What
Upcoming deadlines for global grants applications and other opportunities
This selection is aimed at media workers, practitioners, researchers and journalists. More information can be found by following the links under each summary.
All opportunities are in chronological order.
Good luck!
Remember to check out our annual PMA Global Grant scheme.
Featured Opportunities
One World Media Awards 2020
Deadline: 13 February 2020
One World Media will be officially opening the One World Media Awards 2020 for entries on Jan 7th 2020! Across 15 categories, including Digital Media, Environmental Reporting, Feature, Refugee Reporting and more, the awards recognise and celebrate the best media coverage of developing countries.
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2020
Deadline: 15 February 2020
“UNESCO invites the governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions, as well as international and regional professional non-governmental organizations, active in the field of press freedom, to nominate candidates for next year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.”
The prize is $25,000, which will be awarded on 23 April 2020 during the World Press Freedom Conference in The Hague.
Calls on organisations to submit session proposals are by 10 January 2020 and individuals to pre-register attendance by 6 March 2020.
Journalism training opportunity: How can solutions journalism enhance how we report on migration?20
Deadline: Throughout 2020
Are you a journalist based in the EU and covering (or interested in covering) migration?
The Local’s journalists have developed a curriculum for applying the techniques of solutions journalism to migration reporting as part of an EU-wide project, MAX (Maximising Migrants’ Contributions to Society). Funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, MAX aims to expand the public narrative around immigration in Europe and highlight stories of real people who have migrated and the communities they have joined.
Month by month
Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship
Deadline: 3 February 2020
The new wave of applications is now open for the Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship. To find out what they are looking for and what you can get out of the fellowship, watch the video and click on the ‘More Info’ button below.
One World Media Awards 2020
Deadline: 13 February 2020
One World Media will be officially opening the One World Media Awards 2020 for entries on Jan 7th 2020! Across 15 categories, including Digital Media, Environmental Reporting, Feature, Refugee Reporting and more, the awards recognise and celebrate the best media coverage of developing countries.
The awards are a “unique opportunity to be recognised by some of the industry’s top professionals and to gain a wider audience for your work” and are “diverse and open to entries from anywhere in the world.”
The Southern African Journalists’ Bursary
Deadline: 15 February 2020
“International Journalists’ Programmes (IJP) offer a bursary to up to six young Southern African (SADC-Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe + Kenia) and up to five young German journalists. For two months the Southern African delegates will have the chance to work in Germany. They will be integrated into the day-to-day journalism of their host newsroom while also researching stories for their home media.”
[Text taken from International Journalists’ Programmes]
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2020
Deadline: 15 February 2020
“UNESCO invites the governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions, as well as international and regional professional non-governmental organizations, active in the field of press freedom, to nominate candidates for next year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.”
The prize is $25,000, which will be awarded on 23 April 2020 during the World Press Freedom Conference in The Hague.
Calls on organisations to submit session proposals are by 10 January 2020 and individuals to pre-register attendance by 6 March 2020.
[Text taken from UNESCO]
Leipzig Prize for the Freedom and Future of the Media 2020
Deadline: 29 February 2020
“The prize is intended for distinguished journalists, publishers and media institutions from around the world that are committed to the cause of protecting and expanding freedom of the press, and in doing so display a willingness to take risks, great personal commitment, persistence, courage and a firm belief in democracy.
Normally, the award ceremony takes place on 8 October every year, on the eve of 9 October that was crucial for the events in the fall of 1989. The jury consisting of the members of Foundation Council and Foundation Board decides on the award of the prize. We are awaiting your suggestions. Please notify us with a brief informal reasoning and a vita of your candidate.”
[Text taken from Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig]
2020 Public Media Journalists Association Awards (US)
Deadline: 1 March 2020
Entries are open for the 2020 PMJA annual awards. This opportunity allows local public radio stations or regional public radio networks to submit work under several categories, including Breaking News, Short Documentary, Long Documentary, Multi-Media Presentation, Podcast as well as Collaborative effort (where two or more local public radio stations collaborate on productions).
For more information on eligibility and criteria for each category, follow the link below:
The Breakthrough Journalism Award
Deadline: 1 March 2020
“The Pulitzer Center is now accepting submissions for the inaugural Breakthrough Journalism Award. This annual $10,000 award, made possible through the generous support of Eva Lohrer, seeks to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Pulitzer Center-affiliated freelance journalists who report on under-reported issues that affect us all.”
Current and former Pulitzer Center grantees and Campus Consortium reporting fellows who are early career (less than 10 years experience) can apply.
[Text sourced from the Pulitzer Center]
Investigate Reporting in the Digital Age
Duration: 3 February – 1 March 2020
“This course will provide both beginner journalists and advanced investigators with great new tools to use. A team of four journalists with decades of experience in investigating everything from political corruption to environmental hazards to human rights atrocities will show off the latest tools for organizing collaborations, for digging deeper with digital tools, for tapping crowd-sourcing to investigate and for tackling seemingly impossible stories.”
[Text sourced from Journalism Courses]
Lyra McKee Investigative Journalism Training Bursary
Deadline: 19 April 2020
This bursary provided by the Centre for Investigative Journalism is “for everyone who wants to attend #CIJSummer Investigative Journalism Conference 2020 on 25-27 June in London, but cannot do it for financial reasons.”
