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!
Around the world public media organisations and funders have also launched funds to help support producers, freelancers and creators and provide security during uncertain times. For more details about these opportunities, check out our dedicated public media funding page.
Also check out our Coronavirus resources and best practices page, which includes a list of additional funding opportunities that aim to support media professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Featured Opportunities
Deadline: 2 July
The Public Media Alliance in collaboration with Media Action Nepal and support from the UNESCO New Delhi office, is hosting a three-day workshop to develop a code of ethics to contribute towards strengthening the South Asia media environment.
The workshop is open to practicing journalists and media workers with at least three years’ experience that live and work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Maldives or Sri Lanka. It will provide an excellent networking opportunity and the space to devise strategies for reporting on conflict accurately, impartially and responsibly. The workshop is part of our new project, “Code of Ethics to Improve Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Safety of Journalists in South Asia”.
Why does media matter for development? – MOOC
The Public Media Alliance has joined forces with colleagues at the Department of International Development, University of East Anglia (UEA) to launch the free, four-week, online course via FutureLearn that explores why media matters for development.
Throughout the course, participants will cover different types of media including participatory, community, social and public media as well as media representations and how they play a vital role in development processes and social change.
The course is designed for individuals who have an interest in studying or working in the fields of media and international development and is open to all.
This course has closed but you may sign up for an alert when it reopens.
Content for PMA members: Hidden Threats in your Takeout
PMA has once again partnered with Orb Media, a research journalism non-profit organisation, which specialises in transforming “global, long-term issues of social and environmental sustainability into locally actionable information”, to provide PMA members with free, high-quality news content and resources. Their latest project explores the unintended consequences for health and the environment from food deliveries that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information can be found at the Orb Media website, while PMA members should contact PMA for access.
Month by month
BBC’s New Documentary Directors’ Initiative 2021
Deadline: 2 May 2021
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has officially opened applications for the 2021 cohort of its New Documentary Directors’ Initiative. The initiative provides four candidates with the opportunity to produce and direct their first long-form documentary for BBC Three. Contract length will coincide with the length of the production, which could range from three to five months.
Fund for Investigative Journalism Regular Grant [US Based]
Deadline: 3 May 2021
“The Fund provides grants to journalists for investigative stories that break new ground – which means they uncover wrongdoing in the public and private sectors and reveal information that was previously unknown or hidden.”
Grants can be between $5,000 and $10,000 and “cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection and equipment rental. The Fund also considers requests for small stipends.”
Proposals written for ethnic media or from journalists of colour are encouraged to apply.
How to report safely: Strategies for women journalists and their allies (MOOC)
Course dates: 3 May – 30 May
The Knight Center’s will be hosting a four-week massive open online course (MOOC), “How to report safely: Strategies for women journalists and their allies”. The course aims to teach participants how to mitigate and manage associated risks for all women and their allies. There are no scheduled live events for the course and participants may complete activities at their own pace. Hence, this MOOC is flexible and participants may complete all materials over the length of the course.
ICFJ’s webinar on new research covering disinformation against women journalists
6 May
ICFJ research for UNESCO reveals how online violence against women journalists is used to spread disinformation, undercut fact-based journalism and silence independent voices. No one knows this better than Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa, who has experienced an onslaught of orchestrated online violence — from misogynistic attacks to death threats.
Join us May 6 at 10:30 AM EDT/2:30 PM GMT to mark World Press Freedom Day by discussing this devastating trend, in a conversation with Ressa and ICFJ Global Director of Research Julie Posetti, moderated by Google News Vice President Richard Gingras. They will discuss new ICFJ-UNESCO research on online violence as a weapon of disinformation and evolving strategies for fighting back.
[Text sourced from ICFJ]
International Standards of Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists (MOOC)
Course dates: 10 May – 7 June
The University of Oxford, together with the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and UNESCO are hosting a free, online course covering the legal frameworks of freedom of expression, challenges to free speech in the digital age, journalist safety and more.
Split into five modules, the course is open to lawyers, judges, prosecutors and anyone else interested in expanding their knowledge about topics related to media freedom and freedom of expression.
If following the course in real-time, it will last for five weeks – covering one module per week – but participants can complete it at their own pace until 30 June.
