All Hear April 2024
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Welcome (back) to All Hear, the Everything List for Audio Opportunities.
You might know me as an organiser of resources, but I’m an audio maker too! Last month I wrote an article for Transom, The Many Lives of “Dead Ends”, about a piece I made for BBC Radio 4’s Lights Out series. I also spoke to Rob Rosenthal for the latest Sound School episode, hosted by Transom and PRX, in case you’re curious as to what I do outside of All Hear.
It’s finally springtime in this part of the world, and I feel inspired to experiment, play and change. Fittingly, this month has lots of lovely opportunities for grassroots audio creativity. There’s In The Dark’s “What’s New?” call out, which is asking for pieces from “new” international audio makers, or experiments in form from “old” ones; there’s THE ECCO, a non-commercial initiative designed to tug at the boundaries of the world of audio storytelling; and BOLD MUD open call for early-career, queer London-based creatives working at the intersections of performance art and live electronic music. The Artistic Residency for European Cooperation Project, a 7-day residencies in Lille, Proto or Prague for European artists with a close relation with music and sound, also seems really cool. And, for the first time ever KALW Audio Academy is offering participants a stipend of up to $9000 for the duration of their 9-month training programme, which is great news.
This month’s Spotlight is another exciting creative audio call out… Audio Flux! It’s a call out for 3-minute pieces from international creators, which have to conform to certain prompts. Select pieces receive $750 and a feature in a big audio festival in New York.
All Hear is free and always will be, but if you would like to show your support and help to keep it sustainable then you can buy me a coffee or donate to Transom.
Talia x
International
Don Bolles Medal - an international award recognising investigative journalists who have exhibited extraordinary courage in standing up against intimidation or efforts to suppress the truth about matters of public importance. Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
The deadline is rolling. You can find other opportunities with rolling deadlines here.
The Pulitzer Center’s Conflict and Peace Grants - funding for in-depth reporting, covering conflict and its impact, which touches on a broad range of topics, including possible pathways to peace. Pulitzer Center journalists examine the roots of conflict and its connections with many underreported global issues, from mass migration to authoritarianism, gender violence, and the struggle over natural resources. Grants are open to all journalists: writers, photographers, radio producers, and filmmakers; emerging or veteran, staff journalists as well as freelancers. For safety, freelancers who will be reporting in a war zone will need a firm assignment from outlets agreeing in writing to take full responsibility for your safety and well-being. They are seeking the appropriate balance of experience, safety training, language skills, and reporting project plans and details.
The deadline is rolling. You can find other opportunities with rolling deadlines here.
Hammarskjöld Journalism Fellowships - an opportunity for mid-career journalists aged 25 to 35 from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania to cover deliberations of the 79th United Nations General Assembly for around 10 weeks. Applicants should have a compelling interest in international affairs and the work of the United Nations and its member agencies. Both full-time and freelance journalists are invited to apply from print, television, radio or internet journalism. Applicants must: be currently reporting to audiences in the eligible countries; have a current passport with which they will obtain a I-1 journalist visa; have a working knowledge of English. They do not specify what support, financial or otherwise, they will offer fellows.
The deadline is 5th April, 11:59 pm ET.
Solutions Journalism Accelerator Freelancers Call - grant funding of up to €8500 for 12 journalists or small teams of journalists (staff or freelance) to create and disseminate impactful stories focusing on the Global South, through a Solutions Journalism approach. Solutions journalism is rigorous and evidence-based reporting that primarily focuses on responses to societal problems. The term Global South refers to countries classified by the World Bank as low- or middle-income. Projects will provide new insights, shed light on underreported topics, and explore global development issues. They must address one or more of the first six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): No Poverty; Zero Hunger; Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; and Clean Water and Sanitation. Applicants must have experience in reporting on development topics. There are no citizenship or residency restrictions, but applicants must have a track record of publication in respected media outlets in France, Germany, or the U.K. The projects/stories must be published in opinion-forming media organisations in France, Germany, or the U.K. The story can be published in any format or a mix of formats, including print, online/web, television, radio, podcast, or online video. Freelance applicants should be signed up to a press regulator, trust initiative, or part of a press association.
The deadline is 5th April, 5 pm CEST.
Bemis Center Sound Art + Experimental Music Artists-in-Residence Open Call - 3-month residencies for two international artists working in sound, composition, voice, and experimental genres and tools to receive financial, technical, and administrative support, along with dedicated facilities for rehearsing, recording, and performing new works that expand the field of sound art and music. Artists-in-residence will be offered a generously sized, private live/work studio complete with kitchen and bathroom as well as 24-hour access to Bemis Center’s Sound Studio. Selected residents will also have access to installation and production spaces and the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility. U.S. based artists receive a $2000 monthly stipend, a $750 travel stipend, a $7000 materials budget, and a $1000 shipping budget to cover the transportation of items or equipment to and from the residency. Due to the limitations of B2 visas, international artists-in-residence are only eligible to receive reimbursement of qualified expenses, including airfare, ground transportation, and meals. There are no expectations placed on residents to create or perform. They have spring, summer and fall sessions available. It costs $40 to apply.
The deadline is 8th April, 11:59 pm CT.
Skaņu Mežs Sound Art Open Call - a 2-week artistic residency in Riga, Latvia for international sound artists as part of the Skaņu Mežs festival for experimental music’s tekhnē sound art project. Tekhnē delves into technology’s diverse nature, examining its potential for both empowerment and disruption, so participants will be asked to create sound-based artworks that creatively examine the role of technology. Selected artists will have their travel expenses, accommodation and technical costs covered, and will also receive a fee (unspecified). Skaņu Mežs and tekhnē seek pieces that are versatile enough to be performed live and reimagined as sound installations for public exhibition. They should be made ready within said 1-2 week period for presentation thereafter. The residency will take place in September and the presentation will be scheduled from late September to mid-October as part of the Skaņu Mežs festival. At this stage, they are primarily seeking ideas from applicants. Once the selection process is complete, they will then discuss in more detail their realisation and budget requirements.
The deadline is 8th April.
EJN Biodiversity Media Grants (Organisations) - €10,000 - €12,000 organisational grants from the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) to support activities in low- or middle-income countries that strengthen media reporting on biodiversity issues. Applicants could be journalist networks, media organisations, civil society organisations or academic institutions that are working to improve media coverage of biodiversity and conservation in the aforementioned areas of the world. The definition of low- or middle-income countries is determined by the World Bank, see more here. They will not consider applications rooted in advocacy or political campaigning. Applications must be in English, but stories and training materials can be produced in any language. Applications by individual journalists will not be accepted for this media grant opportunity, there will be a separate grant for individuals soon.
The deadline is 9th April, 11:59 pm Pacific/Niue.
National Geographic Society Grants Program - a diverse community of international changemakers working to support National Geographic’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. They fund individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of their focus areas of: Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human Histories and Cultures, and Human Ingenuity. Level I Grants are $20,000 and designed for individuals who might be: earlier in their career; looking to better establish themselves in their field; seeking mentorship; wanting to grow their network; or enhance their impact by joining a global community of National Geographic Explorers. Level II Grants are designed for those who might be: more established in their fields; have previously received a National Geographic Society grant; or are seeking a higher level of funding. Level II Grants typically receive funding of $50,000 - $60,000, but awards of up to $100,000 are possible in exceptional and well-justified cases. Applicants must be over the age of 18. Previous Explorers have been audio, radio and podcast makers.
The deadline is 11th April.
Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism - a 1-year opportunity supporting a diverse cohort of journalists from the U.S. and Ireland to report on some of society’s biggest mental health challenges. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in journalism, in any medium. Fellows will attend mandatory, expense-paid Fellowship Training Meetings in Atlanta at the beginning and end of the fellowship year. Preference is given to journalists who work with or for a media outlet that expresses commitment to publishing or broadcasting fellowship projects. Fellows employed full-time are not required to leave their jobs.
The deadline is 12th April, 11:59 pm ET.
