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 Opportunity
ILO launches Global Media Competition on Labour Migration
Deadline: 31 October
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is launching its fifth annual Global Media Competition to recognize exemplary media coverage of labour migration. This year’s themes are ‘fair recruitment’ and ‘the future of labour migration’.
‘The competition aims to promote quality reporting on labour migration issues. Across the world, migrants face prejudice, intolerance and stigmatization in their workplaces and communities. Negative public narratives can lead to abuse and exploitation, and challenge social cohesion.’
FJA Journalism Awards
Deadline: 1 October
Media organisations are invited to nominate up to three of their journalists for this competition. Self-nomination is only possible if the applicant is a representative of a professional media organisation.
Stories from nominated applicants must have been published in printed media. If the story is not in English a translated version of the story must also accompany it.
Categories for nomination are; Outstanding contribution to peace, Contribution to Civil Rights, Outstanding Investigative Reporting and Excellence in Environmental Jounalism.
The first, second and third place winners in each category will receive CHF100,000, CHF20,000 and CHF10,000, respectively.
Call for projects addressing the human impact of climate change
Deadline: 10 October
The fledgling fund, which promotes the creation of media projects driving global change, seek to fund projects covering climate change, looking specifically into the economic inequality and health disparities. Projects should be positioned to make an impact quickly, and tell their story in an innovative and engaging way. The fledgling fund is predominantly seeking short-form or long-form documentaries, however they are also open to projects using alternative ways of storytelling.
3-5 outreach and engagement grants of $15,000 – $25,000 will be awarded. Applicants from individual filmmakers/ media makers are prompted to apply. Student projects are not eligible.
National Geographic Grants Programme
Deadline 9 October
All projects should have a focus on storytelling, conservation, education, research or technology. Each project should align with one of the National Geographic’s three key focus areas: Wildlife, Human Journey and Changing Planet.
Early Career Grant
Opportunities for individuals who have exceptional and innovative ideas, but have less than 5 years of experience in their field. The grants last for a year maximum and applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Each project typically receives US $5,000, however the maximum is US $10,000.
Exploration Grant
Opportunities for experienced individuals with a track record of producing similar projects. The grants last for a year maximum. Each project typically receives between US $10,000 and US $30,000
European Union 2019 EU Prize for Journalism (Georgia)
Deadline: 15 October
Journalists in Georgia are eligible to apply. The EU Prize for Journalism recognizes journalists who have demonstrated brilliant ethics and integrity in Georgia.
Each applicant can submit one entry to one of the following categories: story in print or online media; feature story in broadcast or online media; innovative and original piece of work in print, broadcast or online media; investigative story in print, online or broadcast media; online or print blog; documentary photo; and conflict-sensitive journalistic work (the EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism).
The winners of the first six categories will be awarded €1,250. The winner of the EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism will receive a one month fellowship with the Institute of War and Peace Reporting in London.
Global Prize: Photography 4 Humanity
Deadline: 15 October
Partnered with the United Nations, Cause Flash and David Clarke Cause, Photography 4 Humanity are seeking the best human rights photography for their global prize. Photographs must demonstrate a compelling human rights cause and expose the challenges individuals and communities face in different regions across the world.
All images must be taken within 3 years of entry date, and applicants must be over 18 years old.
The West Africa Visual Journalism Fellowship
Deadline: 15 October
The World Press Photo Foundation and the Chocoloney Foundation are looking for three emerging visual journalists to take part in a one year fellowship programme starting in 2020. The applicants must be local to Burkina Faso, Ghana or the Ivory Coast. The fellowship will require the chosen journalists to produce a visual story on their local communities. They will be awarded a production grant of $5,000, along with a maintenance grant of $5,000 to cover production and living expenses. The fellows will also receive mentoring and workshops from top industry professionals.
ILO launches Global Media Competition on Labour Migration
Deadline: 31 October
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is launching its fifth annual Global Media Competition to recognize exemplary media coverage of labour migration. This year’s themes are ‘fair recruitment’ and ‘the future of labour migration’.
‘The competition aims to promote quality reporting on labour migration issues. Across the world, migrants face prejudice, intolerance and stigmatization in their workplaces and communities. Negative public narratives can lead to abuse and exploitation, and challenge social cohesion.’
It is the first year that there is a student category. Winners will be announced on International Migrants Day (18th December 2019).
[Text sourced from ILO]
Humanitarian photography contest open [Worldwide]
Deadline 8 November
Amateur and professional photographers can compete for this grant.
Spain-based Doctors of the World seeks entries for the International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña. The award was created as a tribute to Luis Valtueña, Flors Sirera, Manuel Madrazo and Mercedes Navarro, aid workers killed in Rwanda in 1997 and Bosnia in 1995.
Photos must cover any of the following themes: humanitarian action, international cooperation and social exclusion, human rights violations, armed conflicts, natural disasters, refugee and immigrant populations, socially excluded groups, etc.
