Deadline: March 28, 2026
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 programme is now open for applications, offering funding to media organisations and journalism-focused institutions working to strengthen reporting on biodiversity and conservation issues.
This grant opportunity is administered by the Earth Journalism Network (EJN), a programme of Internews. The initiative is designed to support impactful journalism projects that raise awareness about biodiversity loss, environmental challenges, and innovative conservation solutions.
Through the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026, selected organisations will receive funding to produce high-quality media content, conduct investigative reporting, and strengthen public understanding of biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
About the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 aims to strengthen environmental journalism in countries where biodiversity is rich but often underreported. The programme encourages media organisations to produce in-depth reporting that highlights the urgent need to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
The initiative recognises that strong journalism plays a crucial role in informing the public, influencing policy discussions, and encouraging responsible environmental management.
Through this programme, media organisations are supported to develop projects that:
- Improve the quality and depth of biodiversity reporting
- Raise public awareness about environmental issues
- Encourage informed decision-making on conservation policies
- Highlight innovative solutions to biodiversity loss
Projects funded under the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 may include investigative journalism, collaborative reporting initiatives, multimedia storytelling, or capacity-building activities for journalists.
Grant Value and Funding Amount
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 will provide financial support to a limited number of organisations with strong proposals.
Key funding details include:
- Grant Amount: €10,000 – €12,000 per project
- Number of Grants: Approximately 3–4 organisations will be funded
- Project Duration: Determined based on the approved proposal and reporting timeline
The funding is intended to cover costs associated with producing impactful journalism projects, including reporting expenses, multimedia production, training initiatives, and collaboration among journalists.
Who Can Apply
The Biodiversity Media Grants is open to organisations operating in low- and middle-income countries.
Eligible applicants include:
- Media organisations
- Journalism networks or associations
- Civil society organisations working on media or environmental issues
- Academic institutions or journalism training organisations
Applications from organisations working in biodiversity-rich regions or areas facing severe biodiversity loss are strongly encouraged.
Preference may also be given to professional media organisations with a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality journalism.
It is important to note that proposals focusing primarily on political advocacy or campaigning will not be considered under this programme.
Focus Areas of the Grant
Projects submitted to the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 should focus on increasing public awareness and understanding of biodiversity challenges.
The programme encourages proposals addressing topics such as:
Nature-Based Solutions
Projects may explore solutions that integrate biodiversity conservation with climate action, including nature-based approaches that protect ecosystems while addressing environmental challenges.
Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing
Applicants may examine the relationship between biodiversity and issues such as:
- Food security
- Public health
- Local livelihoods
- Sustainable development
Impacts of Conservation Policies
Another important focus area is reporting on unintended consequences of conservation measures, including social or economic impacts on local communities.
Biodiversity Loss and Conservation Efforts
Projects may investigate the drivers of biodiversity loss and highlight innovative conservation strategies, community-led initiatives, and policy solutions.
Types of Projects Supported
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 encourages a wide range of journalism initiatives.
Eligible project formats include:
- Investigative journalism projects
- In-depth reporting series on biodiversity issues
- Data-driven journalism initiatives
- Multimedia storytelling projects
- Podcasts and audio storytelling
- Collaborative reporting projects across multiple media outlets
- Training programmes for journalists on biodiversity reporting
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative storytelling formats that can effectively communicate biodiversity issues to diverse audiences.
Budget Guidelines
Applicants must submit a detailed project budget as part of their application.
The following financial guidelines apply to the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026:
- Equipment purchases must not exceed 10% of the total project budget
- Staff costs exceeding 50% of the total budget must be justified
- Co-funding from other sources is allowed but not required
Budgets should clearly explain how funds will be used to achieve the project’s objectives and produce meaningful journalism outputs.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
Successful projects under the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 are expected to produce impactful journalism outputs.
These may include:
- Multi-story investigative series on biodiversity topics
- Documentary or multimedia reporting projects
- Podcasts and audio storytelling
- Cross-border journalism collaborations
- Capacity-building programmes for journalists
All published outputs must acknowledge support from the Earth Journalism Network.
The programme aims to ensure that funded projects reach wide audiences and contribute to greater public understanding of biodiversity conservation.
Application Requirements
To apply for the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026, applicants must prepare and submit the following materials:
- A detailed project proposal describing the journalism project
- A project budget using the required template
- Organisational details and background information
- Supporting documents related to the proposed media project
All applications must be submitted in English.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their proposals clearly outline the intended impact of the project, the target audience, and how the proposed reporting will contribute to stronger biodiversity journalism.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit applications for the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 is:
28 March 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue Time).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their proposals before the deadline to avoid technical issues during the application process.
Why This Grant Matters for Environmental Journalism
Environmental journalism plays a critical role in shaping public awareness and informing decision-making related to environmental protection.
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 provides an important opportunity for media organisations to:
- Investigate critical biodiversity issues
- Produce impactful environmental reporting
- Increase awareness of conservation challenges
- Promote solutions that protect ecosystems and biodiversity
By supporting journalism initiatives around the world, the programme helps strengthen media coverage of one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Final Thoughts
The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for media organisations, journalist networks, and academic institutions to secure funding for impactful biodiversity reporting.
With funding of up to €12,000, selected organisations can undertake investigative journalism projects, multimedia storytelling initiatives, and collaborative reporting efforts that raise awareness about biodiversity loss and conservation solutions.
Organisations interested in environmental journalism and biodiversity storytelling are encouraged to prepare strong proposals that demonstrate both journalistic quality and potential impact.
Need Help Preparing Your Application?
Preparing a strong grant proposal can significantly increase your chances of securing funding.
If you require assistance with proposal drafting, proposal refining, or application review, professional support can help ensure your submission meets the required standards.
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
Application Links
Apply for the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026: https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/biodiversity-media-grants-2026
Read more about the programme