MA/IN Festival Call for Works - a call out for international acousmatic and instrumental sound works involving live or prerecorded electronic/multimedia elements for the MA/IN festival. The call is also open to experimental audiovisual works, multimedia performances, and sound/multimedia installations. This year the festival has two active collaborations, one with the Artescienza Festival in Rome and one with the TempoReale Festival in Florence, which will feature the selected pieces during their programmes. Successful applicants will receive a travel grant of €3000. Entries cost €25.
The deadline is 14th April.
Tabakalera-Chillida Leku Residency - an 8-week residency for international artists, promoting artistic creation and research linked to the relationship between contemporary art, public space and landscape. It will take place between October and December in Tabakalera, an International Centre for Contemporary Culture in San Sebastian, Spain. Provided resources include a return journey, accommodation, studio space, health insurance, €2000 total plus up to €1500 in project funding and artistic support.
The deadline is 15th April, 11 am CET.
International Journalism Programmes - 6- to 8-week exchange programmes which enable German and international journalists to travel to each other’s countries and report in host organisations. Each delegate will receive a stipend which is intended to cover most of their travel expenses, meals and accommodation, and varies depending on the programme. Age ranges sometimes apply. All candidates must have a strong command of English. Radio journalists are welcome to apply, and applicants can be staff or freelance, unless otherwise specified.
International Journalism Programme (IJP) initiatives with upcoming deadlines are:
German-Turkish Journalism Programme - for Turkish and German journalists between the ages of 25 and 45. Due to the security situation, the IJP is not sending any German journalists to Turkey this year, so this is a remote collaboration. German journalists will write at least two articles or develop radio reports together with Turkish colleagues in Germany or in an EU country in October or November. All publications should be in either German, Turkish or English, preferably bilingual. Delegates receive a €1800 stipend.
The deadline is 15th April.
German-South Eastern European Journalism Programme for Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian and German journalists to report on climate and energy issues, taking place between October and December. The delegates receive a €3800 stipend.
The deadline is 30th April.
The IJP Marion Gräfin Dönhoff Program for Georgian, Armenian, Moldovan and German journalists, taking place between October and November. There are occasional collaborations with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as well as Russian-speaking editorial offices in the Baltic countries. The delegates receive a €3800 stipend.
The deadline is 30th April.
German-Central Eastern European Journalism Programme for Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Slovenian, Slovakian and German journalists, taking place between October and December. The delegates receive a €3800 stipend.
The deadline is 1st May.
Grand Prix Nova - an international radio drama festival held in Bucharest, Romania. Works in any language are permitted, but you must provide an English translation. There are three categories, Radio drama (€4000 prize), Short forms (€2000) and Binaural Drama (€2000). It is free to enter, but NOTE: if you win, you (or someone from your team) must be present in Romania to accept the award. This year the festival takes place 23rd - 28th June.
The deadline is 15th April.
60 Second Radio Competition - a competition for work that is exactly 60 seconds. Any style is accepted: radio art, collage, soundscape, radio theatre, sonic prose and poetry, sound art, creative documentary, mutant radio, sonic captures — anything is possible as long as it's 60 seconds long. This year’s theme is “The Happiness!” Works in any language are permitted, but if the work is not in Spanish, English or French a translation should be provided.
The deadline is 15th April, 11:59 pm ET.
The Oral History Association Emerging Crises Oral History Research Fund - funding of up to $4000 for oral history research during situations of crisis in the U.S. and internationally. Funds may be applied to travel, per diem, or transcription costs for research in places and situations in which a longer application time schedule may be problematic. Such crisis situations include but are not limited to: wars, natural disasters, political or economic/ethnic repression, or other currently emerging events of crisis proportions. NOTE: I believe it is open to international applicants, but cannot be sure.
The deadline is 15th April.
South Carolina Emerging Artist Grants - grants of up to $1800 for South Carolina based artists in the first 1-5 years of their careers. Sound artists are welcome to apply. Grant funds must be used for actual project costs.
The deadline is 16th April, 11:59 pm ET.
SPJ Ethics in Journalism Awards - an international award honouring journalists or news organisations that perform in an outstanding ethical manner demonstrating the ideals of the SPJ Code of Ethics. They also honour especially notable efforts to educate the public on principles embodied in the code or hold journalists ethically accountable for their behaviour. Previous winners have included radio producers. For works produced in non-English languages, entrants must provide an English translation. Applicants can nominate themselves or others.
The deadline is 17th April.
SPJ Fellow of the Society Award - a free-to-enter award recognising international journalists who have made an extraordinary contribution to the profession. Honorees must attend the SPJ Conference in Las Vegas in September.
The deadline is 17th April.
Colorado Public Radio Max Wycisk News Fellowship - an opportunity for recent graduates and early-career journalists, including those who are migrating from other mediums. Fellows will rotate across news teams over the course of their year with CPR, including Colorado Matters and CPR’s Public Affairs team, with an opportunity to develop some additional skills in long-form audio production. The position is full time for 12 months, from September 2024 to August 2025. The starting salary is $20.80/hour, for 40 hours/week. Fellows are expected to reside in Colorado.
The deadline is 21st April, 11:59 pm MT.
The ECCO - an international non-commercial initiative designed to tug at the boundaries of the world of audio storytelling, journalism, and documentary work. The theme is Little Devils and Small Rebellions.
They are asking for audio pieces, no longer than 5 minutes where you explore the theme in whichever way you'd like. You can submit in any language as long as you provide a time-coded English transcript. The most outstanding pieces submitted will be showcased during the inaugural ECCO Sessions event 31st May in Berlin, and the makers will get featured on the website and social media.
The deadline is 21st April, 11:59 pm CEST.
Poynter Editorial Integrity and Leadership Fellowship - a 9-month fellowship for 26 U.S. based public media journalists to strengthen their news leadership and ethical decision-making skills. Fellows receive individual coaching, sessions from industry experts and work on a personal project. This fellowship requires an initial 1-week trip to St. Petersburg, Florida, in September and twice-monthly online workshops from then on. It is free to apply. They do not specify what costs they cover for the trip.
The deadline is 22nd April.
Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship - a 7-month fellowship for international women, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming journalists focused on human rights and social justice issues. Fellows spend a semester at the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The Boston Globe, attending classes, seminars and events whilst pursuing independent research and gaining newsroom experience. Then fellows spend two months in New York City interning for The New York Times. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in journalism — this can be print, broadcast or digital, either as a staff journalist or freelancer. Non-native English speakers must have excellent written and verbal English skills. Accommodation, airfare, travel and any necessary visas are covered, and there is a fixed monthly stipend (unspecified) to cover extra living costs.
The deadline is 23rd April, 11:59 pm ET.
The John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism - a $25,000 award for an experienced journalist whose principal audience is in the U.S. They accept broadcast radio journalism nominations. If the original reporting is in a language other than English, transcripts or subtitles in English must be provided. NOTE: The application is extensive — applicants must provide 5-10 examples of their work, a nominating letter and up to three letters of support.
The deadline is 24th April.
Quill Podcast Awards - a free-to-enter international award for podcasters and podcast companies, which operates through a blend of public nominations and judging. There are 14 categories, spanning general, branded and company awards. You can nominate your own podcast or others, but there is only one nomination per person. Finalists are announced, and from these winners are selected by judges. They do not specify whether non-English language podcasts are eligible, but they say they are “open to everyone.”
The deadline is 26th April.
FIJ Funds - The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) offers grants of up to $10,000 three/four times a year for investigative journalism. All journalists can apply, but most are freelancers. Pitches for radio stories are welcome. International reporters are applicable but there must be a “strong U.S. angle involving American citizens, government, or business” and all stories must be published in English, in a U.S. based media outlet. In rare cases, they provide expedited review for proposals that you can prove are extremely urgent.
The next deadline is 29th April.
Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award - a free-to-enter international award for experienced journalists who have compiled a substantial body of work in science journalism. They offer a grant of at least $20,000 and mentorship to enable the winner to undertake a significant reporting project. Applicants must have at least 8–10 years of professional experience. Staff and independent journalists are eligible to apply. Audio and multimedia journalism is accepted.
The deadline is 30th April.
