All Hear December 2023
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Hello! Welcome back to All Hear,
The Everything List for Audio Opportunities.
Hello! Welcome (back) to All Hear, the Everything List for Audio Opportunities.
This is the longest edition of All Hear ever — 90+ opportunities! The very first edition came out in January of this year with 30 opportunities, and I’m very pleased that it’s grown. It’s particularly great to see so many journalism fellowships and project grants that specifically mention audio, radio and podcasts as accepted media. There are also a lot of free-to-enter prizes which actually pay their winners, more of that please!
Stand out opportunities this month include the AIR Media AMPLIFY Podcast Accelerator for independent podcasters, Sonic Dash’s 48-hour audio competition, the Rowhome Fellowship for entry-level Philadelphia-based audio makers and The NIHCM Foundation Television and Audio Journalism Award which offers a $20,000 prize for reporting on health care issues and policy. In fact, it’s a great month to be an audio journalist with a healthcare beat as there are four paid health-related opportunities.
Lastly, All Hear is free and always will be, but finding, researching and editing these opportunities takes a lot of time for Transom and me. And as I find more and more resources each month, it adds up. I’d like to continue to make this list as comprehensive as possible without sacrificing on quality, so if you would like to support this work you can buy me a coffee or donate to Transom.
We’re taking some time off for the holidays so All Hear will be back on the 11th January. I hope everyone has a lovely break!
Talia x
December Spotlight
This month I’m Spotlighting the NPR College Podcast Challenge. I spoke with Janet Woojeong Lee, the assistant producer on NPR’s education desk, to get some tips on applying. Even though the competition is just for U.S. based college students, I feel that a lot of the advice is generally applicable to anyone applying to audio competitions.
Read December’s Spotlight Here »
More Opportunities:
International
The Awesome Foundation Grants - monthly no-strings-attached $1000 project grants for international artists. The following grants are open to artists from anywhere in the world: Awesome Without Borders; Disability; Homelessness; On the Water; Pawesome; and Vegan. The rest of their grants are distributed among chapters, which are available in specific cities and states in the following countries: Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.
The deadline is rolling.
The Artist Protection Fund - unspecified fellowship grants for threatened artists from any country and field of practice. It places the endangered artists at host institutions in safe countries for a year where they can continue their work and plan for their futures. Eligible applicants either face or have recently fled from immediate, severe, and targeted threats to their lives and/or careers in their home countries or countries of residence. Applications are reviewed for artistic merit, the quality or potential of the applicant’s work, and the severity of the threats that the applicant faces. Sound artists fall under the “Interdisciplinary Artists” category. Applicants must be over the age of 21.
The deadline is rolling.
The Shorty Awards - international awards to honour social media. They have a Podcast section with eleven categories. The entry fees are $449 for early bird deadlines, $549 for regular and $699 for late.
The early deadline is 7th December, 11:59 pm EDT.
The regular deadline is 8th February, 11:59 pm EDT.
The late deadline is 22nd February, 11:59 pm EDT.
AIR Media AMPLIFY Podcast Accelerator - an 8-week marketing accelerator for 16 independent podcasters who have an existing podcast and are ready to take it to the next level. The programme will equip independent audio makers with marketing and development skills to help their shows break through the noise. An applicant must: be an independent podcaster without the support of mainstream resources; have an active podcast that has a minimum of three completed episodes released in the past year; and identify as historically marginalised (BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, etc.). Successful applicants receive a $1000 stipend, mentorship and opportunities to connect with the audio community. International applicants are welcome but NOTE: the programme runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 5:30 pm ET, so certain time zones may be unworkable. If you missed the live information session, you can watch the recording here.
The deadline is 8th December, 11:59 pm ET, or when they receive 300 applications.
The Peabody Awards - one of the most prestigious awards in journalism. International submissions are welcome for the Radio/Podcast category, but the audio must be in English. They also have a specific Arts category for media on the presentation, appreciation, or history of the arts, including but not limited to podcasts. Entry costs $450 for any audio submissions.
The deadline is 12th December.
The Gracies - awards for or about women in television, radio and digital media. They have select categories for non-English programmes and creators, with English transcripts required. Entry costs between $205 and $315 depending on the deadline and whether applicants are national or local. There are scholarships available which waive the application fee, but you must apply before 5th January. They also have student awards in both the Radio and Digital Media sections, which cost $75, or $50 before the early deadline.
The early bird deadline for entries is 14th December, 11:59 pm ET.
The regular deadline is 18th January, 11:59 pm ET.
AVA Digital Awards - international awards for digital media. They have Audio Production/Radio categories. Entries for a single podcast episode cost $120, or $195 for campaigns. Entry is free for work produced pro bono for nonprofits, although you must have submitted a regular entry as well.
The deadline is 14th December.
The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Artist-in-Residence Fellowship for Independent Researchers - a 1-month fellowship for international writers, journalists, filmmakers, visual and performing artists and other humanists working outside of traditional academic settings who would benefit from using the Newberry Library’s collections to further their creative work. Preference is given to those engaged in projects centred around social justice or reform. Successful applicants receive a $3000 stipend. The Newberry sponsors international scholars under the J-1 visa.
