Apply for Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 (Up to €12,000) – Earth Journalism Network Funding Opportunity

Media organizations working to strengthen biodiversity reporting can now apply for the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026, offered by Internews through its Earth Journalism Network (EJN).

This funding opportunity will support three to four media organizations in low- and middle-income countries with grants ranging from €10,000 to €12,000 to improve the quality and quantity of biodiversity journalism and build the capacity of reporters covering conservation issues.

Why Biodiversity Reporting Matters

According to the latest findings from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, in 2023, $7.3 trillion was invested in activities directly harming biodiversity, compared to just $220 billion invested in environmental protection and restoration. This alarming 30:1 imbalance highlights the urgent need for informed public discourse and accountability.

Despite the severity of biodiversity loss, these issues remain underreported globally. EJN’s Biodiversity Media Initiative aims to close this gap by equipping journalists and media outlets with the resources, mentorship, and funding necessary to produce impactful reporting.

Grant Overview

Selected organizations will:

• Receive €10,000–€12,000 in funding

• Gain access to experienced mentors throughout the project

• Implement initiatives that raise awareness of biodiversity threats and conservation solutions

• Produce robust journalism outputs (minimum 10 stories unless combined with capacity-building activities)

Projects should focus on increasing public understanding of biodiversity challenges and solutions, especially among audiences in lower- and middle-income countries.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Media organizations

• Journalist networks

• Civil society organizations

• Academic institutions

Applicants must be based in countries classified as low- or middle-income by the World Bank. Preference will be given to professional journalists, media outlets, and journalism schools.

Important notes:

• Applications must be submitted in English.

• Advocacy or political campaigning projects will not be considered.

• Organizations funded by EJN in 2024 are not eligible.

• Transparency about the use of generative AI in proposal preparation is required.

Priority Themes for 2026

EJN is particularly interested in proposals addressing one or more of the following topics:

• Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) as alternatives contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 target

• Business dependencies and impacts on nature

• Collaborative conservation models involving communities, governments, and private sector actors

• Nature-based solutions supporting biodiversity, climate mitigation, food security, and livelihoods

• Unintended harmful effects of conservation policies

• Interconnections between biodiversity and public health

Examples of Funded Activities

Projects may include:

• In-depth investigative or data-driven reporting

• Transboundary collaborative journalism initiatives

• Workshops and field training for journalists

• Development of e-learning tools and reporting resources

• Creation of storytelling platforms

• Establishment or strengthening of journalist networks

• Innovative mapping, data visualization, or fact-checking tools

Grant Timeline

• Application Deadline: March 28, 2026

• Notification of Successful Applicants: April 2026

• Project Start Date: May 2026

• Project Completion Deadline: April 2027 (within 12 months)

Budget and Logistics

Applicants must submit:

• A detailed Excel budget using the official template

• Justification for all requested costs

While co-financing is encouraged, it is not mandatory. Equipment purchases are allowed but must represent a relatively small portion of the total budget and directly contribute to project outcomes.

For projects producing published content, Internews and its partners retain rights to edit and distribute funded materials.

Safety and Acknowledgement Requirements

Grantees are encouraged to develop risk management plans addressing physical, digital, and mental health safety. Relevant costs can be included in the project budget.

All published work must include the acknowledgement:
“This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.”

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Internews staff and environmental journalism experts. Evaluation will be based on:

• Overall proposal quality

• Relevance to program objectives

• Potential impact and effectiveness

• Innovation

• Financial feasibility

• Organisational capacity

• Geographic diversity

How to Apply

1. Click  “Apply now” 

2. Log in or create an account.

3. Complete the online application form.

4. Upload required supporting documents, including your detailed budget.

5. Submit before March 28, 2026.

The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 present a major opportunity for media organizations in biodiversity-rich or vulnerable regions to strengthen environmental journalism and amplify critical conservation stories.

If your organization is ready to deepen public understanding of biodiversity challenges and drive impactful reporting, this grant could provide both the funding and mentorship needed to make a difference.

Discover more grant Opportunities here.