Application Deadline: November 30th 2021
The Environmental Reporting Collective is proud to announce we’re accepting applications for Collaborative Investigation Grants open to media outlets, journalists, and freelancers.
These grants ($1000 to $3000 USD) are specifically aimed at promoting collaboration, and allowing journalists from different countries to work together to fill in gaps in each others’ reporting, especially when tracing environmental crimes across borders.
Funds can be used creatively, and there is no travel requirement. Ideas for how to use funds include:
- Translation of documents/sources available in different languages.
- Photo or multimedia components to reporting.
- Data or document access fees.
- Database or resources fees (example – satellite monitoring, or corporate databases)
- Translation of final stories into different languages.
- For freelancers – compensation for time spent reporting.
Requirements:
- Applications must include at least two journalists or media outlets from two different countries or regions. Freelancers are welcome to apply.
- Proposals must be investigative, and have an environmental focus (you can interpret this broadly).
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate how their story would benefit from collaboration.
Application:
- A one page “pitch” of your proposal with details on your idea, and reporting plan.
- A one page proposed budget (you can use our Budget Template)
- Resumes for each journalist with links or PDFs of your previous investigative reporting.
- For media outlets, data about your reach, audience, and links to previous investigations.
- Note: Outlets are strongly encouraged to sign up as a partner newsroom before or when applying, but it’s not required and will not jeopardise their application.
- For staff writers, a short letter of support from an editor at your newsroom.
- For freelancers, links to previously published stories, and names/contact information for 2 editors you have worked with. Optional – a letter of support from an outlet that is willing to publish your story.
- For media outlets, data about your reach, audience, and links to previous investigations.
Process and Timeline
Send your application as attachments (PDF, Word, or ODT format) to contact@investigative.earth with the subject line Collaborative Reporting Grants: [Your Names]
Applications are accepted anytime, with decisions made quarterly. Applications will be considered within 3 months of their submission from when applications are opened, to when they are closed.
Have an idea but don’t know who to collaborative with? Journalists without collaborators are encouraged to propose their ideas on the ERC Slack, or get assistance from core team members, to find other journalists or media outlets to collaborate with.
- Timeline:
- Application: Starts Mid-Oct (rolling application)
- Review: First round 1 in late Nov and continues every quarter.