Source Protection Programme
Course duration: 10 May – 30 June
“The Source Protection Programme is an advanced information security programme provided free for freelance journalists delivered by the Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Freedom of The Press Foundation. The programme will bolster the skills of a cohort of investigators committed to adversarial public interest journalism and challenging power.
The programme pilot runs 10th May – 30th June 2021 and consists of 8 weeks of free online training workshops and guest lectures from some of the world’s leading journalists and security researchers.”
[Text sourced from CIJ]
Scholarships available for journalism courses in the Netherlands [Worldwide]
Deadline: 12 May – 29 June
The Orange Knowledge Programme is offering scholarships for mid-career journalists from several developing countries to study for a short course or master’s program in the Netherlands. The scholarship will cover course fees, cost of living, visa, travel and insurance.
Applicants must be from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen and Zambia.
European Cross-border Grants
Deadline: 20 May
“This awarded European Cross-Border Grant programme (running since 2009) will support professional journalists who have good ideas for cross-border investigations and for research on European topics. The stories must be relevant to European target groups.
The project should be one that, in principle, could not be realised in this format within the remit of regular journalism, and is at the same time original, innovative and intensive. Projects can include cross-border research, networking between colleagues, and established and innovative investigative methods.
Journalismfund.eu supports costs related to journalistic research for all media. This can include travel, translation, access to pay-databases or simply time to research. We do not support fixed costs such as office costs, investments such as cameras or computers or production costs.”
[Text sourced from Journalism Fund]
UNESCO Clubs 2021 Worldwide Youth Multimedia Competition
Deadline: 31 May
The US Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations (USFUCA), UNESCO Center for Peace and World Genesis Foundation are looking for young people aged 10-24 to produce a 3-minute video, multimedia presentation, essay, artwork or any other medium that answers the following question:
“COVID-19 has tested Human Solidarity like nothing before. Based on your research, knowledge and experience, develop and submit, a Multimedia proposal/project that describes the lessons we have learned and how those lessons will shape our future. For example, our future in education, employment, development, or social aspects.”
Each finalist will be offered a plaque and certificate, and an invitation to UNESCO’s Builders of the Universe Camp where a special ceremony will take place, which will also include a scholarship to cover costs for the camp, food, accommodation and transport
ABC’S 2021 TOP 5 Media Residency Program
Deadline: 1 June
‘The ABC TOP 5 residencies provide an opportunity for applicants to experience a two-week in-house intensive placement based at the ABC.
The programs are designed to nurture the communication skills and media awareness of our emerging thinkers — to help them share their knowledge and expertise with audiences seeking credible material and informed debate.
The successful applicants will spend two weeks ‘in residence’ at ABC Radio National, working alongside some of the country’s best journalists and broadcasters, training in media communication and developing content for different ABC platforms.’
[Text sourced from ABC]
CEU Executive MBA ‘Press Freedom’ Fellowship for outstanding professionals in the media industry
Deadline: 6 June
In recognising the important role that free media play in democracy, the Central European University is looking for ‘outstanding professionals’ in the media industry for its Executive MBA ‘Press Freedom’ fellowship, launched this year.
‘The winner of the Fellowship will receive up to 50 percent reduction of the full CEU Executive MBA tuition of EUR 25.000. The fellowship will be awarded to a manager working in a broadly understood media/creative sector, working for an organization with a proven record of contributing to open and honest public debate.’
Call for anthology chapters: Audiovisual content for children and adolescents in the Nordics
Deadline: 15 June
This anthology invites contributions that further theories about industry notions of conducive production and distribution practices related to content for children and adolescents, and about children and adolescents’ reception or “produsage” – or both – of audiovisual content and their own notions of relevance and quality in a digital and thoroughly globalised media landscape.
Interested contributors are invited to submit a 500-word abstract and a short biography […] by 15 June 2021. Please note that all submissions will be peer-reviewed. Abstracts must clearly state the aim and objectives of the study, and the theoretical and methodological approaches contemplated in the study.
[Text sourced from Nordicom]
UNESCO second call for partnerships of the Global Media Defence Fund
Deadline: 15 June
‘Until 15 June 2021, UNESCO will be receiving innovative proposals for the implementation of local, regional and international projects that, in line with international human rights standards, will contribute to enhancing media freedom and bolstering journalists’ legal protection by advancing at least one of the following GMDF outputs…’
[Text sourced from UNESCO]
PLURAL+ 2021 Call for Applications
Deadline: 18 June
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival is a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that invites the world’s youth to submit original and creative videos focusing on the themes of migration, diversity and social inclusion.
