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
BBC Young Reporter Competition
Deadline: 31 October 2020
The BBC is currently on the lookout for talented, young people aged 11-18 who have an interesting and unique story to share that has particular importance “to their life or the world around them.”
Ideas for stories that most stand will be read and chosen by presenters, reporters, senior editors and producers from programmes such as Newsbeat, Newsround and BBC, and the winners will have their story produced and broadcast by the BBC.
Collaborative News Content
PMA has 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 our members with free, high-quality news content and resources. Their latest project explores the impact of community health workers tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
More information can be found at the Orb Media website, while PMA members should contact PMA for access.
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.
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.
Month by month
Finding Stories with Data
Online
Throughout October
The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is offering a hands-on virtual course to develop your skills in data journalism and using this to hold power to account. During the 4-week course, participants will gain useful tips and tricks on how to use spreadsheet software for analysis; how to find data that will be useful for storytelling; how to shape data to create meaningful conclusions and finally how to weave this into a clear and coherent narrative.
The course will be taught by Jonathan Stoneman, a freelance trainer who most notably worked as the Head of BBC World Service Training at Bush House.
Prices vary according to the size of the organisation or for freelancers. CIJ also offers other data journalism courses.
Broadcast Journalism Training Council BJTC Awards
Deadline: 1 October 2020
The BJTC Awards celebrates students on the Broadcast Journalism Training courses. Categories include best TV and radio reports, features and documentaries as well as podcast, online news site and social short video. The Best Remote/Virtual Newsday is the newest addition to the awards.
The awards are backed by industry partners including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Reuters, ITN, NUJ and more.
Grants for Data Journalism Projects [Eastern Europe, Central Asia]
Deadline: 1 October 2020
Data journalists from Eastern Europe and Central Asia are invited to apply for a programme organised by the School of Data Kyrgyzstan and the Prague Civil Society Centre that will “provide financial support and mentorship for work on cross-border data stories.”
“The organizers will choose five projects, and each project will receive up to EUR1,000 and mentoring support to produce stories. Both teams and individuals can apply.”
[Text sourced from International Journalists’ Network]
Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards Fellowship 2021
Deadline: 1 October 2020
Nominations for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards Fellowship are open. Now in their 21st year, the Awards honour some of the world’s most remarkable free expression heroes.
As Index approaches its 50th anniversary year, the 2021 awards will kick-off a year of celebrations to mark this milestone. Since 2015, Index has expanded the Awards programme to include the Awards Fellowship, supporting and championing 27 fellows in their work defending freedom of expression internationally.
Index invites the general public, civil society organisations, non-profit groups and media organisations to nominate anyone (individuals or organisations) who they believe should be celebrated and supported in their work tackling censorship worldwide.
[Text sourced from Index on Censorship]
Alexia Grant for photojournalists
Deadline: 5 October 2020
Alexia Foundation’s grant is open to both professional and student journalists and seeks applications which cover socially significant topics, such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter movement. While submissions must include a set of still photographs, applicants may also submit other media, including audio, video, VR, or any other visual format.
Reuters Training on Covering Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery [Brazil] (Portuguese)
Deadline: 5 October 2020
This free training from the Thomson Reuters Foundation provides Brazilian journalists with at least three years of experience with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills on covering human trafficking and modern slavery stories. Applicants must be working full-time or writing regularly for media organisations in Brazil. Journalists who have previously attended a Reuters course cannot apply. The course will be conducted online.
Course dates: 2 – 6 November 2020.
Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship [US-based]
Deadline: 12 October 2020
This fellowship is open to US journalists of colour with at least three years of post-college work experience who wish to improve their investigative skills. Applicants must propose an investigative project and must also currently work with a supportive news outlet or as an independent journalist.
Web-Based Harassment and Bias Prevention Training (Request for proposals)
Deadline: 22 October 2020
“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) invites proposals to provide a hosted, interactive, web-based training Program for CPB and public broadcasting station employees that:
1) Addresses common types of harassment and/or discrimination and precautionary measures to take to prevent harassment and/or discrimination.