APVA Call for Session Hosts - a call out for international audio industry experts, seasoned professionals, enthusiasts, and emerging talents to pitch sessions to the African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA). They accept speakers and facilitators from across the audio spectrum, whether podcasters, voice-over artists and spoken word poets. Sessions can be pre-recorded or live. The APVA team provides toolkits, resources, and a platform for engagement, and amplified visibility. I believe it is unpaid and that sessions must be in English.
The deadline is “31st April,” which we assume means April 30th, the last day of the month.
The JAR Audio Pilot Competition for Emerging Women Podcasters - a title says a thousand words! This is a competition for emerging women podcasters. Pitch your podcast ideas to JAR and they will provide production support for a pilot episode for a selected winner. The creator retains 100% IP and can use this pilot to pitch to networks, etc. The genre is completely open. Jar will provide one creative strategy session, one marketing session, script vetting and recording, editing and mixing services. The competition is open to international applicants but the pitch and episode must be in English. NOTE: JAR “recognises an inclusive definition of womanhood.” You can read my Spotlight on JAR’s competition here.
The deadline is 1st May.
Online Journalism Awards - a celebration of international journalism, held by the Online News Association (ONA). The awards are open to newsrooms of all types — websites, micro sites, blogs, podcasts and all digital platforms. They also have The Student Journalism Award, for enrolled high school or undergraduate students (full- or part-time) who received academic credit for the submitted work; work produced for pay is ineligible. Entries may be submitted in any language, but non-English language entries must provide English translations. There have many awards, and six come with a cash prize: the 3M Truth in Science Award, the Gather Award in Community-Centered Journalism, the General Excellence in Online Journalism, the Knight Award for Public Service, the University of Florida Award for Investigative Data Journalism and Topical Reporting: Climate Change. Entries cost $200 per entry for non ONA Members, $125 per entry for ONA Members, $50 per entry for micro-newsrooms (with 15 or less employees), and between $15 and $30 for Students.
The deadline is 9th May, 11:59 pm ET.
Signal Awards - international podcasting awards. Entries cost between $195 and $705 depending on deadline and branded/non-branded. Non-English work is accepted but NOTE: all foreign language submissions that are reviewed by an English-speaking judge will be translated using Google Translate.
The early deadline is 10th May.
FIJ Seed Grants - The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) offers seed grants of up to $2500 to cover the expenses of preliminary investigative reporting such as open-records requests and initial reporting trips. The grants are primarily for freelance journalists and those who are not in full-time staff roles at a media outlet. Journalists must be U.S. based or working on a story with a very strong U.S. angle. Journalists who receive seed funding can apply for full grants (up to $10,000) once they conduct the preliminary reporting and secure a commitment from a media outlet to publish or broadcast the story.
The next deadline is 10th May.
Audio Flux Public Call for Works - Audio Flux is a new home for independent audio. They are inviting people to create short audio works in response to a set of prompts, inspired by a creative partner from another medium. This circuit’s theme is “Pet Sounds”, in collaboration with pet portrait artist Ben Lenovitz, and supported by the Independent Media Initiative (IMI). The prompts are that the pieces: run 3-minutes long, feature a pet protagonist or antagonist, exhibit a moment of audible ALL CAPS, referencethe colour blue. This round they have commissioned four original “fluxworks.” Alongside this, four public submissions will be chosen as Circuit Selects; receive $750, debut at an upcoming live event in NYC in June, and be featured on the website and the Audio Flux podcast (coming summer 2024). Ben Lenovitz will also paint an original portrait in response to each Circuit Select and commissioned work. Up to four additional submissions will be selected as Honorable Listens. These fluxworks will receive $300 and will be featured on audioflux.org and the Audio Flux podcast. Pieces can be made in any language, as long as an English translation is provided.
The deadline is 15th May, 11:59 pm ET.
In The Dark “What’s New?” Call Out - In The Dark and Transmission Roundhouse are hosting a listening event in London featuring “new” international audio creators. Newness is subjective, so the call out is open to anyone who feels new, on the basis of exposure, experience or craft. They are looking for creative audio rather than just interview shows or “chatcasts.” Work can be in any language so long as an English translation is provided. Submissions can have been made in any year, as long as entrants currently feel “new”. Applicants can submit one work up to 15 minutes or up to three works under 5 minutes; excerpts are allowed). Creators whose work is selected receive £50 and their work will be played at an event in August at The Dalston Curve Garden. Original creators maintain all IP.
The deadline is 17th May.
Karl Sczuka Prize for Works of Radio Art - an international €12,500 award and €2500 support grant for proposed radio art projects using musical material and structures in an acoustic performance which can be carried out in a two-week production at the Südwestrundfunk radio play studio in Germany. The prize is open to authors, composers, directors, and production teams. There is also The Karl Sczuka Research Grant in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut which offers €5000 euros to support the research phase for international radio art projects. It offers the possibility of a research stay in a non-German-speaking country. The Research Grant, awarded annually, is aimed at artists who work in the field of acoustic and time-based art (audio, performance, and sound) that deal with narrative, technical and artistic possibilities of the radio medium and are active in Germany.
The deadline is 23rd May.
PLAYA Residency - an international residency opportunity in the Oregon Outback for scientists, naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practice artists, musicians, visual artists, writers, performing artists, and individuals engaged in interdisciplinary work. The residency is located in a remote, rural area of Oregon with wide open vistas and opportunities for field explorations in rich natural settings. PLAYA’s 76-acre campus sits alongside an intermittent desert lake which is 10 miles wide and 20 miles long. Applicants may choose a 5-, 12- or 26- day session. Residents stay in individual cabins, free of charge, but are responsible for their own travel costs and food while they are in residence. Applications cost $30.
The deadline is 30th May, 11:59 pm PT.
Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism - awards which honour the work of freelance journalists, local reporters and news fixers in developing countries or nations in transition. There are three categories: Freelancer, Local Reporter and News Fixer. Each winner receives a cash prize of $5000.
The deadline is 31st May, midnight BST.
NAISA Call for Submissions - New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA) is looking for international submissions of art in the realms of sound, electroacoustic, videomusic, radio/transmission or interactive installation for this year’s programming. The theme is “There is Art in Our Nature.” NAISA encourages artists to submit works for interactive sound installations and sound sculptures for indoor and outdoor contexts. All works chosen for presentation will receive an “artist fee” (unspecified). All eligible entries will be considered for two awards: The James Bailey Award – a $300 award for inventive and adventurous works by Canadian artists that push the boundaries of radio and transmission art — and The Andra McCartney Mentorship Award — a $300 award and mentorship residency for Northern Ontario based artists who are new to the field of sound art. Entries cost $5.
The deadline is 31st May.
IAPA Excellence in Journalism Contest - a competition for media professionals from North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. Submitted work can be published or broadcast in a daily newspaper, weekly, magazine, news agency, online publication or radio and television stations. In the case of radio submissions, only works 10 - 15 minutes in length will be accepted. The majority of the first prizes in each category will be awarded $2000. The award ceremony will be held in October during the 80th IAPA General Assembly in Cordoba, Argentina.
The deadline is 31st May.
Google News Initiative Pre-launch Startups Lab - a free 8-week, fully-remote programme supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in journalism launch successful, trusted digital news organisations. Applicants can be solo founders or teams of aspiring entrepreneurs who have identified a community’s need for better news and want guidance and coaching on how to launch, or continue to develop, a news offering that delivers a solution rooted in journalism. The programme includes live weekly video seminars with a small cohort of like-minded journalism entrepreneurs, weekly 1:1 personalised coaching and a year of quarterly coaching after the Pre-launch Lab. I believe it’s international, but it’s not entirely clear.
The deadline is 31st May.
Oral History Project Grant - grants of up to $5000 awarded twice annually for serious research that uses oral history as a principal source. Applicants could be graduate students conducting research for their thesis or dissertation, or more advanced scholars for books or other scholarly projects. The interviews generated by these projects will become part of the collection of the Hagley Library, which guarantees the permanent preservation of and access to oral histories associated with any funded project. It is open to international applicants, but NOTE: they are specifically looking for stories on interconnected histories of American business, technology, and society. They especially seek oral histories representing the roles of women, African Americans and other ethnic minorities. Interviews must be conducted in English.
