Media Grants to Support 30×30 Marine Conservation Reporting 2026-2027

Deadline: 10-Aug-2026

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering five media grants of up to USD 10,000 each to support newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries producing in-depth journalism on marine conservation and the global 30×30 marine target. The grants fund reporting projects, journalist training, and initiatives that strengthen public understanding of marine protected areas, ocean governance, and biodiversity conservation.

Earth Journalism Network Media Grants

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting applications from eligible newsrooms and media organizations to strengthen journalism covering marine conservation and progress toward the 30×30 marine conservation target.

The grants are designed to improve the quality, depth, and reach of reporting on marine biodiversity, ocean governance, climate change, and conservation policies. Through this initiative, EJN seeks to help journalists produce evidence-based reporting, build newsroom capacity, and increase public awareness of challenges and solutions related to protecting marine ecosystems.

Program Overview

Program Name

Earth Journalism Network Media Grants

Organizer

Earth Journalism Network (EJN)

Grant Type

Media Grants

Funding Amount

Up to USD 10,000 per project

Number of Grants

Five grants

Eligible Applicants

Newsrooms and media organizations in eligible coastal countries

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Strengthen reporting on marine conservation.
• Improve public understanding of the 30×30 marine target.
• Support investigative and in-depth journalism.
• Build newsroom capacity through journalist training.
• Encourage evidence-based reporting on ocean issues.
• Promote accountability in marine conservation efforts.
• Increase awareness of biodiversity protection.
• Highlight innovative conservation approaches.

Focus Areas

Projects may focus on topics such as:

• Government actions supporting the 30×30 marine conservation target.
• Funding for marine conservation.
• Marine protected area (MPA) effectiveness.
• Sustainable fisheries management.
• Threats from commercial fishing.
• Marine industries and their environmental impacts.
• Indigenous Peoples’ and local community participation in conservation.
• Technology and innovation for marine conservation.
• Marine conservation policies and governance.
• Conservation finance.
• High seas protection.
• Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Ocean biodiversity conservation.

Funding Available

EJN will award:

• Five media grants
• Up to USD 10,000 per grant

Grant distribution includes:

• One grant for Ghana
• One grant for Mexico
• One grant for the Philippines
• Two grants open to applicants from any eligible coastal country

Projects requesting smaller budgets may be more competitive, although larger requests may be considered for particularly innovative initiatives.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Investigative reporting projects.
• In-depth journalism series.
• Multimedia storytelling.
• Journalist training programs.
• Newsroom capacity-building initiatives.
• Collaborative reporting.
• Marine conservation reporting.
• Public awareness journalism.
• Editorial projects focused on ocean conservation.

Projects may publish content in any language appropriate for their target audience.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include news-producing organizations located in coastal countries with a marine border, including:

• Newspapers.
• Online news platforms.
• Radio organizations.
• Television broadcasters.
• Multimedia media organizations.
• Journalism networks.
• Journalist collectives.
• Journalism support organizations.
• Other organizations producing and distributing news.

Priority Countries

Applications from the following countries will receive priority consideration:

• Ghana
• Mexico
• Philippines

Applicants from other eligible coastal countries are also encouraged to apply.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following organizations are not eligible:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Academic institutions.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Environmental organizations that do not primarily produce journalism.
• Organizations that are not engaged in news production and distribution.

Language Requirements

Applications must be submitted in:

• English, or
• Spanish

Applicants should have:

• A working knowledge of English or Spanish, or
• Access to a translator for communication with Internews staff.

Published reporting may be produced in any language suitable for the intended audience.

Why This Grant Matters

Healthy oceans are essential for biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience. However, many marine conservation issues receive limited media attention despite their global significance.

The Earth Journalism Network Media Grants help strengthen environmental journalism by enabling news organizations to investigate marine conservation challenges, hold decision-makers accountable, and inform the public about progress toward protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 under the global 30×30 conservation goal.

How to Apply

Follow these steps:

1. Confirm your organization’s eligibility.
2. Develop a reporting or journalism capacity-building project.
3. Prepare a realistic project budget.
4. Complete the application in English or Spanish.
5. Submit the application before the deadline.
6. Respond to any follow-up requests from EJN if required.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on underreported marine conservation issues.
• Clearly explain the public interest value of your project.
• Demonstrate your newsroom’s reporting capacity.
• Include a realistic editorial and production plan.
• Present a well-justified budget.
• Highlight innovative storytelling approaches.
• Show how your reporting will reach relevant audiences.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Applying as an NGO or academic institution instead of a newsroom.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Proposing projects unrelated to marine conservation.
• Requesting an unrealistic budget.
• Failing to explain the expected journalism impact.
• Missing language requirements.
• Submitting applications after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Earth Journalism Network Media Grants Program?

It is a grant program that supports newsrooms and media organizations producing journalism on marine conservation and the global 30×30 marine protection target.

How much funding is available?

Each selected organization may receive up to USD 10,000.

How many grants will be awarded?

A total of five grants will be awarded.

Who can apply?

Eligible newsrooms, media organizations, journalism networks, broadcasters, and other news-producing organizations located in coastal countries may apply.

Are NGOs or universities eligible?

No. Civil society organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and environmental organizations that are not news producers are not eligible.

Which countries receive priority?

Applications from Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines receive priority consideration, although eligible organizations from other coastal countries may also apply.

What topics should projects cover?

Projects should focus on marine conservation, the 30×30 target, marine protected areas, fisheries, ocean governance, Indigenous and local community participation, conservation finance, climate change, and related marine environmental issues.

Conclusion

The Earth Journalism Network Media Grants provide an excellent opportunity for newsrooms and media organizations to strengthen public understanding of marine conservation through high-quality journalism. By supporting investigative reporting, newsroom capacity building, and innovative storytelling, the program contributes to informed public dialogue and accountability while advancing global efforts to protect marine biodiversity and achieve the 30×30 marine conservation target.

For more information, visit EJN.