The deadline is 15th December.
The Webbys - international awards for “excellence on the internet.” Entries must be in English or dubbed. Prices range from $195 to $675 depending on the deadline and the type of work. Student work can be entered in all categories for $70 for all deadlines. Non-English podcasts must be dubbed or subtitled into English with videos.
The final deadline is 15th December.
BEA Festival of Media Arts - The Broadcast Education Association's international digital media and broadcast competition for full-time faculty and students at BEA schools. There is an audio competition with various categories for students and faculty respectively. It costs $40 to apply. Works can be in any language but if they’re not in English you must provide subtitles.
The deadline is 15th December.
New Adventures in Sound Art Call Out - the community radio station CITR 101.9 FM in Vancouver is seeking existing pieces for their 24 hours of Radio Art on 17th January. They are looking for ambient, drone, field recordings, collage, plunderphonics, noise, robocalls, voicemail fails, sound art and more. Pieces should range from 2 to 15 minutes, although they are open to the occasional longer piece as well. Submissions should be either uploaded to Dropbox or sent via WeTransfer or equivalent. Send links to radioart [at] citr [dot] ca. Include the title of your composition, a brief biography (100 words maximum), and web links with your name and contact details. It is unpaid.
The deadline is 17th December.
Kim Wall Memorial Fund - $5000 grants for international women and non-binary journalists exploring subcultures and “the undercurrents of rebellion,” in honour of the Swedish journalist Kim Wall. Eligible applicants, whether affiliated or freelance, must: have one or more years of professional experience in news media; have proficiency in written and verbal English; and be able to show proof of interest from an editor or have a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets. Reporting may be published in any language. The grants are intended to cover various reporting-related costs including travel, logistics, insurance, visa fees, professional stipends, and payments for producers and translators. The International Women’s Media Foundation does not cover equipment purchase or rental costs and cannot support academic research or research for academic publication.
The deadline is 17th December, 11:59 pm ET.
Sound Scene - an honorarium of between $200 and $2000 for an art piece involving interactive installations, live performances or small group workshops. They accept international applicants. Their roots are in sound art, but they also accept multimedia pieces; generally they want pitches that are “outside the box.” This year’s theme is “Solstice.”
The deadline is 22nd December, 11:59 pm ET.
Sonic Dash - a 48-hour competition to create a 2-minute audio piece entirely from scratch. The contest starts on 5th January at noon ET and ends at the same time on 7th January. The first prize winner will receive $500, a certificate for $350 worth of audio services from Silver Sound, and be featured on The Silver Podcast Network. Every element of the piece must be made within those 48 hours, which means that the use of archival material and pre-existing music is not allowed. Entries cost $25.
The registration deadline is 31st December, midnight ET.
International Federation of Journalists’ Safety Fund - immediate relief for international journalists in danger. The fund covers those facing violence, persecution and threat, or needing medical treatment. There is no specified limit.
The deadline is 31st December.
FASPE Journalism Program - an intensive, 2-week study programme for international students and early-career journalists interested in professional ethics and ethical leadership, conducted by Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). Fellows spend two weeks in Berlin and Poland, where they visit key sites of Nazi history and participate in daily seminars led by specialised faculty. The programme is designed to challenge fellows to critically examine constructs, and issues that raise ethical concerns in their professions in contemporary settings in which they work. This year’s programme will take place from 21st June - 5th July 2024.
The deadline is 2nd January, 11:59 pm ET.
Spooked Freelance Story Scout Job - Snap Judgment is looking for story scouts for their spin-off podcast, Spooked. Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. They would like to diversify their existing pool of Spooked stories, so they are looking for story scouts from Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Oceania, Europe, Canada, Indigenous Communities, Asia (East Asia and South Asia), Mexico and/or other Spanish-speaking countries. There are no minimum hours set for the position, but the story scout is in charge of finding and pitching three to four original stories a month. Story scouts will receive a monthly retainer of $1500 as well as $300 bonuses for each successful pitch. In addition, depending on experience, interest, and availability, story scouts may also have the chance to produce individual Spooked stories, for which they will be paid $140/minute. The contract is six months and is expected to start in late February.
The deadline is 7th January, 11:59 pm PST.
The George Polk Awards - awards for the groundbreaking, impactful work of reporters across all media and means of communication. Judges particularly value investigative work that is original, requires resourcefulness, and brings results. International journalists from international organisations are welcome but all entries must be in English and have appeared in the U.S. There is a monetary award (unspecified). The application fee costs $75.
The deadline is 9th January.
Derek Ingram Press Fellowship - a 3-month residential programme at Wolfson College, Cambridge, for mid-career journalists from Commonwealth countries to research a project of their choosing under light academic supervision. Applicants can come from any medium, but the project needs to be relevant to one or more of the broad themes: the changing role of media in a networked world; improving the reporting of business, the environment, sustainable developmental medicine, bioscience and technology; and the role of free media in democratic governance. The fellowship takes place during Easter Term (April to June). The fellowship covers the fees, living, travel, visa and project-related expenses of the fellow from the moment they arrive until they depart. The fellow is provided with a room in the college, as well as full dining rights.