The deadline is 1st June.
The Dig Awards - international awards for investigative journalism in video or audio formats. The Audio & Podcast category includes podcasts, audio dramas and radio shows that tackle and cover relevant international stories using an investigative angle, original reporting techniques and a distinctive approach. The category is open to works in Italian, English, Spanish and French. The festival will take place 19th - 22nd September in Modena, Italy. Entries cost €50.
The deadline is 2nd June.
United States
The Sacramento Press Club Scholarships - funding of $4000 - $8000 for college students who will be juniors, seniors or graduate students for at least one term in the upcoming academic year and have a connection to the nine-county Sacramento region (Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada and Butte counties). There are three ways to meet this requirement, students can: be from the Sacramento region; be enrolled in a Sacramento region college or university (NOTE: SF Bay Area colleges/universities are not included in the Sacramento region); or show a demonstrated interest in covering news of the Sacramento region. Previous winners have included audio and radio journalists.
The deadline is 5th April, 11:59 pm PT.
NPR’s Next Gen Radio - free week-long intensive digital media trainings with a focus on narrative audio. Each selected participant is paired with a professional journalist and together they find, report, and produce a 3:30 to 4-minute-long non-narrated audio story. Anyone new to audio can apply — college students, recent graduates, people who have just started their own podcasts, and those looking to change careers. Selected participants also receive a stipend for their work that week. The programmes are digital-first, meaning they can be done remotely. You can read my Spotlight on NPR Next Gen here. There are various Next Gen applications, each with different requirements. You can apply to any programme at any time, but the project with an upcoming deadline is:
Gulf States Newsroom, for those in the Gulf states, takes place between 6th - 10th May.
The deadline is 7th April, midnight CT.
The National Press Club Lewis Scholarship (Summer) - free housing and a monthly stipend to support student journalists of colour who plan to intern at news media outlets in Washington, D.C., in summer 2024. Applicants must: be a college junior or senior; be over 18; identify as a person of colour; have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade-point average; provide a statement of financial need. Graduating seniors may apply for this scholarship if their internship takes place in the semester immediately following graduation.
The deadline is 7th April.
Vermont Arts Council Creative Grant - a grant of up to $5000 to individual artists or groups who are residents of Vermont. Funds must be used only for the creation of new work, including the artist’s time (and other artists’ time, if applicable), the cost of materials, equipment, studio space, travel, etc.
The deadline is 9th April, 1 pm ET.
Center for Health Journalism National Fellowship - a fellowship for U.S. based journalists which helps reporters and their newsrooms report deeply and authoritatively on the health, welfare and well-being of children, families and communities. Applicants must have a minimum of three years of professional experience. This involves an initial week of intensive learning in Los Angeles followed by five months of professional mentorship, including online skills-building workshops. They offer between $2000 - $10,000 to support a proposed project. Fellows also are eligible to apply for five months of professional mentorship in engaged journalism and $1000 - $2000 to support those creative efforts. Applicants can be freelance or full time, as long as they earn the majority of their income from journalism and have a confirmed assignment for their proposed projects. They allow for “multimedia elements” including audio.
The deadline is 10th April.
Solutions Journalism Educators Academy - a 2-day training at Stony Brook University for full-time educators at recognised U.S. based journalism programmes to learn how to teach the solutions journalism framework. This will cover: diverse and inclusive stories and sources; community engagement and interviewing; story structure; creating learning goals and objectives; and refining assignments and instructional activities. The training takes place 10th - 11th July.
The deadline is 10th April, 5 pm ET.
Journalism Fellowship on Covering Workplace Mental Health - a 2-day training fellowship for U.S. based journalists held by the National Press Foundation (NPF) in Washington, D.C. The training encourages accurate, nuanced and in-depth journalism on mental health issues, treatments and advances at work. Successful applicants will hear from expert speakers and instructors and have the opportunity to attend the Carolyn C. Mattingly Award for Mental Health Reporting winner’s reception. The foundation will cover airfare, hotel costs and most meals. Journalists in any medium are encouraged to apply. They particularly seek applications from journalists of colour, those reporting for marginalised communities and reporters for local and nonprofit news organisations. The training will be held 21st - 22nd May.
The deadline is 10th April.
Domestic Violence Symposium and Impact Reporting Fund - $2000 - $10,000 reporting grants for journalists covering domestic violence in California, providing reporters with a roadmap for covering the public health epidemic with nuance and sensitivity. Successful applicants also receive five months of professional mentorship from a veteran journalist, as well as the opportunity to compete for a $1000 - $2000 engagement grant. They are especially interested in projects that partner with community-based organisations for first-person storytelling. The majority of their fellows are full-time journalists working in newsrooms. NOTE: The grants are predominantly for text-based writing but they do allow for multimedia elements, such as audio.
The deadline is 11th April.
Every Voice, Every Vote Grant Program - $10,000 to $150,000 funding for community-centred journalism projects related to civic life in Philadelphia. Applicants can be Philadelphia-based media outlets of all kinds — community-based media, ethnic media, neighbourhood specific media, legacy and traditional media, public media, producing print, digital, radio, and television content. Projects focusing on one or more of the following issue areas: Public safety, Education, Economic opportunities, Affordable housing, Homelessness and Sustainability. The grant term will run from May 2024 through November 2025. See guidelines here.
The deadline is 14th April.
Dennis and Shirley Feldman Fellowship - a one-time stipend of $5000 to help defray post-graduate tuition costs for a U.S. student pursuing graduate studies in journalism. Applicants must be enrolled in, or in the process of applying for, admission to an accredited graduate programme in journalism. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Work samples can include broadcast news stories and clips from a podcast or other digital media.
The deadline is 14th April.
Oakland Voices Community Journalism Program - a 6-month programme designed to empower Oakland residents through newswriting, photography, and community storytelling. Applicants must be a high school senior or older. This year’s programme is a hybrid model, with both virtual and in-person elements. Meetings will take place on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Successful applicants will also be expected to attend at least three in-person Saturday training sessions throughout May to October and complete six assignments, which may also be published by programme partners, such as KALW Public Radio. Successful applicants will receive a $1500 stipend.
The deadline is 14th April, 11:59 pm PT.
Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships - an opportunity for early-career Minnesota and New York City based generative artists who take creative risks in exploring, expanding, imagining, or re-imagining creative practices and experiences. Fellows receive $20,000 a year for three years to support their time and expenses for the creation of new work, artistic development and/or professional artistic career development. Sound artists are eligible under the accepted discipline of music.
The deadline is 15th April, 5 pm ET.
Sound Path Webinar: Demystifying Public Radio - a free panel discussion which will break down the landscape of public media, discuss various pathways, and provide tips for freelancers looking to transition from other corners of the industry. I don’t usually include webinars in this newsletter, but this one seems particularly great and is free! It takes place on 18th April, 11 am - 12 pm PT. RSVP is required.
The deadline is 18th April.
KALW Audio Academy - a free 9-month audio journalism course in San Francisco. It requires between a 16- and 20-hour weekly commitment, including eight hours working on their daily news show Crosscurrents, and eight hours out in the field making your own personal stories. The programme includes weekly evening seminars taught by KALW reporters, engineers, and other special guests, as well as shadowing opportunities and mentorship from the station’s staff. For the first time this year, they’re offering participants a stipend of up to $9000 for the duration of the programme.
The deadline is 21st April, 11:59 pm PT.
The John B. Oakes Award - a $5000 prize for distinguished environmental journalism in the U.S. Radio and broadcast reporting are eligible, but you must include transcripts. To submit, you must have one to five pieces of environmental reporting. Applications cost $75.
The deadline is 22nd April, 11:59 pm ET.
Kozik Environmental Justice Reporting Grants - $10,000 - $25,000 grants from The National Press Foundation and the National Press Club Journalism Institute for U.S. based journalists working in any medium who plan to cover environmental justice or environmental racism in the U.S. Topics could include: coverage of the disproportionate harms done to disadvantaged communities from pollution, the effects of climate change, or other relevant topics. Freelance or staff journalists are eligible to apply; newsroom journalists must submit a note of support from their supervisor and freelance journalists should submit a note from an assignment editor expressing interest in their work. Work must be published or broadcast in a U.S. based media outlet.
