New reporting grants for environmental and natural resource journalism

The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR) is currently seeking proposals from professional journalists for its latest round of reporting grants.

These awards are designed to defray expenses for in-depth projects focusing on critical areas such as the environment, climate change, and public health.

The primary mission of the Environmental and Natural Resource Reporting Grant is to provide the necessary financial backing for reporters to tackle important stories that might otherwise go uncovered due to budget constraints.

IJNR ensures that grant winners maintain full editorial control over their work without any interference from the institute.

Funding and benefits

Grant funds are flexible and can be applied toward standard reporting costs, including travel, research, and lodging. Additionally, up to 20% of the total grant amount may be allocated as personal compensation for the journalist’s time.

While IJNR may fund the full amount requested or only a percentage, recipients have a full year to utilize the resources for their projects,. All story ideas remain strictly confidential until publication to protect the integrity of the journalist’s work.

Beyond the monetary support, this program offers journalists the opportunity to pursue high-impact stories while receiving 1099 tax documentation for the funds received.

Recipients are asked to acknowledge IJNR’s support in their final published pieces whenever editorial policies allow.

Application requirements and eligibility

Eligibility is limited to working journalists and freelancers who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to accuracy and fairness. The program specifically excludes individuals working in public relations, lobbying, or communications for organizations and government entities.

Applicants must ensure their reporting projects are either based in or directly related to North America to qualify for consideration.

Furthermore, IJNR strongly encourages applications from journalists of color and those from other marginalized or underrepresented communities.

Priority status is given to those who have not been awarded an IJNR reporting grant within the past three years. While journalists working for nonprofits are welcome to apply as individuals, the grants are never issued directly to the organizations themselves.

Proposals must be for future reporting, as the funding cannot be used as reimbursement for work that has already been completed. Journalists must also accept that IJNR assumes no liability for any legal or safety risks encountered during the reporting process.

Deadline

Interested journalists should submit their single best proposal through the official IJNR application portal before the current cycle closes. Once a grant is received, the check must be deposited within 90 days to avoid forfeiture of the funds.

Visit the IJNR call page to apply. Explore our global opportunities page for more.