They welcome “applications from people of colour, people from poorer backgrounds, people with disabilities, carers, members of the LGBTQ+ community, travellers and anyone who cannot afford to pay for the #CIJSummer training. It is open to UK and republic of Ireland residents only. Applicants must be 18 years old.”
[Text sourced from CIJ]
Beyond survival? A new Human Resources research project for PMA members
Deadline: Ongoing
Our new project aims to develop people management strategies to ensure the development and growth of PSMs in the fragmented digital media landscape.
In an exciting new research project, the Public Media Alliance (PMA) has partnered with Peter Block from the University of Westminster’s Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), to launch a project that will review the processes by which participating PSM’s manage the employer-employee relationship during the employment life-cycle.
The purpose is to highlight issues for the sector at large, identify common themes of staff development needs, and offer some practical recommendations for good practice to the PMA community.
BFI Young Audiences Content Fund
Deadline: Ongoing
The BFI is administering a three-year pilot fund of £57 million, derived from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), to help expand the children’s content industry in the UK.
The Fund seeks to support public service broadcasting content aimed at audiences under 18 with the creation and development of new programmes which include PSB values by reflecting UK identity and children’s lives (both regionally and nationally), educating and informing audiences as well as representing more diversity and alternative voices.
‘Production and development awards will contribute to the funding of programmes, shown on television and online platforms, that have public service broadcasting values in live-action and animation and across all genres.’
[Text from BFI]
ICFJ Knight Fellowships
Deadline: Ongoing
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is looking for outstanding journalists with a background in digital journalism, training or coaching, to work “in key areas of innovation such as newsroom transformation, entrepreneurship and business models, technology creation and adoption, diverse voices in news, investigative reporting, digital security and specialized reporting on health, gender and development.”
“Fellowships are typically a minimum of one year, and may be extended by ICFJ depending on funding and the opportunity for greater impact. Fellowship projects must produce measurable results.”
Proposals for fellowships are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year but there are other opportunities to apply for that can be found on the website.
[Text from ICFJ]
Deadline: Ongoing
“The Assistance Desk of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) provides financial and administrative assistance to professional journalists and citizen-journalists who have been the victims of reprisals because of their reporting.” Individuals, NGOs and media outlets can apply for support.
[Text sourced from RSF]
Deadline: Ongoing
The Chilean digital magazine Puroperiodismo, is inviting journalists, developers, designers and innovators residing in Latin America and the Caribbean to participate in this project.
Media professionals who are currently exploring new technologies, approaches to reporting, developing an app or similar are encourage to talk about it in the magazine.
Entries are on an ongoing basis
NPR Story Lab
Deadline: Rolling
“The NPR Story Lab is looking for great ideas. In fact, we’re an idea hub – generating new segments for our news programs, creating radio shows, and launching new podcasts. We want to collaborate with member stations and independent producers. We want to work with new talent that brings a fresh perspective to NPR. We want to keep innovating and leading in the podcast and radio world. The NPR Story Lab is a true creative studio at the heart of NPR, one that fosters experimentation and continues to evolve the sound of public radio. Tell us your ideas, and let’s make stuff!”
Are you interested in submitting your story or pitching a programme idea to America’s foremost public radio station? NPR are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Get involved via the link below.
Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa
Deadline: Ongoing
“OSIEA plays an active role in encouraging open, informed dialogue on issues of importance in Eastern Africa. Through a combination of grant making, advocacy and convening power, OSIEA is able to support and amplify the voices of pro-democracy organizations and individuals in the region and to strengthen their capacity to hold their governments accountable. This includes efforts to defend and support rights activists and pro-democracy advocates who come under attack for their work. ”
The eligibility criteria includes supporting projects based around media and access to information. The OSIEA is available to both organisations and individuals.
Interested grant seekers should consult the OSIEA website for more information on eligibility and application guidelines.
Deadline: Ongoing
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting offers several ongoing grants “to support in-depth, high-impact reporting on topics of global importance, including investigations of systemic problems that are often overlooked by mainstream U.S. media.” These include the International Reporting Grant, Rainforest Journalism Fund and Bringing Stories Home: Local Reporting Grants. Freelance and staff journalists from news outlets can apply.
Find out how to apply and the other grants available via the link below.
Training: Online Courses for Media Professionals
Deadline: Ongoing
A selection of online tutorials created by the European Journalism Centre and supported by the Google News Initiative.
The diverse new set of courses include ‘Where to hire a data journalist’; ‘Python for journalists’ as well as “Google Search for Journalists”; “Verification: the basics” and “Managing Data Journalism Projects” among many others.
All courses are free and vary in difficulty. Courses can be completed at the participant’s preferred pace.
Transatlantic Media Fellowship
Deadline: Ongoing
European media representatives are invited to apply for this fellowship, which will give them the chance to travel across the United States and expand on their knowledge of America and its citizens.
Organized by the Transatlantic Media Network (TMN), the goal of this fellowship is to strengthen the existing transatlantic relationship and improving mutual understanding among journalists and media professionals of both sides of the Atlantic.
The visiting journalists will follow an individual itinerary, created on their skills and interests, which will take them mostly around Washington DC and to visit TMN’s partner institutions, such as universities and journalism schools.
The fellowships may have a different duration but they will all be up to three months.
Last updated on 14 February 2020.
If you have any suggestions for grants applications and other opportunities please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.