The deadline is 10th January.
Tribeca Audio - Tribeca Festival’s Audio Storytelling programme. Tribeca is looking for narrative-driven audio storytelling across genres and formats — pilots, stand-alone pieces, sound-rich audiobooks, and unclassifiable audio are all welcome as long as they’re story-driven. Official Selections are sorted into four categories: Independent Fiction, Independent Nonfiction, Fiction, and Nonfiction. International applicants are welcome, but they currently only accept English-language pieces. Projects must be 6 - 75 minutes in length and works-in-progress are welcome. NOTE: submissions must not have been made publicly prior to the Festival (i.e. they will premiere at Tribeca). Entries cost $20 early bird, $30 regular and $40 for the final deadline. Reach out to audiopremieres [at] tribecafilm [dot] com or @TribecaAudio if you have any questions. You can read my Spotlight of Tribeca Audio Storytelling here.
The regular deadline is 10th January, 6 pm ET.
The final deadline is 21st February, 6 pm ET.
The RFK Award for Excellence in Journalism - international awards to celebrate media professionals and students whose work explores issues of human rights, social justice, and the power of individual action. Audio specific and medium agnostic categories include: Radio; Nontraditional Media; and Criminal Justice. Their free-to-enter student awards also accept all media. The professional category winners will receive $1000 and the student categories will receive $500.
The deadline is 12th January.
Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program - an opportunity for ten international journalists from around the world who specialise in science, health, technology and environmental reporting. Applicants must: be full-time journalists, whether staff or freelance, and have at least three consecutive years of experience covering the relevant beats. Successful applicants are expected to produce a well-thought-out research project during the academic year. Fellows will reside full time in the Boston or Cambridge area for the MIT academic year, which runs from mid-August to May. Radio and audio journalists are eligible.
The deadline is 15th January, 11:59 pm ET.
Newmark J-School Waives M.A. Programs Application Fees - The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at The City University of New York (CUNY) is waiving the $75 application fee for prospective students who apply to its M.A. programmes before the priority deadline. This new step is consistent with the J-School’s commitment to removing barriers to journalism education access. Ninety percent of their current students receive scholarship support, and twenty-five percent of them attend tuition-free.
The priority deadline is 16th January.
NYU Global Journalist Fellowship - partial funding for non-U.S. citizens to attend one of the graduate programmes at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Applicants must select one of their ten concentrations as a course of study, which includes Podcasting and Audio Reportage. The fellowship covers tuition expenses and registration fees for two of the three or four semesters. The fellow will also receive a stipend of approximately $16,000 for each of the two semesters of the fellowship. Entrants must: hold a non-U.S. passport; be fluent in English and at least one additional language; have significant journalism experience working for a news organisation or independently in any medium; and possess a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree plus one year of graduate work. Applicants must simultaneously complete an application for the fellowship and an application to the M.A. programme.
The deadline is 15th January.
Solutions Journalism Network Awards - free-to-enter awards which acknowledge, amplify, and celebrate outstanding solutions journalism — an effort to emphasise rigorous and compelling reporting on responses to social problems. The competition is open to journalists working in newsrooms of any size or independently and across all platforms such as digital, broadcast, print, podcasts and radio. The categories relevant to audio include: General Excellence ($1000), The Best in Audio ($500), and The Best of Student ($250). Only English-language entries are accepted.
The deadline is 16th January.
U.K. International Radio Drama Festival - free-to-enter awards for international audio. Despite the name, work submitted does not have to be a radio drama; the curators are flexible on what constitutes an audio drama — it can be “anything from a radio play to a podcast,” and it “doesn’t need to be fiction.” They have two categories: Feature Length Drama (maximum 60 minutes) or Short Form Drama (maximum 7 minutes). You can submit up to two longform pieces and three short form. Audio Dramas from any country and in any language can be submitted. Full Length winners receive £2000, and Short Length receive £750. There is also a £750 Public Award prize for favourite show voted by the listeners (in person and online). The 2024 Festival takes place in Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge from 25th - 29th March.
The deadline is 19th January.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Award - an award honouring the best in student journalism for anyone enrolled in a college or university in 2023 while studying for an academic degree. International applicants are welcome. The audio-specific categories are Best Podcast and Best All-Around Radio Newscast. Works must be published or broadcast (i.e. they cannot be unpublished projects for class). Students who have had full time professional journalism experience (outside of internships) at the time of publication or broadcast of the entered work are ineligible. Non-English entries should include an English translation. The awards cost $30 for SPJ members and $40 for non-members.
The deadline is 22nd January, 11:59 pm ET.
Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism - awards honouring the best international health reporting in print, broadcast, and online media. First-place winners receive $500 and a framed certificate, as well as complimentary lodging for two nights and registration for the Association of Health Care Journalism’s annual conference, where winners will be recognised. They have an Audio Reporting category, as well as others that allow for audio submission. They also have a Student Reporting category. Non-English entries are allowed but they must include an English translation and a letter from the news outlet certifying the translation’s accuracy. Entries cost between $15 and $75 depending on various factors.