2) Teaches about stereotypes and biases, how they develop, and how to gain insights into one’s own perspectives and steps to take for their elimination.
3) Provides effective strategies for removing barriers to diversity, and for discouraging and preventing discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The Program must allow stations to set up and manage their station group user accounts independently from CPB. The term of the agreement will extend for a period of 3 years, renewable under the same terms and conditions at CPB’s sole discretion for an additional 3 one-year terms.”
[Text sourced from CPB]
→ MORE INFO
The Education Journalism Notice [Brazil] (Portuguese)
Deadline: 25 October 2020
The Education Journalism Notice, an initiative of Jeduca and Itaú Social, aims to encourage the production of quality journalistic material on relevant topics of Brazilian public education. In this second edition, the Public Notice will give priority to guidelines and works that address issues related to educational inequalities. The Notice has two categories: journalist and student.
[Text sourced from Jeduca]
BBC Young Reporter Competition
Deadline: 31 October 2020
The BBC is currently on the lookout for talented, young people aged 11-18 who have an interesting and unique story to share that has particular importance “to their life or the world around them.”
Ideas for stories that most stand will be read and chosen by presenters, reporters, senior editors and producers from programmes such as Newsbeat, Newsround and BBC, and the winners will have their story produced and broadcast by the BBC.
Entrants just need to submit an outline of a story idea – you do not need to worry about how it is written or recorded at this point.
Data journalism training for women journalists [Africa]
Deadline: 31 October 2020
Women journalists in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger can apply to take part in this training program. The Cell Norbert Zongo for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) is looking for participants for a new training program on data journalism and data analysis that aims to facilitate the inclusion of women in investigative journalism in the region. Candidates must be interested in data and have three to 10 years of experience. They must have published at least one large-scale report or investigation and have a new investigative project in the works.
[Text sourced from ijnet]
Press Start – a collaborative, crowdfunded journalism project
Deadline: 31 October 2020
The “enhancing audience-supported collaborations for empowered media and societies” project is a collaboration among Press Start, Free Press Unlimited, Free Press for Eastern Europe (FPEE), co-funded by the European Commission. Teams of at least two journalists from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Czechia, and Greece are eligible to apply to work together on a journalistic project of their choice. The project will launch successful campaigns on a crowdfunding platform and will also support and assist with campaign material and promotion as well as provide matching funds.
Scholarship for Foreign US-based Journalists [USA]
Deadline: 1 November 2020
The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States provides annual scholarships to foreign journalists who are completing their Master’s level studies in a U.S. based academic institution. Master’s level studies which will be considered for support include but are not restricted to journalism, media relations, communications, film, videography, photography, visual arts, and other fields.
[Text sourced from The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents]
Mobile journalism masterclass
Course date: 2nd November 2020
With mobile journalism becoming an increasingly popular and vital trend in contemporary journalism practice, Journalism.co.uk is offering a six-week training course for busy professionals to enhance their mobile journalism storytelling skills. Participants will learn how to use their smartphone for filming, editing, how to conduct interviews to get good soundbites, script-writing, story-boarding, writing to picture, voice-overs, and piece-to-camera shots as well as how to use low-cost or free apps for video production.
Training is delivered by Robb Montgomery who has a wealth of experience training journalists from major news outlets around the world including Reuters, The New York Times and VRT in Belgium. The course begins on 2 November and will be available for 1 year so that participants can work at their own pace.
Journalism Diversity Fund – 4th round
Deadline for 4th round: 4th November 2020
The Journalism Diversity Fund, administered by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), is designed for individuals “who do not have the financial means to support themselves through NCTJ journalism training, giving them the opportunity to pursue one of the most exciting and rewarding careers around.” This ensures more diversity in the newsroom, and helps newsrooms to better reflect the society they serve.
