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Call for applications: SUMERNET grants for media-research partnerships for environmental reporting (Apr-Nov 2021)
23 May, 2021
Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) is providing eight grants worth up to US$2,800 to selected journalists in the Mekong Region for environmental reporting during April to November 2021.
These grants are intended for media to partner with SUMERNET researchers to produce and publish impactful stories that highlight critical environmental sustainability issues related to SUMERNET research projects, while enhancing the capacity of SUMERNET researchers in communicating their research to the public.
Background
SUMERNET focuses on water insecurity issues in the Mekong Region. In Phase 4 of its programme (2019–28), titled SUMERNET 4 All (S4A), the network will link evidence-based research on regionally relevant water issues and engage with policy, local community and vulnerable groups across the region.
As a core objective of this phase, we want to strengthen partnerships between researchers and the media to ensure that our research results are centred around local and regional needs, as well as to reach out to key policy audiences.
The media-research partnership fund seeks to enable collaboration and close interactions between SUMERNET researchers and journalists. Researchers will share information and findings from research to enhance the capacity of the media to report on environmental issues. They will supply scientific messaging to report on complex environmental stories, share access to networking opportunities and coordinate visits to the research field sites. In exchange, the media grantees will guide SUMERNET researchers on how to craft communications that resonate with non-academic audiences, while still conveying the importance of the scientific findings.
While the story must relate to the key themes within the S4A research projects, journalists are expected to maintain their independence in choosing the focus and angle of their story.
Currently, S4A is supporting 19 projects across five countries in the Mekong Region related to three research themes, which are:
- water access and rights, and allocation of water in times of scarcity
- governance and management of flood disaster risks, and
- transboundary interactions with water systems.
Who can apply?
Eight grants worth up to US$2800 will be awarded to selected applicants. Applicants must be either citizens of, or based in, the countries of the Mekong Region. We especially encourage early-career media professionals to take advantage of this opportunity. Note: Both freelance and staff journalists can apply. Freelance journalists are encouraged to provide a supporting letter of intent from an outlet or organization that will disseminate their work.
- Journalists (early to mid-career, freelancers* or groups of beginner journalists who wish to collaborate). Preference is given to early career, female journalists living in the Mekong Region.
- Multimedia producers (young, early career) who work with photography, audio, video and/or animation.
Selection criteria, application and selection process
The journalists will be selected through an open call and competitive process.
Applicants must demonstrate their willingness to exchange and share knowledge and build the partnership with the SUMERNET research teams through this partnership opportunity. The media grantees will be selected through an open call and competitive process, following the selection criteria and process outlined in the attached pdf.
The application should be submitted along with the CV, cover letter, and story proposal through the online form available at this link: https://sei.submittable.com/submit/193774/sumernet-grants-for-media-research-partnerships-for-environmental-reporting
The application deadline is Sunday 23 May 2021, 23:59 (Bangkok local time).
Contact
For more information on the grant or SUMERNET, please contact: Agus Nugroho (agus.nugroho@sei.org) or Rajesh Daniel (rajesh.daniel@sei.org).