The early deadline is 24th January, 1 pm ET.
The regular deadline is 1st March, 5 pm ET.
Logan Science Journalism Program - a chance for international science journalists to forget about story deadlines and immerse themselves in basic biomedical or environmental research for ten days. Applicants must have at least three years’ experience. Fellows conduct research training at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where they can choose between biomedical or environmental hands-on research courses. Room, board, course fees, and travel costs are covered, as well as visa fees for foreign nationals. Writers, editors, and broadcast journalists are welcome to apply.
The deadline is 25th January.
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 January.
Columbia’s Knight-Bagehot Fellowship - a 9-month fellowship for reporters to study business and economics at Columbia Business School and Columbia Journalism School. They accept international applicants and always have a couple of audio journalists in their ten-person cohort. The fellowship includes free tuition (a $72,000 value), health care, subsidised student housing and a $60,000 stipend. Fellows take business courses for credit and some stay for a second year to complete their M.B.A degree or an M.A. in Journalism. They meet weekly as a fellowship for seminars and dinners with business leaders and professors. Applicants must have four years’ reporting experience on a beat that involves money, which can include finance, real estate, government policy or even health, climate and science.
The deadline is 31st January.
TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting: Uncovering Commercial Bribery - an international award recognising journalism that uncovers business-related bribery and financial crime. Nominees may be print, broadcast or online reporters. There will be two winners, who will each receive a cash prize of $10,000, and up to two honourable mentions, who will receive $1000.
The deadline is 31st January.
The New York Festivals Radio Awards - international awards for radio. They have various categories, including audiobooks, documentaries and podcasts. They have Student awards too: Documentary, Drama Programmes and Social Justice Content. Applications cost $320 for a single programme and $450 for a series. Their student awards are $75 for a single programme and $150 for a series.
The deadline is 31st January.
The Ferriss – UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship - ten $10,000 reporting grants for journalists reporting in-depth print and audio stories on the science, policy, business and culture of psychedelics. Students are eligible as long as they have three work samples. International applicants are welcome to apply but they cannot assist with visas and stories must be in English.
The deadline is 31st January, 11:59 pm PT.
Open Society Foundations Soros Justice Fellowships - 12- and 18-month fellowships for international lawyers, advocates, grassroots organisers, writers, journalists (both print and broadcast) and artists to engage in projects that drive reform, stimulate debate, and initiate change across various issues within the U.S. criminal legal system. Fellows are empowered to undertake full-time projects that inform, engage, and catalyse change at local, state, and national levels. Fellowships consist of two tracks: Track I, for individuals in the early stages of their careers, which offers a $100,000 grant over 18 months; and Track II, for more experienced individuals, which provides a $140,000 grant over 18 months (both are prorated for 12-month projects).
The deadline is 31st January, 11:59 pm ET.
Wave Farm Residency - a 10-day residency for international sound artists. It takes place in the Catskill Mountain Park in upstate New York. Each resident will receive a $1000 artist fee, but they are expected to pay for their own travel expenses, as well as expenses related to meals during their stay. In 2024 the programme will emphasise “Live Performance for an Expanded Studio Audience.” Each residency will conclude with a public event at Wave Farm, which will be broadcast live on Wave Farm Radio. This year, they are partnering with the University of Colorado, Boulder, which will invite an artist from the Wave Farm Residency cohort to split their residency between Wave Farm and CU Boulder. One resident will win The Rising Tide Award — a $1500 prize to support an applicant with “a multidimensional life and background.”
The deadline is 1st February.
Wallace House Livingston Awards - a free-to-enter award to recognise the best journalists under 35. There is a $10,000 prize in three categories: local, national and international reporting. They accept international applicants but the work must appear in U.S.-controlled media. Print, online, video, audio and data visualisation work are eligible. Entrants must be 34 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2023.
The deadline is 1st February, 11:59 pm PT.
Leipziger Hörspielsommer Short Audio Play Competition - a free-to-enter competition for short audio pieces under 3 minutes. The theme is completely open. Pieces in German, English, Russian or French are accepted.
The deadline is 1st February.
The Sigma Delta Chi Awards - awards that recognise the best in international professional journalism across print, online, audio, television and more. Apart from Spanish-language categories, non-English entries must include an English transcript or subtitles. Entries cost $65 for SPJ members and $100 for non-members.
The deadline is 5th February, 11:59 pm ET.
The Whickers Podcast Pitch - an international funding opportunity for narrative podcast series and one-off audio documentaries. Applicants submit up to four minutes of original taster audio for consideration. Five finalists attend the Sheffield Documentary Festival in June 2024 and conduct a live pitch. The winner receives £5000 plus mentorship, and one runner up receives £2000. All finalists receive tickets to the festival, one night’s accommodation, and a contribution of up to £400 per project towards their travel expenses. The programme must be in English. Applications open on 6th November.
The deadline is 25th February, 11:59 pm GMT.
