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
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.
Month by month
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:
IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards
Deadline: 1 March 2020
The International Women’s Media Foundation is looking for nominations for female journalists in print, broadcast or online media who have demonstrated strength while reporting in often precarious conditions and show a commitment to press freedom.
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]
2020 CCWPF Press Freedom Award
Deadline: 15 March 2020
Do you know a journalist or media employee whose work has been frustrated by a cloak of secrecy over the public’s right to know, or by legal manoeuvres or political intimidation? Do you know of a reporter who has risked his or her safety or reputation for the sake of free speech? If so, why not nominate him or her for the annual Press Freedom Award from the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom?
This annual award goes to a journalist or media worker in Canadian print, digital or broadcasting who has made a significant contribution to freedom of expression, often by standing up to government or private interests that would thwart the reporting of events or stories of significant public interest, or by advancing press freedom through the subjects he or she reports on. Institutions that work towards the same objectives may also apply or be nominated.
[Text sourced from CCWPF]
One World Media Fellowship 2020
Deadline: 2 April 2020
The Fellowship supports filmmakers and journalists from around the world to produce a engaging stories from the developing world in short documentary film, print, audio or multimedia format. This year they are accepting 10 fellows from around the world as well as 10 fellows from across Africa. Fellows will receive a £1,000 grant to go towards their story.
European Development Journalism Grants programme
Deadline: 3 April 2020
“Media organisations can now apply for the latest round of the European Development Journalism Grants programme. Eight grants worth up to €120,000 each will be awarded to media outlets in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom to report on global development topics during the course of one year.”
Online panel: Lessons from international news organizations reporting the pandemic [Worldwide]
3 April 2020
A webinar taking place on 3rd April at 9am aims to discuss production challenges; Covid-19 disinformation; journalism safety and media freedom as well as online engagement in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. It will be hosted by Dr Julie Posetti, including Maria Ressa (founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of Rappler); Brando Brkic (editor and co-founder of the Daily Maverick) and Ritu Kanpur (CEO of The Quint).
Persephone Miel Fellowship – Pulitzer Center
Deadline: 10 April 2020
“The Persephone Miel Fellowship, overseen by the Pulitzer Center and launched in partnership with Internews, is designed to help journalists from the developing world do the kind of reporting they’ve always wanted to do and enable them to bring their work to a broader international audience. The fellowship benefits those with limited access to other fellowships and those whose work is not routinely disseminated internationally. Miel fellowships involve reporting from within the applicant’s native country—or following migrant communities from there to other locations.”
Travel grants of up to $5000 will be provided. “Before beginning the project the Persephone Miel Fellow will come to Washington, D.C., to meet with Pulitzer Center staff and journalists and take part in a 2-day workshop on the pending project and strategies for placement and outreach. The Pulitzer Center will provide $2500 to cover travel expenses associated with the Washington workshop.”
[Text sourced from Pulitzer Center]
Lyra McKee Investigative Journalism Training Bursary
Deadline: 19 April 2020
Postponed until 2021
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]
Caribbean Broadcasting Union Media Awards 2019
Deadline: 30 April 2020
The CBU’s annual Media Awards returns to showcase the best of media within the region. Entries are only accepted for work in the following formats: television, radio, digital and print, all produced between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019. The Presentation Ceremony to celebrate the work of Caribbean media will be held in Trinidad and Tobago on 18th August.
Fund for Investigative Journalism (US)
Deadline: 4 May 2020
The FIJ Board of Directors is looking for stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing – such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power – in the public and private sectors. FIJ encourages proposals written for ethnic media as well as those submitted by journalists of colour. You can receive up to $10,000. They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends.
Reporting on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery Programme
Deadline: 4 May 2020
Thomson Reuters Foundation’s one-week Reporting on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery in Bangkok is a unique chance for journalists in Thailand to gain practical skills and knowledge and work on your story ideas with guidance from experienced Thomson Reuters Foundation journalists and subject experts from reputed anti-trafficking charities..
With support from the C&A Foundation, the workshop offers a combination of specialist expertise and hands-on training, with an emphasis on producing high-impact stories for widespread dissemination.
[Text sourced from Thomson Reuters]
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
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.
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 27 March 2020.
If you have any suggestions for grants applications and other opportunities please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.