The IJ4EU Impact Award
Deadline: 8 November 2020
The European Centre for Press and Media Pluralism (ECPMF) have launched their IJ4EU Impact Award, which celebrates collaborative, cross-border investigative journalism between European Union member states and/or candidate countries.
Projects can be published in any medium: print, broadcast, online, documentary film and multimedia.
There are three prizes to be won, each worth €5,000.
You can nominate your own investigative project or those of others.
Dow Jones accepting internship applications [US]
Deadline: 9 November 2020
The Dow Jones News Fund is offering paid summer internships of up to US$1,500 to juniors, seniors and graduate students for 10 to 12 weeks at media outlets nationwide. Applications are welcomed in the fields of data journalism, digital media, business reporting and multiplatform editing.
Journal seeks papers on media, digital transformation [MENA]
Deadline: 20 November 2020
Journalists, academics and students from the Arab world can submit their papers. Possible topics include digital media and content creation, the future of digital platforms, media and e-learning, media ethics and the digital environment, fact checking and data. Although shorter pieces are encouraged, submissions may have up to 10,000 words and must conform to The Chicago Manual of Style.
[Text sourced from International Journalists’ Network]
The Publisher Podcast Awards 2021
Deadline: 27 November 2020
“The Publisher Podcast Awards are a celebration of the best podcasts in the publishing and media industry, and we’re looking forward to bringing them to you once again after a smashing first year.”
The Awards are divided into two different types: the strategic awards, which includes the best student podcast and best podcast launch and the content awards, which range from the best coronavirus podcast to the best sport, science and technology podcasts.
It is free to enter but submissions must be from a publisher that “release content regularly in at least one other medium – print or online.”
Broadcast Awards 2021 [UK based]
4 December 2020
“The Broadcast Awards are the most hotly anticipated event in the television industry calendar. Celebrating the very best in British programming and channels. The awards recognise and reward the UK’s most ground-breaking content, creators and channels. The 2021 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place 3 June 2021, rather than February. Details around the ceremony will follow over the next few months.”
[Text sourced from Broadcast]
Story-Based Inquiry Method – Online, Intensive
Course duration: 7- 10 December 2020
The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is hosting a four-day online training course for individuals interested in developing their skills in investigative journalism. According to CIJ, “The course sets out the Story-Based Inquiry (SBI) method, which has been successfully used by thousands of journalists, academics and NGO researchers since its publication by UNESCO in 2009. The method can be used for feature writing or documentary filmmaking as well as reportage. Its language and approach have been integrated into leading journalism organisations and NGOs worldwide.”
During the course, participants will cover shaping a hypothesis; structuring a narrative; mapping ‘stakeholders’ and organising data and information in order to bring the story together.
Instructors are Dr Mark Lee Hunter, a founding member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and Luuk Sengers, a journalist and lecturer.
European Press Prize 2021
Deadline: 11 December 2020
Entries are open for the European Press Prize, which celebrates excellence in journalism. The four different categories under the prize include the Investigative Reporting Award, Distinguished Reporting Award, Opinion Award and the Innovation Award. The judges can also award a special prize “for excellent journalism”.
Each winner is awarded 10,000 euros and their work will be published on the European Press Prize website. Journalists from within the 47 countries based in the Council of Europe can enter. Winn
Amnesty International UK Media Awards 2021 [UK based]
Deadline: 21 January 2021
“Amnesty International Media Awards celebrate excellence in human rights journalism and applaud the courage and determination of journalists and editors who put their lives on the line to tell important human rights stories.”
Categories include written and broadcast news, investigation, feature, student journalism, documentaries, radio and podcasts, among several others.
Reports must be published or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2020.
Fund for Investigative Journalism Regular Grant [US Based]
Deadline: 8 February 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.
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]
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]
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 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:
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.
Last updated on 23 October 2020.
If you have any suggestions for grants applications and other opportunities please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.