United States
Max’s Emergency Relief & Resource Fund - one-off grants of between $500 and $1000 to assist self-employed artists based in New York State who have a steady work history but are experiencing a temporary financial setback. The fund exclusively covers housing, medical and legal aid. Grants go directly to a creditor or third party. NOTE: Grant recipients might be asked to provide a written testimonial for promotional use.
The deadline is rolling.
JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship - a 7-month opportunity for eight early-career U.S. based journalists who identify as women who would like to improve their health care reporting skills, led by the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS). Applicants must have between two and seven years’ professional reporting experience. Fellows will work on a substantive reporting project as well as one shorter-form story, assisted by a reporting grant of $4000 and mentoring by an experienced health journalist for the duration of the projects and beyond. Both staff and freelance journalists are encouraged to apply, but freelancers should obtain tentative approval from editors. Audio and podcast projects are accepted. The fellowship will run from January to July.
The deadline is 8th December, 5 pm ET.
Rowhome Fellowship - a 6-month fellowship for new producers in the Philadelphia area looking to launch their audio storytelling and podcast production careers. Successful applicants will assist Rowhome Productions, which includes researching and booking guests, conducting interviews, writing for the ear, basic audio editing, sound design, project management, social media and more. Some background in audio editing, media production, journalism, and/or creative writing is encouraged, but any experience is welcome. The fellow will be expected to commit up to 15 hours per week to the programme, for which they receive a stipend of $1000 per month. The fellowship will start in early 2024.
The deadline is 8th December, 11:59 pm ET.
California Health Equity Fellowship - a fully-funded fellowship supporting U.S. based reporters pursuing ambitious projects on overlooked health and health equity issues in California. Applicants must have a minimum of three years of professional journalism experience. The fellowship includes a week of in-person training followed by five months of ongoing mentorship and virtual meetings. Fellows receive a $2000 - $10,000 grant to help with reporting costs. Freelancers are welcome to apply, but they must have a confirmed assignment with an outlet to be considered for acceptance. The fellowship is open to journalists from print, broadcast, and online media outlets throughout California, or national correspondents with a California-focused project.
The deadline is 10th December.
The Creative Renewal Fellowships - a $15,000 grant for artists in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, with over ten years of experience in their disciplines to engage in a structured period of rest and creative exploration. Fellows can be from any artistic discipline, and are not required to produce a final project. The funds can be used for research, instruction, conferences, apprenticeships, travel, and other experiences that help the recipient in their creative journey. Applicants must have been a Mecklenburg County resident for at least three years before applying.
The deadline is 11th December, 12 pm ET.
Emerging Creator Fellowship - $10,000 grants for early-career vocational creatives in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, who are creating new and original work across all disciplines. The fellowship supports creatives who are at a pivotal moment in launching sustainable creative careers. Applicants should have between two and ten years of experience pursuing their creative practice as their primary occupation outside a degree-seeking programme. Applicant age or training is not a consideration of the panel.
The deadline is 11th December, 12 pm ET.
Grants for Creative Individuals - $5000 grants for artists, culture bearers and creatives in Massachusetts who are aiming to advance creative expression across diverse communities.
The deadline is 11th December, 11:59 pm ET.
Beyond Placemaking Professional Artist Grant - $10,000 grants for individual artists or collaborative artist teams in Pinellas County, Florida, working across all artistic disciplines. Successful applicants must develop a project and establish a partnership with a nonprofit organisation in the region which is consistent with the grant’s funding focus and the organisation’s mission. Exceptional projects that aim to address historical or systemic inequities may receive an additional $5000.
The deadline is 15th December.
Amplify’s Artist Grants - $500 or $1000 grants for Omaha-area artists and organisers who orient their practices toward building just futures. The grants offer unrestricted, direct financial support for applicants aiming to challenge dominant systems, forge collaborations, and engage with their communities. The funds can be used for various purposes, including covering costs associated with meeting basic needs like rent, food, and bills, as well as other project-related costs such as research, travel, marketing, promotional materials, equipment, software and more.
The deadline is 17th December.
Writers Guild Awards - a free-to-enter competition held by The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), a labour union representing writers of motion pictures and television, including news and documentaries. Their awards do have a radio and audio section for News Script and Radio/Audio Documentaries. Work must have been produced under WGA jurisdiction.
The deadline is 22nd December, 5 pm PT.
FIJ Threats to Democracy in the U.S. Grant - The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) offers grants of up to $10,000 to fund stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing related to threats to democracy in the U.S. Applicants must have a commitment from a media outlet to publish or broadcast the story. Proposals from journalists from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged. Successful applicants will have access to editorial mentorship and free legal assistance from the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press.
The deadline is 31st December, 11:59 pm ET, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The NPR College Podcast Challenge - a free-to-enter competition where U.S. based college students make an original short audio piece on any topic they want. The podcast can be in many different formats, including an interview, narrative story, or even investigative reporting, as long as it is between 3 and 8 minutes long. The contest is open to students of all ages pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree, as well as those who have already graduated earlier in 2023. It can be done alone or with collaborators. Roughly ten finalists will be awarded a $500 scholarship, and one Grand Prize Winner will receive $5000 and their story will have the chance to feature on NPR. For tips on applying you can read my Spotlight here.