Entrants to PLURAL+ must be at most 25 years old at the time of the production of their videos.
[Text sourced from PLURAL+]
Stars4Media Call for initiatives
Second deadline: 1st July 2021
Stars4Media has launched its second edition of its exchange and training programme for media professionals from EU countries. “Developed by the media and for the media, and co-funded by the EU, Stars4Media is supporting collaborative initiatives developed by at least two media organisations from two different EU countries. These initiatives should contribute to innovation in new editorial products and formats, emerging technologies or other innovations at the organisational level.“
Call for applications: IPDC/PMA/MAN Conflict Reporting Workshop for Journalists in South Asia
Deadline for applications: 2 July
Workshop dates in Nepal*: 28-30 September 2021
The Public Media Alliance in collaboration with Media Action Nepal and support from the UNESCO New Delhi office, is hosting a three-day workshop to develop a code of ethics to contribute towards strengthening the South Asia media environment.
The workshop is open to practicing journalists and media workers with at least three years’ experience that live and work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Maldives or Sri Lanka. It will provide an excellent networking opportunity and the space to devise strategies for reporting on conflict accurately, impartially and responsibly. The workshop is part of our new project, “Code of Ethics to Improve Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Safety of Journalists in South Asia”.
Please note: We aim to have a physical event in Nepal but the workshop may be moved online depending on the developing COVID-19 pandemic.
More information and to apply
The AIBs 2021
Deadline: 2 July
The Association for International Broadcasters is welcoming entries for its annual awards competition across a range of TV and video categories, including the natural world, international affairs, single news report and continuous news reporting.
EU #Youth4Regions programme for aspiring journalists
Deadline: 12 July
Youth4Regions is an EU programme designed to allow young journalists to discover and report on what the EU is doing in their region. The programme offers training in journalism and EU policy; mentorship; visits to EU affairs media headquarters and EU institutions as well as ‘the unique opportunity to take part as a journalist in European Commission press trips to Member States’.
Applicants must be between 18-30 years old, with a background in journalism – either through studies or at least 2 years of professional experience and must be available for the 10-15 October 2021.
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: Rolling
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]
Collaborative Operations and Services Grant Program [US based]
Organised by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), “The Collaborative Operations and Services (“COS”) grant program is intended to support multistation initiatives to fully develop and implement collaborations, strategic alliances and other forms of partnerships that will increase stations’ abilities and capacities to achieve more together than each can accomplish alone.
The COS will provide smaller grants to assist stations with facilitation, analysis, and research (“FAR”) required for establishing parameters for collaboration efforts (see details below), as well as larger grants for the implementation of serious collaborative efforts.”
[Text sourced from CPB]
Course on diversity in the news and newsrooms
Deadline: Ongoing
This MOOC, from the Knight Center in partnership with the Google News Initiative, provides four weekly modules from 11 January to 7 February, 2021. This instructor-led course aims to explore how diversity can transform journalism by democratising the profession from within. Over the course’s duration, participants will learn about strategies to diversify newsrooms and retain talent and tools to work on stereotypes and racial biases which may colour news coverage. You can still access this course as a self-enrolled student.
Data Journalism Grant
Deadline: Rolling
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit organization that supports independent global journalism, is seeking applications for innovative data-driven journalism projects that spotlight under reported issues. This opportunity is open to all newsrooms and independent journalists in the United States and abroad.
[Text sourced from Pulitzer Center]
Disinformation and fact-checking in times of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean (Spanish)
Online
“Aimed at journalists and communicators in general, this free training is open to anyone interested in the subject, especially journalism teachers and students. In four weeks, instructor Cristina Tardáguila will explain the origins of fact-checking in journalism and teach the tools necessary to discredit fake news in these times of pandemic.” You can still access this course as a self-enrolled student.
[Text sourced from Knight Center]
The Knight Center offers many other journalism courses. Explore them here.
First Jobs Fund
The Journalists’ Charity recently launched a fund for new journalists starting out in the field. “The fund will offer support with essential costs such as accommodation, moving home, transport and essential work-related equipment.”
