All Hear Rolling Deadlines
My name is Talia, I’m an audio producer based in London. Last year, I created a Google Doc compiling international audio resources. Now, I publish opportunities with upcoming deadlines in my monthly newsletter, in collaboration with Transom.org
This page is for any opportunities with rolling deadlines, just to make sure they’re easily accessible, and don’t get lost in the monthly format.
All Hear is free and always will be, but if you would like to support me as I continue to write the newsletter and update my resource list, you can buy me a coffee, or donate to Transom.
International (for people working in any language)
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.
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 Pulitzer Center’s Global Reporting Grants - funding for in-depth, underreported stories related to conflicts around the world. There are no restrictions on topic or reporting location. They are open to journalists across all mediums, including audio and radio. They encourage ambitious proposals that combine print, photography, audio, and/or video for one or more news outlets. Most grants for international travel are between $5000 and $10,000, but may be more or less depending on circumstances. Staff or freelancers can apply, but freelancers planning to report in war zones and other high-risk regions will need a firm assignment from outlets agreeing to take full responsibility for that applicant’s safety and well-being. They accept applications in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Bahasa Indonesia.
Digital Defenders’ Incident Emergency Fund - a rapid response mechanism for international human rights defenders such as journalists, activists and organisations who are facing digital threats and attacks. The IEF provides up to €10,000 which can be used to cover costs that will directly reduce the risk or impact of a digital attack. If applying for the latter, the application must be related to digital threats or attacks that your organisation experienced in the last three months. They accept applications in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, but you can submit language requests for alternate languages.
The deadline is rolling.
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 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 are facing 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 IFJ Safety Fund - immediate financial relief to international journalists in danger and need. They provide assistance in a range of emergency cases, such as threats, violence, prosecution, settlement in exile and illness or medical crisis. There is no specified monetary limit.
Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund - an international initiative offering assistance for Black journalists facing financial hardship who are unable to pay for the mental health support they need. The fund will consider supporting Black journalists globally who: have journalism as a primary profession; were laid off or quit due to harmful workplace practices; are former journalists suffering from lasting emotional or physical trauma from their time in the field.
Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists - an international fund to advance the role of women and nonbinary journalists in the news media across the globe. The funding supports projects including educational opportunities, investigative reporting and media development initiatives. In particular, they support reporting that exposes underreported but critical global issues that challenge traditional media narratives. The journalistic work can be in any media format, including audio and broadcast. Applicants must have at least one year of professional journalism experience. They recommend that you apply with a commitment from a news outlet. Applications are only accepted in English (preferred) or Spanish, but reporting may be published in any language.
International (for people working in English)
The Joan Shorenstein Fellowship - 1-year or semester-long fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School for experienced international journalists, scholars, politicians and policymakers. The fellowship includes creating a project alongside other commitments such as speaking engagements, interviews, meetings, events, social gatherings, reports, 1-2 hours of student hours per month, and bi-monthly articles for the Shorenstein Center site. Fellows receive a monthly stipend (unspecified); travel, housing, and living expenses are not covered by the Shorenstein Center. Journalists must have a minimum of ten years of full-time experience, either at professional news organisations or as a full-time freelancer. Applicants must be fluent in English. Career professionals from a variety of related fields are welcome to apply, including journalists for radio and digital media. The projects can take many forms, including podcasts, but they should have an anticipated impact on society.
The Podcasting, Seriously Funds - financial support for independent, BIPOC, Queer and Trans audio professionals from the U.S., U.K. Canada or Australia. There are two Podcasting, Seriously funds: the Awards fund which covers up to US$200 per calendar year in submission fees for key audio awards, and the Education Fund which covers up to US$500 per calendar year in courses and training. The awards and training programmes must be based in the U.S., U.K., Canada or Australia.
The Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Reporting Grant - short-term, project-based funding support to journalists who want to report on tropical rainforests in three key regions: the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. They are looking for ambitious reporting proposals looking into critical issues including illegal deforestation, Indigenous rights, the extraction industry, biodiversity, and more. Staff and freelance journalists are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and bahasa Indonesia. Grants are open to all journalists: writers, photographers, radio producers, and filmmakers. They support veteran reporters who have been widely published, but also younger applicants who are looking for help to jumpstart their careers.
Pulitzer Center’s AI Reporting Grants - an international grant to cover the hard costs of in-depth, high-impact reporting projects documenting the opportunities, harms, and regulatory and labour issues surrounding artificial intelligence. The grants are open to radio and audio producers. Staff journalists as well as freelancers can apply, whether veteran reporters or younger applicants looking to jumpstart their careers.