The deadline is 5th January, 11:59 pm ET.
The Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting - a free-to-enter award honouring investigative reporting that promotes more effective and ethical conduct of government, the making of public policy, or the practice of politics. Submissions are only accepted from the U.S. news media. The winner receives $25,000 and five finalists receive $10,000. While the subject can address issues of foreign policy, a submission qualifies only if it has an impact on public policy in the U.S. at the national, regional or local level. Newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, radio, podcasts, and online news organisations are eligible.
The deadline is 10th January, 11:59 pm ET.
O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism - a 9-month fellowship for U.S. based journalists with at least five years of professional experience to work on a project at Marquette University. Applicants propose a rigorous, multimedia public service journalism project with the potential to have major impact, lead to significant reform, and explain how individuals and groups can identify creative solutions to social problems. Fellows receive a $75,000 stipend, a moving allowance of up to $7000 (for those relocating to the Milwaukee metropolitan area), and a travel and research allowance of up to $9000. The fellowship also offers accommodation allowances of: up to $7000 for a single, married or partnered fellow, up to $9000 for a fellow with one child, up to $10,000 for a fellow with two children, up to $12,000 for a fellow with three or more children. Applicants may be connected to print operations, radio, television, websites, podcasts, online publications, wire services, or magazines of general public interest. There are no academic prerequisites.
The deadline is 19th January.
Stanford’s John S. Knight Fellowship (United States) - a 10-month journey of professional and personal exploration for U.S. based journalists to test ideas for improving access to information that helps sustain robust democratic communities. The fellowship involves twice-weekly cohort events that include leadership workshops, skills training and discussions with guest experts. Applicants must have at least five years of full-time professional journalism experience, but NOTE: applicants do not require college degrees or experience in traditional newsrooms. Stanford offers a stipend of $95,000, plus a housing supplement to help with rent.
The deadline is 24th January, 1 pm PT.
Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition - a competition for artists living in any of the five U.S. territories to submit portraits in any medium. The competition seeks to broaden the definition of portraiture and highlight the genre’s relevance in society and contemporary art. Artists are encouraged to think about portraiture’s potential to engage with the social and political landscape of our time. The competition accepts digital or time-based art, which assumedly includes audio. Entry costs $50. The first-prize winner receives $25,000 and a commission to portray a noteworthy living American for inclusion in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. The second-prize winner receives $10,000, the third $7500, and the People’s Choice Award winner $1000. All finalist works will feature in a significant exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery with plans for a subsequent national tour.
The deadline is 26th January, midnight MT.
NPR Reflect America Fellowship - a 1-year fellowship for a journalist to join NPR’s Climate Desk and report on vulnerable communities, particularly Indigenous communities. They provide a $75,000 stipend, health insurance and paid time off. Fellows can either work remotely or on-site at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. and have at least two years' experience (including internships and other fellowships) in any journalism medium.
The deadline is 26th January, 11:59 pm ET.
En Foco’s Media Arts Fund: Work in Progress Initiative - a $2000 grant to support early-career artists of colour based in New York City who actively incorporate digital media technologies into their artistic processes. Applicants must have between two and nine years of artistic working history. Grantees are expected to complete a high-quality work in progress. All innovative interpretations of “digital media” will be considered, including sound art.
The deadline is 27th January, 11:59 pm ET.
Hillman Prize (United States) - a free-to-enter award honouring excellent U.S. journalism that is in service of the common good. They specifically seek out investigative journalism that exposes social and economic injustice and fosters meaningful public policy change. Entries can be across print, digital and broadcast platforms, but they should be widely accessible to a U.S. audience. Prize winners receive $5000.
The deadline is 30th January, 11:59 pm ET.
Nieman Fellowship (United States) - a residency for up to 12 journalists who are U.S. citizens working in any medium. Those selected spend two full semesters at Harvard auditing classes. Fellows must speak, read and write English fluently. Selected applicants will receive a stipend of $85,000 over the nine-month period to cover living costs, along with accommodation. To be eligible, you must be a working journalist with at least five years of full-time media experience. There are no age limits or academic prerequisites, and a college degree is not required.
The deadline is 31st January.
The NIHCM Foundation Television and Audio Journalism Award - a free-to-enter award recognising excellence in television and audio reporting on health care issues and policy. The winner receives $20,000. Entry can be either for an individual story or a series.
The deadline is 31st January.
Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowships - $10,000 to $20,000 grants for journalists based in Chicago and the Midwest focusing on global issues that are relevant to their local audiences. To be eligible, field reporting must be conducted from international locations and the selected topics should be timely and of clear interest and importance to audiences in Chicago and the Midwest. The fellowships are open to print, broadcast, and online journalists. Staff or freelancers are welcome to apply, but applicants should be able to demonstrate a committed interest from editors and/or producers.
The deadline is 1st February.