The deadline is 24th April.
MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowships - a 4-month non-residential programme for U.S. based freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. based local/regional newsrooms to develop a high-impact news project that reports on how climate change and/or the shift to a low-carbon economy relates to local communities and regions, in a way that centres local messengers, values, and priorities. They offer: a multi-day virtual workshop where Fellows will connect with MIT climate scientists, earth modelling researchers, political scientists, energy economists, and others; access to an editor to support project structure and packaging; training on using MIT’s extensive resources; twice a month virtual cohort meetings; republication of the project through MIT and partner channels; and stipends of $10,000 plus up to $5000 for qualified expenses such as travel, multimedia development and hosting an event. Newsrooms can include newspapers, news magazines, broadcast stations, digital news outlets, and investigative journalism organisations. The fellowships start in June.
The deadline is 28th April.
FIJ Funds - The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) offers grants of up to $10,000 three/four times a year for investigative journalism. All journalists can apply, but most are freelancers. Pitches for radio stories are welcome. International reporters are applicable but there must be a “strong U.S. angle involving American citizens, government, or business” and all stories must be published in English in a U.S. based media outlet. In rare cases, they provide expedited review for proposals that you can prove are extremely urgent.
The next deadline is 29th April.
The Curve Award for Emerging Journalists - a $5000 cash award from The Curve Foundation for emerging Queer trans, women or nonbinary U.S. based journalists whose work fosters fair and accurate coverage and elevates the voices of LGBTQ+ women, trans and nonbinary people. Winners also receive a one-year complimentary membership to The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA), complimentary registration for the NLGJA Convention, a stipend provided to cover the costs of attending the convention, including travel and lodging, and professional mentorship. Work samples can include written or broadcast pieces. Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
The deadline is 30th April.
Women’s Audio Mission Girls on the Mic Program - free after-school creative technology and digital media training and mentoring for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 11-18 in public schools in under-resourced communities in Oakland and San Francisco. The production training covers a range of topics, including music production, coding, synthesisers, songwriting, podcast production, and more. Teachers can apply for the Girls on the Mic to their schools.
The deadline is unspecified; the next session is in June.
The NPR Student Podcast Challenge - a free-to-enter contest held by NPR for students at U.S. high schools. They’re looking for a compelling story between three and eight minutes long. They will choose winners in three categories: grade four, grades five through eight, and grades nine through 12. Entries must be made by teachers, and they have strict rules on music usage — submissions must not include any music created by anyone other than entrant and/or entrant's students. Entries will be judged by information and structure (40%), personality and creativity (40%) and production (20%). NPR reporters will come to the winners' school and interview them for a news segment that will appear on All Things Considered or Morning Edition. See the official rules here. You can read my Spotlight on the college edition of the competition here.
The deadline is 3rd May, 11:59 pm ET.
Women’s Audio Mission Internship Program (Summer) - a 2-month paid internship allowing women (transgender or cisgender) and non-binary/gender-expansive individuals in California’s Bay Area to learn audio engineering skills. Applicants will gain skills, build confidence and develop industry connections to prepare for a job in the audio industry; as well as receive hands-on studio training and learn how to share audio skills and knowledge to further support the organisation’s mission.The programme includes a commitment of a total of 18 hours per week, with both in-person and virtual components. The programme is recommended for those 21 years and older. Applicants receive a $2500 stipend once they have completed the programme. The summer internship runs 6th June - 1st August.
The deadline is 3rd May.
New Hampshire Artist Entrepreneurial Grants - funds for professional New Hampshire-based artists to develop their business skills, participate in programmes to better their art and increase the exposure of their work. Artists can request funding of $250 - $1000. It is not for the creation of new work or equipment purchases or other ineligible expenses listed here. Applicants must be 18+ and devote the majority of their time to practising, performing and/or teaching an arts discipline.
The next deadline is 3rd May.
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Arts Learning Project Program - grants of up to $5000 supporting arts learning activities in any arts discipline, for individuals or organisations. Applicants must have been primarily based in the Arrowhead region in California for at least six months.
The next deadline is 12th May, 11:59 pm CT.
Charles M. Rappleye Investigative Journalism Award - grants of up to $5000 awarded twice yearly to a working journalist or team of journalists in need of resources, either financial or in-kind. Applicants should have already completed significant work on their project and must be able to identify specific investigation or research steps that they are requesting support to carry out. Eligibility is open to all journalists, with preference given to journalists working in and/or writing about Southern California and the wider southwest. Any subject matter will be considered, and the fund encourages works about law enforcement, immigration and the border, local government and public corruption, the media, civil rights and labour rights, organised crime, U.S. policy and involvement in Latin America, and the history of Alta California. All formats and mediums will be considered, though NOTE: preference will be given to long-form print journalism.
The deadline is 13th May, 11:59 pm PT.
Europe
SoJo Europe - a training, grant, and mentoring programme for small European media news outlets, especially those serving underrepresented groups. The programme aims to create a cross-European solutions journalism knowledge hub and encourage systemic cooperation between professional news media organisations. In the initial stage of the programme, no money will be distributed, but members of the cohort will have the exclusive opportunity to apply for funding for their investigative projects that focus on climate change and integrate solutions journalism. The media outlets must be legally registered in any of the Creative Europe participating countries (EU27, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine). The result of the journalistic investigations can be published in any language.
The next deadline is 4th April.
Siemens Media “Technology with Purpose” Award - a recognition of the best journalists and content creators from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. The competition is open to journalists from print and digital media outlets, including radio, as well as social media and other content creators who have produced media coverage on technology. The five winners attend the ceremony which will take place in Vienna. The trip includes a stay in a hotel, a gala event and tickets to the famous Viennese Ball for media professionals, the Concordia Ball. At the gala event, one champion will be chosen and given a trip to the Salzburg Festival in Austria.
The deadline is 5th April.
K2.0 Kosovo Journalism Hub Fellowship - an 8-month mentorship programme promising Kosovan voices aged 18 to 35 in human rights-centered journalism. Fellows will receive intensive training, continuous mentorship and financial support to produce important stories. They aim to support written and multimedia projects, which can include audio elements. The training provided to selected participants will be customised to meet their specific needs and journalistic projects. Fellows receive €1500 to produce a story as part of the programme, which they will develop under the guidance of editors, intended for publication in K2.0 magazine. The programme consists of eight days of intensive workshops spread over two months, covering both technical skills and theoretical concepts, focusing specifically on journalistic ethics and the tools required to produce independent and original content. Applicants should have at least one year of professional experience and/or have completed two years of formal higher education in relevant fields. Applicants must be Kosovar nationals, currently residing in Kosovo. Applications may be submitted in Albanian, Serbian or English.
The deadline is 7th April.
Journalism Excellence Awards - a recognition of ethical reporting on Roma and the fight against racism and antigypsyism. They accept any media forms in all the Council of Europe (CoE) member states. Five categories will be evaluated and awarded a prize of €2000 at the Awards ceremony to be held in Strasbourg on 18th June. The application form must be submitted in English. The application material can be submitted in local languages, provided they are accompanied with a good quality English translation or summary. Relevant categories include: Investigative journalism award, Best interview award, Global event award, Special young journalists award. They have a young journalists award for journalists under the age of 26 (at the time of application) reporting on human rights, or ethnic minorities and racialised groups. I believe the awards are free to enter.
The deadline is 9th April, 11:59 pm CET.
Artistic Residency for European Cooperation Project - 7-day residencies in Lille, Proto or Prague for European artists with a close relation with music and sound, with a focus on experimentation, innovation, improvisation, cooperative creation and audience engagement. There are three available residencies this cycle, artists can apply to one, two or all of them, but selected artists will take part in only one. During each residency, a group of seven European artists will work collectively under several work strategies. In Prague, which will take place from 23rd - 29th September, the artists will work with a group of teenagers to prepare a site specific performance in a secondary school. In Lille, which will take place 7th - 13th October, the artists will create an in situ piece in collaboration with the locals, likely in a heritage site in relation to the industrial past of the region. In Porto, 12th - 18th May 2025, the focus of this residency will be the development of a series of small performances and recordings, with the local community in the surrounding neighbourhood. For the 7 days of work, each participant will receive a total fee of €1680. Travel, food and accommodation costs will be covered for the seven days of the residency.
