Ocean Media Initiative Story Grants

Ocean Media Initiative Story Grants

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting applications that offer Reporting Grants to journalists from around the world to support the production of in-depth reporting on the high seas.

Oceans are the foundation of the blue planet on which we live. A vital life support system for Earth, they regulate the global climate, provide significant amounts of protein and serve as a massive carbon sink.

The interaction between the ocean, the atmosphere, and human impacts is altering both the climate and the ocean itself, and the change is intensifying. Yet the reality of what they are facing is not always known or fully understood by citizens or policymakers.

Story Themes

They welcome 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.

They aim to support the production of stories that raise awareness about the high seas and drive conversation among communities and policy makers at the local, national, and regional level.

They 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, they are not looking for story ideas related exclusively to near-shore waters and coastal issues.

Funding Information They expect to award up to 10 grants with an average budget of $1200 each.

Eligibility Criteria