Biodiversity Story Grants 2026: Funding Opportunity for Journalists to Report on Global Nature Crisis
The Earth Journalism Network is offering Biodiversity Story Grants 2026 for journalists in low- and middle-income countries. Apply by May 1, 2026, to receive funding and mentorship for in-depth biodiversity reporting.
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN), an initiative of Internews, has launched the Biodiversity Story Grants 2026 to support journalists producing in-depth reporting on biodiversity and conservation issues. The initiative aims to improve global coverage of biodiversity loss while highlighting innovative solutions and conservation efforts.
The grant opportunity is designed to assist journalists in developing compelling stories that shed light on the accelerating biodiversity crisis and its impacts on ecosystems, economies, and communities. Selected applicants will receive financial support, mentorship, and guidance from experienced editors throughout the reporting process.
Programme Overview
The Biodiversity Story Grants 2026 respond to growing concerns about environmental degradation and declining species populations. According to the World Wildlife Fund Living Planet Report 2024, monitored wildlife populations have declined significantly over the past five decades. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List shows tens of thousands of species at risk of extinction.
Despite the urgency of these issues, biodiversity topics remain underreported compared to other environmental challenges. Through this grant programme, EJN seeks to increase both the quantity and quality of biodiversity coverage worldwide.
The initiative will fund between five and ten journalists or teams to produce in-depth stories focusing on biodiversity conservation, threats to ecosystems, and potential solutions. In addition to funding, recipients will benefit from mentorship to strengthen their storytelling and investigative reporting skills.
Funding Details
Selected journalists will receive grants averaging between €1,000 and €2,000. The funding is intended to cover reporting-related expenses such as travel, research, and production costs. A portion of the budget may also include a stipend for the journalist’s time, particularly for freelancers.
Grants are expected to be awarded in May 2026, with all funded stories scheduled for publication by December 1, 2026. Longer timelines may be considered for complex investigative projects.
Priority Themes
EJN is seeking ambitious story proposals that explore biodiversity from innovative and investigative perspectives. Priority themes include:
- Conservation measures outside traditional protected areas
- Business impacts and dependencies on nature
- Collaborative conservation involving communities and private sector
- Nature-based solutions supporting climate and livelihoods
- Unintended negative effects of conservation efforts
- Links between biodiversity and public health
- Comparisons between conservation approaches in different regions
Proposals using multimedia, cross-border collaboration, or data journalism techniques are strongly encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to journalists working in low- and middle-income countries, including upper-middle-income economies. Journalists from any country may apply, provided their stories focus on eligible regions.
The programme encourages applications from underrepresented areas such as Central America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southwest Asia, and biodiversity-rich African regions. Countries experiencing rapid biodiversity loss are also prioritized.
Both individual journalists and teams may apply. For group applications, one lead applicant must submit the proposal and serve as the main contact.
Applicants must:
- Have professional reporting experience
- Work in print, online, radio, or television media
- Submit applications in English
- Provide transparency regarding any use of generative AI tools
- Demonstrate a clear publication plan
Early-career journalists, freelancers, and reporters from community media organizations are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare the following:
- A detailed story proposal
- Budget breakdown using the provided template
- Signed letter of support from an editor
- Two samples of previous work
- Publication plan confirming completion by December 1, 2026
Stories can be published in any language, but an English translation must be included if necessary.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Relevance to biodiversity issues
- Originality and fresh storytelling angle
- Potential reach and audience impact
- Investigative or narrative strength
- Use of innovative storytelling approaches
- Feasibility and timely publication plan
Stories that highlight underreported topics or new solutions are more likely to be selected.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Pacific/Niue). Late submissions will not be considered.
Interested applicants must create or log into their account on the application platform and submit all required documents. For technical questions, applicants can contact [email protected].
Final Thoughts
The Biodiversity Story Grants 2026 present a valuable opportunity for journalists to contribute to global environmental awareness. By funding impactful storytelling and providing mentorship, the Earth Journalism Network aims to strengthen media coverage of biodiversity and encourage informed public discourse on conservation.
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