The Pulitzer Center’s Grants for Underreported Stories in Sub-Saharan Africa - funds for international journalists and newsrooms reporting on issues impacting communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Topics can include (but are not limited to): water and sanitation, land degradation and coastal erosion, education, maternal health, and climate resilience. They encourage local journalists to apply. Grants are open to radio and audio journalists; they support projects across all media platforms and encourage ambitious proposals that combine print, photography, audio, and/or video for one or more news outlets. Freelance and staff journalists can apply. There is no budget range — they will consider projects of any scope and size. Applications must be written in English.
The Pulitzer Center’s Global Reporting Grants - funds for international journalists and newsrooms reporting on critical issues that are often overlooked in the media, from global health to climate change. This is a "catch-all" grant, so there are no restrictions on topic or reporting location. Most grants for international travel are between US$5,000 and $10,000, but may be more or less depending on circumstances. In any case, applicants must provide reasonable and detailed budgets. Grants are open to radio and audio journalists; they support projects across all media platforms and encourage ambitious proposals that combine print, photography, audio, and/or video for one or more news outlets. Applications must be written in English.
Pulitzer Center’s Gender Equality Grants - funds for international journalists and newsrooms to step up their reporting on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Pulitzer Center values stories that elevate the voices of communities not often represented in the media, stories of resilience, and projects that tackle systemic issues of gender equality using data and investigative reporting. Journalists can be freelance, staff, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. There is no budget range — they will consider projects of any scope and size. Applications must be written in English.
Pulitzer Center’s Science Misinformation Grants - funds for international journalists and newsrooms reporting in-depth journalism that tackle science denial and the spread of science misinformation and disinformation. Journalists can be freelance, staff, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. They are open to all forms of investigative journalism, from data journalism, radio and podcasts, to news and documentary videos. There is no budget range — they will consider projects of any scope and size. Applications must be written in English.
COVID-19, Vaccines, and Global Health Inequities Grants funds for international journalists and newsrooms reporting on overlooked COVID-19 inequities and other U.S. and global health system failures. Journalists can be freelance, staff, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. NOTE: unlike other Pulitzer grants, they do not specifically mention supported mediums. There is no budget range — they will consider projects of any scope and size. Applications must be written in English.
United States
First People’s Fund Yéigo Action Grant - support for the growing landscape of Native artists and culture bearers in the U.S. who require financial assistance with a professional development opportunity or towards a hardship that is hindering their creative practice. They offer grants between $100 and $5000. Applicants must be over the age of 18 and enrolled members of, or provide proof of lineal descendancy from, a U.S. federally recognised or U.S. state-recognised tribe, or be able to provide proof of ancestry as an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian.
The deadline is rolling, on the 10th of each month.
P&T Knitwear Free Recording Sessions - P&T Knitwear, a recording studio in the Lower East Side in New York, is offering free studio bookings up to three times a month. Their studio is located at 180 Orchard Street. Email: sam [at] ptknitwear [dot] com for more information.
Simon and June Li Leadership Transformation Fellowship - support for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists in the acceleration of their media leadership and entrepreneurial journeys by covering the cost of external leadership programmes. Applicants to the Fellowship will apply to programmes such as Columbia’s Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program, CUNY’s Executive Program in News Innovation and Leadership, and Poynter’s Media Transformation Challenge. Fellowships are awarded contingent on acceptance to the applicant’s programme.
Artists’ Emergency Fund - $1000 unrestricted funds for cultural sector workers based in Greater Austin facing verifiable and immediate housing, food or healthcare insecurity (including travel, lodging and procedure expenses related to reproductive care). They have previously supported sound artists, audio technicians and sound designers. Priority will be given to ACA members. NOTE: Repayment is not required, but artists who receive funding may be asked to support the ACA Community in the future.
South Arts Professional Development and Artistic Planning Grants - funding up to $1000 to support artistic planning and the professional development needs of Southern American presenters, programmers, or curators. The funding can support staff’s travel expenses to conferences, festivals, exhibitions, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Applicants must be: a tax-exempt nonprofit; an official unit of local, county, state government; or a federally recognised tribal community based within South Arts’ nine-state service area (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee).
IWMF Fund for Indigenous Journalists - a fund supporting in-depth U.S. based reporting projects by indigenous journalists on the issue of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender people (MMIWG2T). Projects can be in any medium, including podcasts. The average grant amount is expected to be up to $5000; project proposals over $10,000 will be considered on a limited basis. Staff and freelancers are welcome to apply.
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.
Fund for Indigenous Journalists - funding for U.S. based, in-depth reporting projects from Indigenous journalists and Indigenous-led teams. They will prioritise projects that explore the underlying factors of the issue of violence against Indigenous people with a focus on women, girls, Two-Spirit, and transgender people. The average grant amount is $5000, but they will also consider proposals over $10,000 on a limited basis. Projects can be in any media format, including broadcast and podcasts. Practising journalism must be the applicant’s primary profession, and special consideration will be given to freelancers.