Funding available for Black journalists
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund are providing two emergency funding opportunities. The Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund is designed to provide financial assistance for Black journalists who are unable to pay for mental health support. The IWMF’s United States Journalism Emergency Fund may address needs related to work, such as medical aid, destroyed or stolen equipment and protective gear; or long-term needs such as trauma, mental health services and referrals to legal support. Applicants must be working journalists and must provide proof of their financial need.
[Text sourced from IJNet]
Fund for Environmental Journalism Proposal Guidelines (US-based)
Deadline: Rolling
The 2020 Rapid Response Grants from the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) support journalism projects covering environment-related issues including climate or conservation in North America, the United States, and globally.
ICFJ Knight Fellowships
Deadline: Rolling
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: Rolling
“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
International Reporting Grants
Deadline: Rolling
The Pulitzer Center’s International Reporting grants support reportage on topics of global importance. Grants are open to reporters, photographers, radio/audio journalists, television/video journalists, and documentary filmmakers. COVID-19 projects are currently being prioritised as well as other projects that can be completed in the near term without much travelling.
IWMF – Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists
The Howard G. Buffet Fund for Women Journalists, established by the International Women’s Media Foundation, provides funding to promote and advance the work of woman-identifying journalists in the news media globally. The fund accepts applications on a rolling basis. Teams of journalists may apply but the submission must be from a woman journalist and her team must include at least 50% women.
Journalism training opportunity: How can solutions journalism enhance how we report on migration?
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.
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 Media Hub offers free online courses [Eastern Europe, MENA]
Deadline: Rolling
Journalists, media managers and other media professionals can take self-directed courses in English, French, Arabic and Russian. The OPEN Media Hub provides e-learning courses as a part of the support for media professionals in the countries of the European Neighborhood, including Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Topics range from media management and content production to media coverage of migration and COVID-19. All courses are free of charge and permanently open. Certificates are available to users who successfully complete them.
[Text sourced from IJNet]
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.
Pitching Investigative Documentaries – GIJN
Deadline: Rolling
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (IGJN) launched a collaborative network during a GIJN webinar. This is a platform where pitches for investigative documentaries and long-form productions about Covid-19 can be submitted and passed onto several public broadcaster production teams including BBC Africa, BBC Arabic, CBC Canada, PBS Frontline and RTS in Switzerland as well as Premières Lignes, an independent French TV production and news agency that has worked with France Télévisions.
Submit your pitch here:
Press Freedom Accountability Project grant funding [US based]
Following recent attacks on and intimidation of journalists in the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is partnering with the News Leaders Association (NLA) to provide journalists with grants between $2,000 and $5,000 to “support reporting on press freedom violations and accountability.”
Rory Peck Trust Assistance Grants for Freelance Journalists
The Rory Peck Trust provides assistance to freelance journalists and their families around the world. Applicants must be able to receive a grant from a British registered charity.
Rory Peck Trust Training Fund for Freelance Journalists
The Rory Peck Training Fund provides training to freelance journalists to equip them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in difficult and potentially dangerous situations. The training fund is available to freelancers who have worked in newsgathering and/or current affairs for a minimum of 18 months. Priority is given to those who work in hostile environments and to those with confirmed assignments.
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
The Pulitzer Center has published an advisory note to all new applicants in light of Covid-19. Please read here.
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:
The Self-Investigation: A free online stress management program for journalists
In partnership with the ICFJ, Open News and the Online News Association, “The self-investigation is a free online program designed to support journalists with knowledge and evidence-based practices they can use to relate to stress and digital overload in a healthier way. This is an opportunity to get access to ongoing support from professionals so you can feel more balanced and tap into your innate resilience. The English language edition will take place over four weeks in July.”
[Text sourced from The Self-Investigation]
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.
Poynter hosts online course on trust building
Deadline: Rolling
Journalists who want to learn strategies to earn their communities’ trust can take this course.
Poynter offers the self-directed, online course “How any journalist can earn Trust.”
The training is divided into 10 modules: perceptions of news; tell your audience who you are, explain your ethics and values; transparency: why it’s important and how to do it day-to-day; building trust into beats; engaging with your audience; separate opinion content from news; connecting revenue to trust; build trust by helping people navigate the news; and next steps.
[Text sourced from IJNet]
Last updated on 7 May 2021.
If you have any suggestions for grants applications and other opportunities please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.