Deadline: August 15, 2021
Applications are open for the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Zoonotic Diseases Reporting Grant 2021. EJN is offering story grants to journalists to support the production of in-depth stories that will call attention to zoonotic diseases and One Health in Asia and the Pacific region.
To raise public awareness of the root causes of zoonotic diseases and ways to prevent the next zoonotic disease outbreak, they would like to focus this current call for story pitches on zoonoses and, specifically, the One Health approach that scientists, public health professionals and others are taking toward identifying and preventing zoonotic disease.
Story Themes
They welcome stories from Asia and the Pacific region that engage audiences to better understand:
- the threat of potential spillovers and its causes;
- solutions that address the root causes of these threats;
- local and international efforts to improve ecological and human health, within the One Health framework.
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 the challenges of zoonotic disease and One Health approaches are less likely to be selected.
Grant
- They expect to award 20 grants with an average grant amount of $1,500, depending on the proposal and needs outlined in the budget submission.
Eligibility
- Stories can be produced in any language, but they ask that that the application be submitted in English.
- Applicants who will produce non-English stories should provide an English translation; the cost for translation could be included in the proposed budget.
- They accept applications from journalists residing in Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific Islands, but not Australia and New Zealand.
- Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with reporting experience and a history of covering environmental issues.
- They will also accept applications from health journalists interested in focusing on the public health impacts of zoonotic diseases and the One Health approach.
- They encourage applications from both staff and freelance reporters from all types of media organizations—international, national, local and community-based.
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? Is 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 urge action?
- Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.
Application
All applicants are strongly encouraged, but not mandated, to complete EJN’s zoonotic disease online course and the accompanying tutorial on developing data stories before submitting their proposal to EJN.
For more information, visit Earth Journalism Network.