Economic Hardship Reporting Project Fellowship - grants for independent journalists reporting on issues related to poverty, economic class, workers’ rights, and income disparity in the U.S. Their grants range from $500 - $10,000. They support a range of media, including podcasts and documentaries. Teams or individuals can apply. Applicants must have reporting experience, be previously published and self-identify as a journalist.
The Pulitzer Center’s Grants for Threats to Democracy in the U.S. - funds for U.S. based journalists and newsrooms reporting on threats to democratic institutions in the United States. Topics can include (but are not limited to) voting suppression, misinformation and disinformation, intimidation of election officials, politicisation of election systems, political violence, dark money, and extremism/militias. Journalists can be freelance, staff, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. There is no budget range — they will consider projects of any scope and size. Applications must be written in English.
FIJ Grants - the Funds for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) offer grants of up to $10,000 three to four times a year, but they have a rolling review for stories that explore threats to democracy in the U.S. All journalists can apply, but most are freelancers. Pitches for radio stories are welcome. International reporters are applicable but NOTE: 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.
Spotlight DC Investigative Grant - a $10,000 fund for investigative journalism. Proposed projects must cover stories based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. They accept a range of mediums, including projects for podcast, radio and broadcast outlets. Applicants can be freelance or affiliated with news organisations, but Spotlight DC prefers that the journalist provides expression of interest or commitment from a news outlet with the initial grant application. If necessary, they can assist in finding a publication partner for the project.
Matriarch’s Our Greatness Micro-grants - a microgrant programme for independent, U.S. based, women of colour podcasters. Matriarch defines “independent” as a podcast that is not contracted through any large-scale company or network. You can only submit one application. The Matriarch team reviews applications monthly.
The Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowships - a fellowship for journalists in the Midwest focusing on global issues that affect Midwestern readers and viewers. They offer stipends for proposed projects of up to $20,000. Fellows can be print, broadcast, and online journalists, whether staff or freelancers.
United Kingdom
Creative Debut Black Artist Grant - a £500 grant for U.K. based, Black artists, awarded each month. You can only apply once (your application will be kept and reviewed in future months). The grant can be spent on whatever the artist needs, whether that be equipment, materials, travel, research, classes, exhibitions or even just covering life expenses.
The White Pube Creatives Grant - a one-off £500 grant awarded to different early-career, working class, U.K. based creative practitioners, decided once every month. The money can be used for whatever the artist needs — funding materials, equipment, research, subscriptions, development, travel, or even rent and bills.
Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals - grants of between £500 and £100,000 for freelance and self-employed creative practitioners in Scotland. This can support an up to 24-month period of research, development and/or delivery of a creative project. Eligibility criteria is here.
Journalists’ Charity First Jobs Fund - funds to support new U.K. based journalists (working for less than two years) who are struggling financially. Applicants should be currently working full-time in journalism, about to start a new job with a firm offer of employment, or freelancers who can prove they earn their main income from journalism and can provide evidence of their work. The fund will offer support with essential costs such as accommodation, moving home, transport and essential work-related equipment. They don’t specify a limit to the amount you can request, but you will need to provide specific details of what this will cover and how it will help. If you have been a journalist for more than two years, you might qualify for other forms of financial assistance from the charity.
Africa
Journalists’ Agroecology Media Grant - a fund to support the coverage of stories that are focused on agroecology in Uganda. Only professional agriculture journalists reporting for an established media house may apply. Many mediums are welcome, including web, radio and broadcast, but applicants must have a commitment letter from an editor or media house promising to print or air the scholarship-winning material. Journalists can create stories in any language, but they should also be translated into English.
Spotify Studios Braamfontein Free Bookings - an opportunity for audio producers with podcasts available on Spotify to record their podcast from Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Cafe, located in Braamfontein in Johannesburg, South Africa. The studio can seat four people at one time. Slots will be one hour long on Tuesdays and Fridays. You must arrive 1 hour before your booked session.
The RCDIJ Africa Fund - funds for individual journalists across Africa to support small to mid-scale data and/or investigative journalism projects. The funds range from US$1000 to $10,000, depending on scale, location, and duration. Successful applicants will also have their works published on the centre’s sister platform, Ripples Nigeria, with editorial support throughout the process. There are several categories, including Online, Broadcast and Multimedia. Applications must be in English.
Spotify Studios Nigeria Free Bookings - Spotify Africa has partnered with Eggcorn Digital to make free studio space available for podcast creators in Nigeria. The studio is available for both audio and video production. All podcasts that record in the Spotify studio must be distributed on Spotify, amongst other channels. Creators will have to direct their audiences to Spotify (and any other platforms) on all social media posts, and the studio space will have Spotify branding in it. There will be non-compulsory online workshops for all creators using the space on how to grow an audience, how to market a show, how to build community, etc.
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.
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