The deadline is 15th April.
Sports Journalist Residency in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie - a 2-month residency for French sports journalists (staff or freelance) for the purpose of mediation and education with the different local educational, social or cultural stakeholders and the public in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Journalists from any medium can apply, but they are particularly interested in radio and podcast journalists. They offer up to €8000, travel costs up to €250 and podcast equipment. The journalist in residence will be invited to take on the major themes of the Territorial Sports Project in order to produce podcasts with the inhabitants of the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie.
The deadline is 17th April.
European Cross-Border Grants - funds for a cross-border team of at least two journalists to complete an investigative project. Most cross-border grants vary from €2000 - €14,000 per project, but there is no limit to apply for. Applicants must have at least two letters of intent from professional news outlets who are willing to publish the result of your investigation. Projects can be in any language, but the application must be in English. Although the majority of projects are print, they have supported podcast work before. The grant happens four times a year.
The next deadline is 25th April.
Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism - project-based grants for a cross-border team of professional journalists and/or news outlets to conduct investigations into environmental affairs related to continental Europe. This round, The Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism are giving out €400,000 in total. There is no limit to the amount you can request as long as the budget seems reasonable for the project. Successful applicants can also apply for mentorship. The final project can be published in any language.
The next deadline is 25th April, 1 pm CET.
Fossil Fuel Grant Programme - grants for cross-border teams of professional journalists or newsrooms to investigate and document unreported and unregulated wrongdoing by European fossil fuel companies and their proxies within and beyond the European continent. The resulting stories must be published in at least two outlets in two different countries, at least one must be a European media. The grants can also offer support to preliminary work in the development of new investigative projects. There is no limit to the amount you can request as long as the budget seems reasonable for the project. Next to financial support, teams can also apply for an experienced mentor to provide assistance with the focus of the investigation or a specific skill or competency. The resulting projects can be published in any language, but the application must be completed in English.
The deadline is 25th April.
Prix Bohemia (National) - a free-to-enter Czech and international audio award. They have three national categories for Czech applicants: Documentary, for radio documentaries of up to 60 minutes; Drama, for radio dramas, adaptations and dramatisations; and Podcast, for podcasts of any length with at least ten published episodes, or a finished podcast series with at least five published episodes. Pieces must have been published or broadcast in Czech and by the Czech media, with the exclusion of podcasts which can be published via the internet. Video podcasts cannot be submitted. There is also a Student Prize.
The deadline is 30th April.
Anna-Maria and Stephen M. Kellen Fellowships - funding for up-and-coming German journalists to examine critical issues and public-policy by comparing perspectives in German-American affairs. Applicants must: have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience; hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; hold German citizenship and live and work in Berlin; have a working knowledge of the English language. Fellows receive room and board for 21 days and a $7000 stipend to cover transatlantic airfare and domestic travel. Staff and freelancers can apply, but freelance journalists should demonstrate where related pieces could be published.
The deadline is 1st May.
Berliner Hörspielfestival - a radio drama festival in Berlin. They use the term “radio drama” loosely; they accept any genre, whether it’s narrative, documentary, language or sound experiments, etc. They have three competitions: Das Glühende Knopfmikro (“The Glowing Button Microphone”) for pieces up to 5 minutes long; Das Kurze Brennende Mikro (“The Short Burning Mic”), for pieces between 5 and 20 minutes; and Das Lange Brennende Mikro (“The Long Burning Mic”) for pieces between 20 and 60 minutes. Prizes include audio equipment. Works can be in any language as long as a German or english translation is provided. They also have Der MikroFlitzer (“The Speedster”); in late April they will release a specific sentence or sound and competitors have two weeks to create a radio drama of less than 60 seconds based on the prompt. Prizes include audio equipment.
The deadline is 12th May, midnight CEST.
FPD Low Countries Grant - funds for investigative journalists from Belgium and The Netherlands who want to collaborate for a cross-border local investigation. The proposed project must be published in at least one Dutch-language medium in Belgium and in one medium in the Netherlands. Applicants must have a letter of intent for publication from at least two professional news outlets. They accept any journalistic media, including radio documentaries and podcasts. There is no limit to the budget you can suggest.
The next deadline is 16th May, 1 pm CET.
The Pascal Decroos Fund - a grant programme for Dutch nationals to promote in-depth journalism in the Dutch-language media in Belgium. They are seeking original and innovative proposed projects which are relevant to Flanders and cannot be realised through regular journalistic channels. They have three types of grants: Investigative Journalism, In-depth Journalism and Preliminary Research. All journalistic media are accepted, including radio and podcasts. Both early-career and experienced journalists can apply, but those with more than two years of experience must provide a letter of intent for publication from at least one professional news outlet. There is no limit to the budget you can suggest.
The next deadline is 16th May, 1 pm CET.
Professional Development Grants for Environmental Journalism - funds for activities and services propelling environmental investigative journalism in Europe. They support project ideas from incorporated legal entities for training and professional development programmes related to environmental journalism. There is no limit to the amount you can request, so long as the budget seems reasonable for the project. The total amount distributed per call for all supported projects is around €115,000. The results of the projects can be published in any language.
The next deadline is 23rd May, 1 pm CET.
NTR Podcastprijs (Podcast Prize) - a prize for young creators under 30 from Belgium and the Netherlands for works in Dutch or Flemish. The form of the audio piece is completely free; it can be a narrative series/single documentary/sound art/radio play/reportage/news item/drama production/portrait/etc. The maximum length is 50 minutes. Ten podcasts will be nominated; the prizes include professional recording equipment, a visit to the Prix Europa in Berlin or a masterclass by the NPO fund.
The deadline is 24th May, 5 pm CEST.
United Kingdom + Ireland
Folded Wing Producer Call Out - the Essex-based indie audio production company Folded Wing is building a list of U.K. based producers, presenters and freelancers who’ve got a deep immersion in music and culture. They are producing a new daily late night programme for BBC Radio 3 called Round Midnight. The show will feature live music, including studio sessions, performances from global festivals and recordings from jazz clubs across the U.K. Interested producers should send their CV to contact [at] foldedwing [dot] co [dot] uk.
The deadline is as soon as possible.
Transmission Roundhouse Podcast Academy - an 11-week programme for 18-25-year-olds that teaches young people how to make a podcast and supports them in the production of their first series. The course is two hours in the evening each week, in person at The Roundhouse in London. They offer free access to their studios and pay certain expenses for the podcast such as artwork. It costs £25, but financial support is available if that is a barrier. Previous experience in audio production is not required. The course runs on Tuesday evenings
20th April - 2nd July. You can read my Spotlight on Transmission Roundhouse’s Podcast Academy here.
The deadline is 8th April, 12 pm GMT.
CHASE Network’s Student Podcast Challenge - an opportunity for underrepresented U.K. based students from across CHASE (Consortium for the Humanities and the Arts South-east England) research universities to create a podcast and compete for a chance to win a scholarship, receive mentoring, and other benefits. Applicants should be Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) students or current undergraduate students matriculating into a PGR programme at a CHASE university in 2024. Eligible universities are the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex, the Open University, The Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London, Birkbeck, University of London and SOAS, University of London. Podcasts can be any format or genre. Students must have a plan to create at least five podcast episodes. The first-place winner receives a £600 grand-prize scholarship, with three runners-up receiving £200 per project. Winners also receive access to the UEA Media Suite recording studio, consultation on podcast development, promotion of the podcast online and in press, and two years’ free subscription to ART19.
The extended deadline is 12th April (the website isn’t currently updated, but I have had confirmation).
Koestler Awards - a free-to-enter competition celebrating art made by people incarcerated in U.K. prisons. They also run an arts mentoring scheme for entrants who want to develop their work further. They accept audio entries in several categories, including Radio Play, Spoken Word, Performance, Radio and Podcast Production and Music Composition. Prize money ranges in increments from £25 - £100.
