Africa-China Reporting Project Grants 2023 for African Journalists

The Africa-China Reporting Project, in collaboration with the African Centre for the Study of the United States, are calling journalists and researchers to apply for reporting grants to produce media reports or research papers, drawing comparisons of China and US approaches in Africa, in various areas of engagement detailed below.

Application Deadline: 5th April 2023

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: African countries and China

About the Award: The Africa-China Reporting Project, in collaboration with the African Centre for the Study of the United States, are calling journalists and researchers to apply for reporting grants to produce media reports or research papers, drawing comparisons of China and US approaches in Africa, in various areas of engagement detailed below.

Following the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, a number of commitments were made towards the African continent.  The commitments include[i]:

• People-to-people ties
• Global Governance and Diplomatic Engagement
• Trade, Investment, and Inclusive Economic Growth
• Technology and Innovation
• Health
• Food Security
• Climate Change
• Democracy and Governance

Comparatively, the FOCAC had an even more extensive action plan pledging cooperation in the following areas[ii]:

• Political Cooperation: high-level visits and international cooperation.
• Economic cooperation: agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, digital economy, and trade.
• Social Development: health, education, and poverty reduction.
• Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: media, culture, academia, youth and women.
• Peace and Security Cooperation: military, law enforcement, anti-corruption, and immigration.
• Green Development: climate response, maritime, energy.

Fields of Research: Within the Africa-China framework there are various issues where fresh and ground-breaking reporting can be undertaken, such as the following:

• Economy: Corporate activities, criminal networks, business links, etc.
• Development and infrastructure: Ground-breaking and/or problematic projects and deals, community impact, etc.
• Social: Health, public services, etc.
• Governance: Government dealings/engagements, aid and development assistance, education and sponsorships, etc.
• Environment: Following-up on the ban in ivory trade, complexities of implementation; poaching & trafficking; pollution, etc.
• Agriculture: Ground-breaking agricultural developments/exchanges, crop yields and new strains, etc.

• And more topics such as Industrialisation; Chinese company activities; Dangerous and/or illegal industrial operations; Community engagement & mobilization; Chinese support and activities in favor of regional integration; Chinese private security in Africa and the arms trade; Activities of and engagements with Chinese communities in Africa; Anti-piracy measures; Chinese corporate social responsibility in Africa, etc.

These are suggested themes, but there could be many others, and as long as the focus is within the broad Africa-China framework the Project will consider each proposal on its own merits.

Type: Grants

Eligibility: Applicants are expected to investigate and report on the outcomes of the projects and investments form the commitments towards communities in Africa, and the impact of their implementation or current developments.  Journalists and/or researchers are to report on what the United States and China are doing in Africa, and bring the local perspectives to show how the lives of the people on the ground are affected, and engage the responses from African communities.  The investigation can take the format of a comparative analysis of what both the US and China are developing coincidently in a particular region or country. The investigation can also focus solely on the investments or project by the US or China in its engagements with Africa.  Investigations must ultimately bring in a comparative element in terms of either the past relations which China and the US had within the African community, or on the current engagements, and/or the competition between the US and China in Africa. Applicants can focus their investigations on any areas of engagement, which can include, but not limited to:

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Grants: 

• The grants are intended to provide funding for travel, accommodation and sundry daily expenses, but not car hire, purchase of equipment or professional fees, or to buy publication space
• Grants are generally as much as $1500

Duration of Grants: The reporting project should be completed and published within three months of the receipt of the grant funding unless otherwise agreed

How to Apply: Applications must be sent to ACRPapplications@gmail.com titled: Application: US and China Engagements in Africa, by no later than Wednesday, 5 April 2023 and should contain the following (only documents in MS Word or PDF formats will be accepted):

• Applicant CV
• Brief proposal outlining: (a) The story to be investigated with clear headline and explanation of why the story is significant and timely, b) The investigation proposed; the authors’ short bio, the region/countries and/or issues/developments being comparatively explored, c) The investigation methodology: how you will conduct the investigation and reporting (reporting trips, potential interviewees, etc.), (d) The proposed publication platform (documentary, print, online, research paper etc.), (e) An itemized budget totaling no more than US$1,500
• List of previously published and relevant reporting/research

Successful applicants will be notified after the closing date.

Please send any queries to ACRPcontact@gmail.com

Visit Grants Webpage for details