DEADLINE: ERC Collaborative Reporting Grants

The Environmental Reporting Collective accepts applications quarterly for Collaborative Reporting Grants open to media outlets, journalists and freelancers.

The Environmental Reporting Collective (ERC) is now again accepting applications for its Collaborative Reporting Grants to support journalists working together on tracing environmental crimes across borders.

In 2022, ERC supported nine teams of reporters working from more than a dozen countries. The collaboration allowed the reporters to investigate global stories with a local perspective as well as find new and innovative ways of telling stories. They uncovered environmental issues across the globe, from how oil and gas burning is suffocating minorities in northern Iraq to how glacial retreat is causing food insecurity in the Himalayas and how locals here turn to community-based methods of adaptation.

In this round, ERC seeks to support similar stories as well as reports specific to sand mining as a follow-up to Beneath the Sands. The grants are aimed at promoting collaborations to allow journalists from different countries to fill in gaps in each others’ reporting. Applications must include at least two journalists or news outlets from two different countries or regions. Freelance journalists are welcome to apply.

Here are some stories ERC supported for inspiration:

• Choking Kurdistan
• Refugees Claim Gas Flaring Cancer Link in Northern Iraq
• Kurdistan Regional Government likely to miss flaring phase-out deadline, satellite data suggests
• “Our Life is Wasted”: On Melting Glaciers and Gender Roles
• Himalayan Water Stress Boosts Sustainable Agriculture
• What Unregulated Tourism Means for the Future of the Himalayas
• Kashmir: How Glacier Melt Is Triggering a Change in Land Use Patterns

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re interested and ready to apply, please prepare the following:

• A one-page story proposal with details of your idea and reporting plan. The proposal must emphasize what’s going to be new or revelatory about your story and how each reporter will contribute to the story.
• A budget that lays out the anticipated expenses for the project. This may include fees for records requests, travel and lodging, and stipend for freelance reporters. Please download and use ERC’s budget template here.
• Resumes for each journalist with links to previously published reports and at least two professional references.
• For media outlets, data about your reach, audience, and links to previous investigations. Note: News outlets are strongly encouraged to sign up as a partner newsroom with ERC before or when applying, but it's not required and will not jeopardize their application.
• For staff writers, a letter of support from an editor in your newsroom.
• For freelance journalists, a letter of interest from a news outlet that is willing or committed to publish your story.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible to apply to the ERC Collaborative Reporting Grants?

At least two journalists working from two different countries or regions. Staff or freelance reporters are welcome to apply.

How detailed should my story proposal be?

The proposal should demonstrate what’s going to be new or revelatory about your story and how each reporter will contribute to the collaboration.

How much financial support will grantees receive?

ERC will support a maximum of five reporting teams. The amount will be determined by your budget proposal to be discussed with ERC. Please include a budget detailing your anticipated expenses. This may include fees for records requests, travel and lodging, and stipend for freelance reporters. Please download and use ERC’s budget template here.

What are the benefits of becoming an ERC grantee?

Apart from the financial support, ERC offers the opportunity to work on an underreported environmental issue in a collaborative manner. We can also connect you with mentors and our network of experts as well as relevant training opportunities.

What is ERC’s role in the editorial process?

The grantees and their news outlets have editorial independence over their work. ERC editors would be committed to providing guidance as needed.

When does the grant start and how long should the project last?

The reporting should start around September 2023 and typically be done in four to six months.

How should I send my application?

Please send your application to contact@investigative.earth with the subject head “Your Surname's Grant Application.” ERC will get back to you within a month after receiving your application.

When is the deadline to apply for the ERC Collaborative Reporting Grants?

Applications for Collaborative Reporting Grants are now open. The deadline is Aug 15, 2023.

I have additional questions.

Please contact Karol Ilagan at contact@investigative.earth.