The deadline is 12th April.
BOLD MUD: Open Call - Bold Mellon Collective x Mud Summons Records are looking for West/North-West London based, early-career queer creatives working at the intersection of performance art and live electronic music. They want to hear from: musicians, DJs, sound/noise makers, performance and spoken word artists who use original sound and/or soundscapes. They are offering an opportunity to perform at our next BOLD MUD event at the Bush Theatre’s Script Library on 31st May as a part of the ALT B programme. Performance/live music slots are 10-20 minutes. All profits from the event will be split equally between the artists involved.
The deadline is 14th April.
New Public Art Commission for Dunfermline Learning Campus - an opportunity for a Scotland-based artist to develop and deliver a public art project and commission for the new Dunfermline Learning Campus in Fife. The commission is suited to an artist with experience of creating permanent public art projects informed by community engaged creative programmes. They accept sound work samples. The total artist fee for the project is £20,000.
The deadline is 15th April, 5 pm BST.
30 to Watch: Journalism - free-to-enter award celebrating the 30 most talented and influential young journalists under 30 across the U.K. Gold winners are selected for each category, ranging from news to culture, entertainment and lifestyle. They have a Production category for journalists working on the biggest stories via broadcast media, including TV, radio, podcasts and more. The rest of the categories don’t specify a medium. If you didn’t attend university and share that with the awards you will automatically be entered into their Breakthrough Award category. Applicants can nominate themselves or others.
The deadline is 19th April.
Kent Press & Broadcast Awards - a free-to-enter competition celebrating and rewarding Kent’s local media across print, online, radio or TV. Many of their categories include radio and podcasts.
The deadline is 19th April, 5 pm BST.
The Leverhulme Trust Aural Diversity Doctoral Research Hub - interdisciplinary Ph.D and Masters training in the study of hearing and listening differences, for U.K. based applicants. The Leverhulme Doctoral Centre for Aural Diversity (LAURA) seeks to disrupt and transform thinking across disciplines by fundamentally reconceptualising hearing to include the whole spectrum of aural experience, beyond the assumed “normal” listener for whom the world’s sounds are designed. LAURA brings together supervisors from almost every discipline involved with sound, including acoustics, anthropology, art, architecture, computer science, education, engineering, English literature, music, occupational science, psychology, sociology and speech. It is a joint venture between the University of Salford and Goldsmiths, University of London. Applicants can study for a Ph.D, M.Phil, or Masters + Ph.D. Full funding is available for a limited number of talented students, and they offer several fully-funded 4-year Ph.D scholarships. LAURA scholars will each receive free tuition, a stipend of £18,622 per year (£2000 more for London-based students), and will each have access to up to £10,000 for research and professional development costs. Applicants should have a minimum of a First-class undergraduate degree or a 2:1 Masters in a relevant area. There is additional support available during the application process — such as a mentor who will offer feedback on application drafts — for: BAME peoples; people with disabilities, first-generation students, mature students and care-experienced or estranged students.
The deadline is 21st April.
British Podcast Awards - awards for podcasts that have been either produced in Great Britain and Northern Ireland or designed for U.K. audiences. They have 26 categories, including a Rising Star Award, for people with under two year’s experience in the podcasting industry. The entry fee is £205+VAT or £50+VAT for independents/freelance producers, charity podcasters or companies with less than 10 full-time employees. NOTE: Entries after 23rd April will incur an additional fee of £100.
The early bird deadline is 23rd April.
The Swiss Church in London Artist Residency - a 3-month artist residency from August to November for U.K. based artists/arts organisations from all artistic disciplines. Selected residents will have access to mentoring sessions and a studio space in the Church in Covent Garden, which they must work at for a minimum of two days per week. The residency is “open to everyone of all backgrounds, faiths, genders and sexualities.” They are specifically looking for a socially inclusive project which relates to one or more aspects of the Church, such as community, faith, migration, social and political issues or even the unique architecture of the building. They provide a stipend of £1500. There is no expectation to produce a final piece of work but if desired successful applicants can put on an exhibition in the Church. There are a few conditions of residency, such as monthly meetings, an informal talk, a takeover of the Church’s social media and an open studio session.
The deadline is 23rd April, midnight BST.
In The Making Programme - a 12-month artist development programme for 50 young people in the U.K. aged 14 to 18 who are interested in working in music and sound. They offer a week-long residency, online skills sessions, creative composing tasks and networking opportunities. The course costs £500 but they have a bursary scheme.
The deadline is 30th April, 11:59 pm BST.
The Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF) - The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is the most recognised training scheme for journalists in the U.K. The organisation offers bursaries to people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their NCTJ training. You can only apply once you have applied for an NCTJ-accredited course. Applicants cannot be in receipt of any other bursary award.
The next deadline is 1st May, 5 pm GMT.
Asia
Combating Misinformation in the Digital Media Era - a 6-month training programme for 30 mid- to senior-level Pakistani journalists from relatively new print, broadcast, and digital media outlets to counter misinformation and disinformation in media reporting. The programme involves 3-day quarterly workshops with U.S. subject matter experts. Applicants must be: not-for-profit organisations, civil society organisations, or public and private educational institutions. For-profit entities are ineligible, even if they fall into the categories listed above. Participating media outlets receive $35,000 - $50,000. The project will take place in-person in Lahore.
The deadline is 8th April.
EJN Seed Grants - Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering five grants of €4500 to media outlets in Nepal to support new solutions-oriented media programming on natural resource management and green growth. Over the grant period, selected media outlets will design and pilot a new programme, producing at least two stories or episodes as proof of concept. They are particularly keen to support media products that amplify the voices and perspectives of marginalised and minority communities, create space for constructive dialogues and better inform communities, which in turn intensifies public pressure on policymakers to act. Selected media organisations will receive additional assistance from a senior journalist and/or a subject-matter expert to strengthen their capacity during the grant period. Eligible media outlets include newspapers, online media, radio, television, multimedia platforms, and social media channels. Applications are accepted in English and Nepali. Applicants may produce stories in any language.
The deadline is 10th April.
International Trade Training for Asia-based Journalists - a 4-day expenses-paid fellowship in Singapore on global trade issues, allowing Asia-based journalists to enhance skills, increase knowledge and recharge their reporting on one of today’s most critical beats. They cover a wide variety of aspects of sustainable global trade, including China’s influence on the region and the world, sustainable investment, what the U.S. presidential election will mean for trade, economic data analyses, environmental and social impact, supply chain issues and emerging trends. The foundation will cover airfare, hotel costs and most meals. Journalists may be working in print, television, radio or digital media. The fellowship takes place from 23rd - 26th June.
The deadline is 14th April.
Asia Journalism Fellowship - 8-week intensive workshops which focus on enhancing professional capabilities for journalists across Asia. The first four weeks will be conducted online and the following four weeks in Singapore. Fellows will be provided with: internet stipend (S$300); airfare; local airport transfer (S$30), a S$900 stipend, and free accommodation. Applicants must: have at least five years of professional journalism experience and be proficient in English. Applicants can work in any medium — newspapers, magazines, television, radio or digital. The fellowship runs from 8th July - 30th August.
The deadline is 16th April.
Breaking Down Barriers to Health Services in South-East Asia - a five-day in-person course for young journalists aged 30 or younger based in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, organised by theThomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) and the Global Fund. They provide small grants (unspecified), one-to-one mentorship, and legal support through the Legal Network for Journalists at Risk (LNJAR) platform. Participants are encouraged to come with a story idea that they can develop as the course proceeds. Following the course, participants will have an opportunity to pitch the story idea to be selected for TRF’s mentoring scheme. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience, whether working as a journalist for a media organisation, creating content for a social media platform, or another form of journalistic activity. The course will take place from 10th - 14th June. It will be run in English so proficiency is required.
The deadline is 28th April.
Africa
Uganda National Journalism Awards - free-to-enter awards celebrating outstanding journalistic contributions within the Ugandan media landscape. All journalists working within Uganda are eligible, whether freelance or full time, but work must have been published or broadcast in a Ugandan media outlet or a regional news outlet that is widely accessible in the country. They have a Digital Innovation Award which includes audio submissions, and their Opinion and Editorial Commentary section allows for podcasts.