Spencer Fellowship for Education Reporting - a 1-year fellowship at Columbia Journalism School for four journalists and educators of all disciplines who want to develop and publish an ambitious long-form project that advances public understanding of education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. There are residential and non-residential fellowship options. Residential fellows receive an $85,000 scholarship for personal living expenses and non-residential fellows receive a $43,000 stipend. Both fellows receive $7500 for project expenses and one-on-one mentorship with a full-time faculty mentor from the Journalism School. Only residential fellows will receive Columbia’s basic student health insurance. A college degree is not required to apply.
The deadline is 1st February.
University of Ohio Graduate Study in Journalism - a fully funded M.Sc. in Journalism from the University of Ohio. Students can tailor their plan of study from a range of classes, which include podcasting and radio. Entry-level journalists as well as mid-career professionals are welcome to apply. Students accepted into the program compete for two years of tuition waivers and a stipend of $10,000 per year.
The deadline is 1st February.
SMU M.F.A Funding (Fall) - a fully funded, 2-year M.F.A in Art at Southern Methodist University (SMU) during which artists develop a substantial body of work. The intensive programme culminates in an exhibition at SMU's Pollock Gallery. The programme welcomes and has facilities for sound artists. They cover full tuition, materials and travel expenses. The funding is complemented by teaching assistantships.
The deadline is 1st February.
Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellowship - a yearlong fellowship at the University of Michigan designed to underscore the importance of arts reporting and criticism in American journalism. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a minimum of five years of experience, and currently be working in journalism. The fellow will pursue an ambitious journalism project related to the arts, during which they will have access to university courses, research and art creation across various disciplines. The fellow will receive a $85,000 living stipend, a $5000 relocation reimbursement, and health insurance coverage for the academic year. The successful applicant will be expected to relocate to the Ann Arbor area for the 2024-2025 academic year to study on campus. Audio producers are welcome to apply.
The deadline is 1st February.
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 2nd February.
United Kingdom + Ireland
Journalist Bursary Programme - two fully funded National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) courses at News Associates in Twickenham, led by the Chelsea Foundation and the Black Collective of Media in Sport. They also provide a contribution towards living expenses. The programme aims to provide a pathway for emerging voices in sports journalism.
The deadline is 15th December, 12 pm GMT.
Overcoat Media Trainee Audio Producer Placements - two fixed-term, 4-month trainee production placements at the Cardiff-based production company Overcoat Media. One will centre on classical music and the arts, and the other on general documentary and speech content. Successful applicants will work across a range of BBC network content and beyond. Lack of industry or audio experience is no barrier to application, and they especially welcome applications from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in the industry. Trainees will be mentored by a senior member of Overcoat’s creative team. The placements will be based at their production office between Cardiff and Bridgend, with some potential for limited home working. The salary is £27,000 pro rata.
The deadline is 22nd December.
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards - a free-to-enter competition for U.K. based broadcasters and production companies for outstanding television, streaming and radio or audio programmes. Nominations must be either produced or co-produced by U.K. production companies and/or commissioned or co-commissioned by U.K. broadcasters or publishers. There are three Radio/Audio categories: Radio Programme of the Year, Audio Presenter of the Year and Podcast of the Year.
The deadline is “the second week of January.”
Writing the Future: Open Call for Music Creators - an opportunity for four U.K. based music creators to craft a new musical piece for an ensemble of up to six London Sinfonietta musicians. This call is open to creators from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds who are deeply passionate about their art; the initiative particularly welcomes collaborations with artists from non-classical backgrounds like sound artists and improvising musicians, as well as music creators from historically underrepresented groups or communities. As part of the programme, each music creator will receive a bursary (unspecified), mentoring, and a research and development budget.
The deadline is 22nd January.
Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards - free-to-enter awards that champion the achievements of the U.K.’s current and emerging writers, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, content creators and personalities whose work encourages audiences to broaden their understanding of food and drink. They have a Radio and Podcast category. The category winners receive a trophy, a Fortnum & Mason Hamper and a bottle of Fortnum & Mason Champagne.
The deadline is 26th January.
Amnesty Media Awards - celebrating excellence in human rights journalism U.K. based media outlets. There is a Radio & Podcasts category, as well as a free-to-enter, medium agnostic Gaby Rado Award for New Journalist category, for an applicant who has been working for five years or less in paid employment as a journalist. Entries must be in English or subtitled in English. Entries cost £175, but freelance journalists, non-profit or small media outlets can apply for sponsorship.
The deadline is 29th January, midnight GMT.
Sandford St Martin Awards - a free-to-enter award for U.K. broadcast content that explores religious, spiritual or ethical themes. Relevant categories include: Radio/Audio category, Journalism and the Young Audience award, for media made for those under 18.
The deadline is 31st January, midnight GMT.
Charles Parker Prize - a free-to-enter award for student audio in the U.K. NOTE: The prize used to be only for audio features made by students (or recently graduated students) in Further or Higher Education, but now those who have attended an accredited media training course can also apply. Ten pieces are shortlisted and the top five are awarded a slot on BBC Radio 4 as part of the New Creatives programming. The shortlisted makers receive mentorship to adapt the programme for the radio and a small fee of around £400 for the adaptation. The work must have been produced between 25th February 2023 and 12th February 2024 and be between 10 and 15 minutes in duration. Entries must not have been previously broadcast on a national broadcasting network.
