Applications Invited for Clean Air Catalyst Story Grants 2022

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About the Organization

Internews initially developed the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in 2004 to enable journalists from developing countries to cover the environment more effectively. We are now a truly global network working with reporters and media outlets in virtually every region of the world. In our mission to improve the quantity and quality of environmental reporting, EJN trains journalists to cover a wide variety of issues, develops innovative online environmental news sites and produces content for local media – including ground-breaking investigative reports. We also establish networks of environmental journalists in countries where they don't exist and build their capacity where they do. We do so through workshops and the development of training materials and by offering Fellowship programs, grants to media organizations, story stipends, and support for story production and distribution. Watch the video above to learn more about our work.

About the Grant 

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites journalists from India to apply for a story grant to report on air pollution in Madhya Pradesh. 

We welcome story ideas that focus on air pollution, especially in Indore and surrounding areas and the threats it poses to local populations.

Journalists may explore the impacts of air pollution on local environment, the economy, health and development, among other topics. We welcome solutions-driven story pitches that focus on actions to reduce the level of air pollution and improve the quality of air in the state.

We are particularly interested in story ideas that aim to report on air pollution in a gender-sensitive manner and ideas that center on gender issues, especially in communities that are highly vulnerable to air pollution. Ideas that have already received a lot of media coverage or don't include gender perspectives to air pollution challenges are less likely to be selected. 

We aim to support the production of stories that raise awareness about air pollution among communities and policymakers at the local, national, and regional level. 

We expect to award up to 14 grants with an average budget of $1000 each. 

We plan to issue grants in July 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.

Safety: We encourage reporters to follow best practices for Covid-19 while reporting. If needed, you should include any Covid-related costs, such as tests or personal protective equipment, in your budget. 

Language of publication: Stories can be produced in English or Hindi. However, applicants who intend to write or produce stories in Hindi need to provide EJN with an English translation of the story in summary or its entirety. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.

Story budget: All applicants are required to provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided below. We ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for costs necessary for reporting, such as travel and accommodation. 

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

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 equipment. 

We will consider a stipend for the reporters’ salary, particularly if the applicant is a freelancer. Please estimate the time you’ll need to complete this story and propose compensation you believe reflects a fair market rate. We ask, however, that this comprises no more than 30% of the total budget. 

Eligibility

• Applicants can be from anywhere in India; applicants from Madhya Pradesh are preferred. Journalists who had previously participated in the Clean Air Catalyst media training workshop held in Indore in May 2022 will be given preference. 
• Groups of journalists are eligible. 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. 
• For the purposes of this grant opportunity, we will be accepting applications in English and Hindi. Selected grantees can produce stories in English or Hindi. 
• Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. We welcome applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of covering air pollution. We encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local and community-based.
• EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply now' button at 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 in the log in page. If you don’t have an account, you must register by clicking “Log in” on the top right of the page and click 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 finalise the application.

Applications should provide a detailed budget in an Excel spreadsheet with justification for the amount requested. Download the budget template now by clicking on this link. 

All applicants are required to provide a signed letter of support from their editor, explicitly stating that the media outlet will publish the stories produced as a result of this grant.

Applicants will also need to submit two samples of stories or links to relevant work. 

For more information please check the Link 

Tags Environment and Sustainability Water Others