Contestants can submit up to 10 photographs, which can be part of a series or not.
The first prize winner will receive a grant of EUR6,000 (US$6,718) intended to carry out a photographic project about topics related to the activity of Doctors of the World.
(Text taken from ijnet)
Fund for Environmental Journalism
Deadline: 15 November
The Society of Environmental Journalists is offering awards of up to $5,000 bi-annually for ‘public service reporting on environment’ stories which could ‘otherwise not have been reported’. The grant can be used for expenses such as translation, multimedia production and travel.
(Text taken from SEJ)
Research grants focusing on Arab Society
Deadline: 17 November
This research grant is for journalists/ researchers who focus their work on Arab society. The grant is supported by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) , the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the Andrew Foundation Mellon.
The theme for the research is Health and Livelihoods in the Arab Region: Welfare, Vulnerability and Conflict. This opportunity will provide grants of up to $20,000 to individual researchers, up to $35,000 for research groups and a maximum of $50,000 for research teams. Priority is given to individuals/ teams currently residing in the Arab religion.
The duration of each grant is no longer than 18 months for individual researchers and research teams, and no longer than 24 months for research groups and institutions.
New media contest seeks entries (Worldwide)
Deadline: 22 November (general), 13 December (student)
This award, organised by Bournemouth University, seeks to promote innovative ways in which we tell stories. This competition showcases inventive and creative stories which utilizes a variety of formats, platforms and digital media. The stories are to be shown on a PC/ Mac, the web or a hand-held electronic device. The story should use words, images, film or animation which invites the audience to interact through a short story, novel documentary of poem.
Awards are as follows; ifbook UK New Media Award (£1,000), Unicorn Traning student winner (£750). Gorkana Jounalism Award (£750), Dot Award (£500) and Skylab Innovation award (£5000).
Smithsonian photo contest 2019
Deadline: 30 November
Applicants from all around the world can apply to receive one of eight prizes. The grand prize contests of $2,500 and a sponsored travel trip. The other winners will receive a prize of $500.
The following are the 6 categories in which applicants can apply
- Natural World
- Travel
- People
- The American Experience
- Altered Images
- Mobile
To be eligible your photograph must have been shot since January 2017. Applicants can submit up to 15 photographs for each category.
PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2020 Competition
Deadline: 11 December 2019
Prix Jeunesse aims to promote quality children’s TV content and their latest competition seeks channels, streaming services and production companies to enter work which is aimed for children (2-15 years old). Entries have to be innovative, original and produced within the last 2 years. The theme for Prix Jeunesse International 2020 is ‘The Power of Sound’; however, entries do not need to fit this theme.
European Press Prize 2020
Deadline: 13 December 2019
For the 2020 edition of the European Press Prize, journalists working working in Europe or working for a media organisation within the continent can submit work under the categories: Investigative Reporting, Distinguished Reporting, Innovation and Opinion. A final ‘Special Award’ will be given on the night of the awards ceremony in May. The prize is to highlight quality journalism within the continent.
The Press Freedom Incentive Fund
Deadline: 31 December 2019
The Press Freedom Incentive Fund, part of the PEN Across America initiative, supports new initiatives to invigorate local communities with ideas, information, questions, and discourse around press freedom defense. Proposals may center on events, panel discussions, campaigns, outreach efforts, educational initiatives, workshops, media outlet partnerships, and other formats that can be effective in building local press freedom constituencies (a list of possible ideas for inspiration is contained in the FAQs below). Priority will be given to proposals that have the potential to reach a significant and diverse audience, engage and sustain that audience over time, and facilitate partnership with local groups and organizations. PEN are accepting any activities and projects planned until 31st December 2019 and will offer grants of between $1,000-$4,000.
(Text sourced from PEN)
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 Fellowship, Latin America
Deadline: Ongoing, fellowships preferably starting in June 2017
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is looking for outstanding journalists with a background in digital journalism who wish to strengthen their investigative reporting via new digital technologies in Central America, Mexico and/or Colombia.
If selected, the Fellow will build the capacity of media outlets and journalists in Central America, Mexico, and/or Colombia, strengthen a network between international, national and local media, recruit experts, and oversee an innovation fund.
The candidate needs to have experience in leading investigative journalism projects, experience in major newsrooms, and high proficiency in both English and Spanish.
The fellowship will take place in Latin America, with at least 25 percent of the Fellow’s time spent in Nicaragua. The duration of the fellowship is one year, with the goal of starting in June 2017. The fellowship may be extended depending on funding and ICFJ approval.
Individual Support
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.
Innovative Ibero-American Journalism
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.
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting: Travel Grants Programme
Deadline: Ongoing
Fund for international travel costs associated with reporting projects on topics and regions of global importance, with an emphasis on issues that have gone unreported or under-reported in the mainstream American media. The amount of individual travel grants will depend on the specific project and detailed budget planning. Most awards fall in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 but depending on project specifics may be higher.
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.