Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering reporting grants to journalists all over the world to support the production of in-depth stories on the high seas – an area that has received relatively little attention despite representing two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and 95% of the Earth’s total habitat by volume.

This global Ocean Media Initiative by the EJN with support from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation aims to increase the quality and quantity of ocean-related stories in the media, and build the capacity of journalists to improve their coverage of ocean-related topics.

Eligibility

Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience.

EJN also welcomes applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of covering ocean issues, as well as applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local, and community-based.

Applicants can be from any country in the world; applicants from coastal countries are preferred.

Groups of journalists are eligible, particularly from different countries seeking to produce a cross-border project. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant.

Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds on the group’s behalf if awarded.

Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or have a translator available to assist with communication with Internews staff.

For the purposes of this grant opportunity, Earth Journalism Network will only be accepting applications in English, Spanish, French, Bahasa Indonesia, and Portuguese.

EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.

Story themes

Earth Journalism Network welcomes story ideas that focus on the high seas – their importance and connection to climate change, biodiversity, and other global issues; the threats they face; and ongoing efforts to protect and manage these areas, such as the UN’s efforts to negotiate the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty.

Journalists may explore the impacts of ocean acidification and eutrophication, marine pollution, IUU/overfishing, seabed exploration, and deep-sea mining, and the challenges and opportunities pertaining to governance and conservation, among other topics.

EJN aims to support the production of stories that raise awareness about the high seas and drive conversation among communities and policymakers at the local, national, and regional levels. We are particularly interested in cross-border collaborations and stories. Proposals that focus on topics or stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of media coverage or don’t provide unique angles to environmental or climate challenges are less likely to be selected.

Please note: For the purposes of this grant, EJN is not looking for story ideas related exclusively to near-shore waters and coastal issues.

Story approach & format

Earth Journalism Network expects to award up to 10 grants with an average budget of $1200 each.

Generally speaking, applications with smaller budgets will be more competitive, but larger grant amounts for stories using innovative, collaborative, or investigative approaches that may be more resource-intensive and time-consuming will be considered.

EJN plans to issue grants in March with the expectation that all stories will be published by the end of September at the latest. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their workplan.

All applicants are required to provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided. We are asking you to consider what you’ll need to do this type of reporting. We ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for costs necessary for reporting, such as travel and accommodation.

Earth Journalism Network expects that stories will be produced with equipment that applicants already have access to (including cameras, drones, lighting, tripods, etc.) and prefer budgets that do not include a large amount of equipment.

EJN encourages reporters to follow best practices for Covid-19 when out in the field so they do not endanger themselves or the people they’re interviewing. If needed, they should include any Covid-related costs, such as tests or personal protective equipment, in their budget.

Stories can be produced in any language. However, applicants who intend to write or produce stories in their local language need to also include an English translation. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.

Those who are awarded grants are free to publish or broadcast their stories first in their affiliated media as long as Earth Journalism Network, its partners, and the grant funder, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, are also given rights to edit, publish, broadcast, and distribute them freely.

Freelance reporters should demonstrate a plan for publication or broadcast, and all applicants are encouraged to provide a letter of support from their editor, explicitly stating that the media outlet will publish the stories produced as a result of this grant.

Judging criteria

Applicants should consider the following points when devising their story proposals.

• Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why does this story matter and to whom? Are the main idea, context, and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
• Angle: If the story has been covered, does your proposal bring new insights to the topic or offer a fresh angle
• Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate, and spur action?
• Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.

Benefits

Selected journalists for the Earth Journalism Network Ocean Media Initiative grant stand to gain:

• Up to 10 story grants to report on the high seas.
• Support from experienced mentors through the story production process.

Application process

• Click the ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page.
• If you have an existing account, you’ll need to log in. Since we recently updated our website, you might have to reset your password by clicking the “forgot password?” link on the log-in page. If you don’t have an account, you must register by clicking “Log in with Auth0” on the top right of the page and clicking the “Sign up” link at the bottom of the page that opens. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create an account, and here for detailed instructions on how to reset your password.
• If you start the application and want to come back and complete it later, you can click ‘Save Draft.’ To return to the draft, you’ll need to go back to the opportunity and click ‘Apply now’ again to finalize the application.
• Applications should provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested. Download the budget template now by clicking on this link. We expect that proposals will largely reflect what equipment the applicant already has access to (including cameras, drones, lighting, tripods, etc.) and will not consider budgets that heavily focus on procuring new supplies. We will consider some costs for the reporters’ salary, particularly if the applicant is a freelancer, but this should be a small portion of the total budget. Please include the cost for translation, if necessary. Please also note on your budget form if you are receiving funding from any other donors for the story.
• You must submit two samples of stories or links to relevant work. You’ll be asked to upload these once you start the application process, so please have them handy.

The application deadline is 2nd March 2022, 11:59 PM, (UTC -11)

If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application or have questions about the Earth Journalism Network Ocean Media Initiative grants, please email [email protected].

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.