The deadline is 12th February, 11:59 pm GMT.
Europe
Grants for Journalistic Work about Ukraine - cross-border journalism grants of up to €5000 for the production and publication of high quality, in-depth, and underreported stories focused on Ukraine. The programme is open to journalists from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and Ukraine. Applicants must form teams of a minimum of two members, including at least one journalist from the EU and one journalist from Ukraine. The programme welcomes journalistic projects spanning various genres and formats, including podcasts. Grants will be available from July 2023 to September 2024. Applications are reviewed and awarded monthly.
The deadline is rolling.
N-ost Fellowship Program for Ukrainian Journalists - a production grant and European study tour for 12 Ukrainian journalists. The aim is to cultivate and reinforce lasting connections between Western European and Ukrainian media, facilitating a deeper understanding of the social and political dynamics within each. Applicants are encouraged to: work in public or independent media; be based in Ukraine; have experience in foreign reporting; have a basic knowledge of the EU and its Member States; and possess a very good command of English, both oral and written. Fellows will visit independent and public editorial offices, meet representatives from civil society and attend networking events, working sessions and group discussions. The programme will take place in Budapest, Sofia and Rome from 13th to 25th April and in Berlin, Paris and Madrid from 25th May to 6th June. Travel, accommodation and catering costs during the study tours will be covered.
The deadline is 11th December, midnight CET.
The German-Latin American Fellowship (Germany) - a 2-month fellowship which offers five young German journalists the opportunity to spend two months in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking media organisation. They accept journalists from many media, including radio. Applicants should mention their preferred medium in the application but the International Journalists’ Programme reserves the right to accommodate fellows in other media. The fellowship covers all basic travel expenses, transportation, accommodation and meals.
The deadline is 17th December.
Belgian Podcast Awards - awards for podcasts produced in Belgium or published for Belgian listeners. Submitted podcasts must have published a minimum of four episodes between January and December 2023 (except for the documentary and story categories, for which there is no minimum threshold). They have 14 categories, including French Language. There are also three special awards which independent podcast creators are automatically entered into: Best Interview, Best Reportage and Best Production. The final decision is based: 50% on points from the jury, 40% on online public voting and 10% on public voting during the award show.
The deadline is 31st December, 11:59 pm CET.
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. Teams can also apply for mentorship. The final project can be published in any language.
The next deadline is 18th January, 1 pm CET.
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 2024 deadline is 1st February, 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 2023 deadline is 1st February, 1 pm CET.
Africa
Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program - a fully funded, 2-year Master’s of Journalism from The University of California Berkeley for applicants from Sub-Saharan Africa. They teach narrative writing, radio, photography, broadcast and online video production, multimedia storytelling, and data- and investigative-based journalism.
The deadline is 15th December, 8:59 pm PT.
Excellence in Journalism Award - an award recognising independent Guinean journalists producing high quality, innovative reporting that informs communities and holds public figures accountable. Entries must be in either French or English. The competition accepts many journalistic disciplines, including radio and audio, as long as it originates from Guinean media. Award recipients will be invited to participate in a 3-day, in-person journalism training programme in Guinea in 2024. Additionally, winners will be eligible to receive a US$1000 project grant and one-on-one mentoring throughout the duration of their project.
The deadline is 12th January.
Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling - an award that honours up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people's voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. English-speaking journalists working for print, broadcast and online news media based in Africa are eligible. Applicants must have no more than ten years of journalism experience. Winners receive a $5000 cash prize and will spend two weeks at The Economist’s headquarters in London.
The deadline is 31st January.
COMESA Media Awards - free-to-enter awards that honour journalists who have reported on and made significant contributions to the subject of regional integration. They accept entries in various fields, including print, radio, television and online media. Only journalists from the COMESA Member States can apply. Entries must be in one of the COMESA official languages: English, French, or Arabic.
The deadline is 31st January.
Latin America
Solidarity Reporting Prize - Instituto MOL’s awards for journalists and journalism students who report on citizenship practices in Brazil. Works in text, audio, video and image format are accepted. Winners receive BRL5000 for the professional categories and BRL3000 for the student categories. Applicants must complete the free online course on solidarity reporting before submitting entries.
The deadline is 9th December.
The German-Latin American Fellowship (Latin America) - a 2-month fellowship which offers six young Latin American journalists the opportunity to spend two months in a German-speaking media organisation. They accept journalists from many media, including radio. Applicants should mention their preferred medium in the application but the International Journalists’ Programme reserves the right to accommodate fellows in other media. The fellowship covers all basic travel expenses, transportation, accommodation and meals and offers a €4000 scholarship.
The deadline is 17th December.
Canada
Hillman Prize (Canada) - a free-to-enter award honouring excellent Canadian journalism that is in service of the common good. They specifically seek out investigative journalism that exposes social and economic injustice and fosters meaningful public policy change. Entries can be across print, digital, and broadcast platforms, but they should be widely accessible to a Canadian audience. Self-published work is not eligible. Prize winners receive $5000.
The deadline is 15th January, 11:59 pm ET.
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