpretation
- Data access and research expenses
- Reporter stipends
Reporter stipends must not exceed 30 percent of the total grant budget.
Safety and Ethical Reporting Considerations
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include safety planning, covering:
- Physical safety risks
- Digital security and data protection
- Mental health and well-being considerations
Ethical, responsible, and conflict-sensitive reporting is essential.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The grants are open to:
- Professional journalists in any medium (print, digital, radio, television, multimedia)
- Journalists based in any coastal country
- Reporters with experience covering environmental, fisheries, or governance issues
Additional Eligibility Notes
- Applicants with interest in cross-border or transboundary stories are particularly encouraged
- Groups or teams of journalists may apply through a single lead applicant
- The lead applicant is responsible for communication and fund management
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed story proposal aligned with fisheries transparency themes
- A clear reporting plan and production timeline
- A detailed itemized budget
- A signed letter of support from an editor confirming publication by the deadline
- Two samples of relevant, previously published work
Applications must be submitted in English. Translation support may be provided if the final story is produced in a local language.
Publication and Acknowledgement Rules
All published stories must include the following acknowledgement:
“This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.”
Stories may be republished or broadcast by the applicant’s affiliated media outlet, provided that EJN and its partners retain rights to edit, distribute, and publish the content.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Relevance to fisheries transparency
- Originality and fresh perspectives
- Potential reach and public impact
- Innovative storytelling approaches
- Feasibility and adherence to the timeline
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting proposals without a clear transparency angle
- Weak or unrealistic budgets
- Missing editor support letters
- Proposing advocacy pieces instead of reported journalism
- Overlooking safety and ethical considerations
Why These Grants Matter
Fisheries transparency is critical for addressing overfishing, environmental degradation, and governance failures in marine systems.
By supporting in-depth journalism, EJN enables stories that inform the public, influence policy debates, and contribute to more accountable and sustainable fisheries worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much funding does each EJN reporting grant provide?
Each selected story receives USD 1,500 in reporting support.
2. When will grant recipients be announced?
Awards are expected to be issued in February 2026.
3. What is the deadline for publishing funded stories?
All funded stories must be published by October 31, 2026.
4. Can journalists work in teams?
Yes. Teams may apply through one lead applicant responsible for coordination and fund management.
5. Are cross-border investigations eligible?
Yes. Cross-border and transboundary reporting proposals are strongly encouraged.
6. Is mentorship included?
Yes. Selected journalists receive mentorship throughout the story development process.
7. In what language must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted in English, even if the final story is published in another language.
Conclusion
The Earth Journalism Network’s Reporting Grants on Fisheries Transparency provide journalists with the resources and support needed to produce impactful stories on opaque fisheries systems. Through rigorous reporting, mentorship, and global dissemination, the grants contribute to stronger accountability, informed public debate, and sustainable fisheries governance.
For more information, visit EJN.