The deadline is 30th April, midnight EAT.
Prevent Epidemics Naija Journalism Awards - free-to-enter awards for journalists from notable Nigerian newsrooms and media organisations who played a crucial role in spreading awareness of Nigeria’s response to the pandemic, and other infectious disease outbreaks. This year’s award seeks to celebrate outstanding journalists who have continued to play a key role in advocating for epidemic preparedness in Nigeria and encourage increased reportage of epidemic preparedness and response (EPR) stories in the Nigerian media space. They have a radio category for pieces five minutes or longer.
The deadline is 23rd May.
The Fulbright Egyptian Student Program - a fully funded master’s degree for Egyptian students to study in any field at a U.S. college or university. For a maximum of two years they fund the course as well as a stipend, travel allowance, health insurance and more. Preference will be given to applicants without prior significant experience in the U.S. and/or overseas, and U.S. citizens and green card holders and applicants are not eligible to apply. See the eligibility requirements here, which include grades and English language proficiency.
The deadline is 30th May.
African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA) - awards honouring Africa’s talent in the world of podcasting, spoken word, poetry and voice-acting. The awards are determined by nominations. This year’s theme is “King of the Game,” celebrating the spirit that drives African audio creatives. They have dozens of categories and several special awards including Rising Talent of the Year Awards and Best Diasporan Podcast, Voice Over Artist and Spoken Word Artist of the Year. NOTE: “being an APVA member sprinkles a little magic on your nomination.” Membership to the APVA is free. The virtual awards ceremony will be held on the 27th - 28th of September.
The deadline is 1st June.
Oceania
The Walkley Awards Mid-Year Celebration of Journalism - a series of awards celebrating great Australian journalism. They have The Young Journalist of the Year for journalists aged 28 and younger, employed full-time or freelance, Coverage of Science and the Environment, The June Andrews Award for Freelance Journalist of the Year, The June Andrews Award for Women's Leadership in Media, Arts Journalism Prizes, The June Andrews Award for Industrial Relations Reporting, Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women, Humanitarian Storytelling Award, The Media Diversity Australia Award. The winner of the June Andrews Award for Arts Journalism and the winner of the Pascall Prize for Cultural Criticism will receive AU$5000 in prize money. Applications are free for members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) or AU$50 for non-members.
The deadline is 15th April.
The Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism - two $10,000 grants for Australian journalists to produce significant content in any medium profiling issues in the Pacific region. The judges are looking for original journalism with public interest value and impact, which gives voice to Pacific island perspectives on an underreported issue or development of importance to Australia and the region. Applicants will be offered access to a mentor to support their project development. The grant is open to journalists from all sectors, backgrounds and experience levels, and to both freelancers and reporters employed by media organisations. Applicants must be an Australian citizen or have working rights in Australia.
The deadline is 15th April.
IJA / AAJA Pacific Islander Scholarship - two $5000 scholarships organised by The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and the Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA) to help Indigenous peoples of the Pacific — particularly Polynesians, Micronesians and Melanesians — pursue careers in journalism, especially in the U.S. and U.S. affiliated Pacific islands. The scholarships can be used to offset the cost of internships, tuition, student loans or journalism training.
The deadline is 31st May.
Crawford Fund Journalism Awards - a grant for an Australian journalist to experience first-hand agricultural projects in a developing country that are changing lives for the better. Successful applicants will interact with passionate researchers and local farmers, and share their stories with the Australian public. The awardee will submit a piece of completed work that is then published or broadcast. Entries from freelance journalists should indicate an intention to seek publication of further work produced from the visit. The prize will include economy class travel, travel/medical insurance, visa costs, accommodation and other general expenses.
The deadline is 31st May.
Latin America + the Caribbean
Conexão Oceano de Comunicação Ambiental - a call out for Brazilian journalists to pitch story ideas which address the links between ocean preservation and aquatic sports or sports activities directly influenced by coastal areas. Applicants must have at least two years of experience. Journalists can submit up to two story ideas to be published or broadcast in print, online, radio and TV. Successful proposals will be given a BRL 10,000 grant to fund the reporting. See terms and conditions here (in Portuguese).
The deadline is 14th April.
Accelerate Fund for Independent Media and Content Creators - The U.S. Embassy Havana invites proposals for Public Diplomacy (PD) programmes that advance U.S. foreign policy goals in Cuba with a particular focus on advocating respect for human rights, encouraging safe and legal travel and migration, and building the cultural, educational, and private sectors to provide meaningful opportunities in Cuba. They provide $1000 - $10,000 funding for Cuban independent content creators and journalists. Programmes must include an American cultural element or a connection with American experts, organisations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. The proposed programmes should promote communication, engagement, and/or dialogue between the U.S. and Cuba’s private sector and/or civil society. One of their priority areas is promoting new media, such as podcasting.
The deadline is 30th April, 5 pm Cuba Time.
Camp Serrapilheira: Podcasts - a 7-week podcast production training for black and brown people in Brazil with proposals for science podcasts. Podcasts can relate to life sciences, geosciences, physics, chemistry, computer science or mathematics. Those selected will receive up to BRL 55,000 to carry out their projects. Podcast proposals can take a wide range of formats, but scripted projects will be prioritised over proposals for improvised conversations. Teams will participate in a hybrid training programme and receive financial support for the production of a season. There will be two online 2-hour classes per week, held in the evenings. The in-person stage includes a 4-day immersive course, in a city yet to be decided; costs will be covered by Serrapilheira. Proposals must be in Portuguese. Training and follow-up sessions will also be carried out in Portuguese. NOTE: to confirm the self-declaration of race, phenotypic aspects such as “skin colour, ” “predominant facial aspects” and “hair type” are considered (translated from Portuguese).
The deadline is 14th May.
Javier Valdez Latin American Investigative Journalism Award - an award celebrating work published or broadcast in a media outlet in Latin America and the Caribbean that promotes greater transparency of governments, companies and the media. The award is open to all research topics on matters of public interest. Work can be in Spanish, Portuguese or English. They accept works published or broadcast in print, radio, television or electronic media.
The deadline is 2nd June.
Canada
Canadaland’s “Local Correspondent” Audio Contest - a competition challenging journalists, audio-makers, podcasters, artists, and storytellers from across Canada to produce a 3-minute audio story from their community. They are looking for pieces with characters, local flavour, intentional structure, and a satisfying arc — no op-eds, criticism, or general chatter. The pieces must be “rooted in place” and involve at least two of the following elements: a reference to local folklore or an urban myth; tape from a local mainstay; the voice of someone you don’t yet know; the sound of water. All submissions that meet the guidelines will be featured on Canadaland’s website and around 15 winning submissions will be published to all major podcast platforms and receive a national audience. Winning submissions will be presented publicly and receive a $500 licence fee in exchange for non-exclusive broadcast rights. Submissions will be accepted in all languages, but non-English submissions must include an English transcript.
The deadline is 30th April, 11:59 pm ET.
Calgary Arts Grant Investment Programs - one-time project funding to individual artists and artist collectives in Calgary/Mohkinsstsis working in any artistic discipline who pursue a professional practice. Projects can include research, creation, development, production, presentation or dissemination of artistic work, or the experimentation or development of new or adapted approaches to practice. Individual artists may apply for up to $20,000 and artist collectives may apply for up to $25,000. They will also accept applications from Treaty 7 nation members living within Treaty 7 (Southern Alberta) if they can demonstrate a clear connection to Calgary/Mohkinsstsis communities.
The deadline is 1st May, 4:30 pm MT.
That’s it for this month! Thanks for subscribing.
If you have any upcoming resources you can submit them via this form or via email to allhear [at] transom [dot] org. The next newsletter comes out on Thursday 2nd May, so for any upcoming opportunities please reach out before Friday 26th April.
If you want to support this work you can buy me a coffee or donate to Transom.
All Hear is edited by Jennifer Jerrett and Sydney Lewis. I am immensely grateful for their eagle eyes and big hearts.
Copyright © Talia Augustidis, all rights reserved.
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