Deadline: 15 October 2021
Open to: journalist networks, media organizations, civil society organizations or academic institutions 
Benefits: grant fund has US$64,000 available for awards this year, shared among four to five projects

Description

Applications are open for the Earth Journalism Network Biodiversity Media Grants 2021. As a part of the Earth Journalism Network’s Biodiversity Media Initiative project, they are pleased to announce a second round of grant opportunities for journalist networks, media organizations, civil society organizations or academic institutions that are working to improve media coverage of biodiversity and conservation issues in countries where information is most under threat and most urgently needed.

The Biodiversity Media Grants will support projects that:

• Build the capacity of journalism networks and media organizations to report on biodiversity and conservation issues
• Carry out biodiversity and/or conservation training activities for journalists
• Build internal capacity
• Organize local networks around these issues

Eligibility

• Open to journalist networks, media organizations, civil society organizations or academic institutions.
• Although they will consider applications by NGOs or environmental groups looking to build the capacity of journalists to cover conservation issues, preference will be given to applications from or affiliated with professional journalists, media organizations, journalism schools and the like.
• All activities must take place in the countries listed here. They will also consider applications for activities to be held in Russia.

Benefits

This grant fund has US$64,000 available for awards this year, which would ideally be shared among four to five projects. Although applications for funding of any amount within this total will be considered, they would expect the average grant size to be between $10,000 and $15,000, with potentially a greater share of the total going to projects that demonstrate a critical need.

Selection Criteria

The jury evaluates all eligible applications in a comparative context and makes funding decisions based on the availability of funds, the program objectives, and the following assessment criteria:

• the overall quality of the proposal;
• the relevance of the proposed project in contributing to the objectives and priorities of this grant program;
• the potential impact of the proposed project, including the quality and effectiveness of the project design;
• the financial viability and cost-effectiveness of the proposed activity;
• the ability of the applicant to carry it out.

How to apply?

The deadline for applications is midnight October 15, 2021, UTC-11. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Please consider submitting at least one day in advance of the deadline to avoid any issues. Decisions will be communicated before the end of November, with projects anticipated to start in early 2022.

For more information, please visit the official website.