IWMF Fund for Women Journalists 2023 for Women Journalists

IWMF Fund for Women Journalists 2023 for Women Journalists. Apply below.

When is Application Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Tell Me About Fund for Women Journalists:

Promoting the work and advancing the role of women and nonbinary journalists across the globe is critical to advancing transparency and diversity in the news media.

The Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists (FWJ), the first funding initiative of its kind, supports journalists and journalism projects including, but not limited to, professional development opportunities, investigative reporting and media development initiatives led by women and nonbinary people. Established with a $4 million gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, FWJ has supported more than 330 journalists from 47 countries since its inception in 2015.

Type:

Grants

Who can Apply for Fund for Women Journalists?

• Freelance and staff journalists of any nationality may apply.
• Applications must be submitted in English or Spanish, but reporting may be published in any language.
• The IWMF accepts applications from individual women and nonbinary journalists and from teams of journalists.
• FOR TEAMS: Teams may include journalists of any gender; however, the submission must be from a woman or nonbinary journalist, and the team must include at least 50% women or nonbinary journalists.
  • Note: The IWMF believes that gender does not conform to one notion. We are inclusive of all women, nonbinary and gender nonconforming journalists.
• Journalism must be the applicant’s primary profession.
• Applicants must have at least one year of professional journalism experience, with a track record of publishing in non-student outlets.

How are Applicants Selected?

Applicants may apply for one of two different types of funding: reporting projects or professional development opportunities.

The Fund for Women Journalists will prioritize reporting projects pitched around underreported stories of global importance. 

Reporting projects include journalistic work in any media format, including but not limited to print, digital, broadcast, audio, video, photography and new media.

Professional development opportunities can include security training, conferences, workshops and media development initiatives such as technical skills-building training.

We encourage applicants to consider a one-year timeline or less for completion and publication of their project. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Which Countries are Eligible?

Any

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of Fund for Women Journalists?

Approximately $230,000 will be disbursed each year. Grant sizes will depend on the proposal and the inclusion of a detailed budget.

The budget should include all your hard reporting expenses – such as airfare, lodging and photography – as well as a personal stipend if you are a freelance journalist. 

Here is a non-exhaustive list of what can be included in your budget:

• Stipend for freelance reporter
• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Photography
• Interpreters and translators
• Fees for public document requests
• Local producers
• Video/audio editing
• Transcription
• Travel insurance
• Licensing fees
• Bank transfer fees
• PPE (e.g., masks, gloves)
• COVID-19 tests

We do not fund the following expenses:

• Tuition or living expenses for undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking programs
• Professional development opportunities not related to journalism
• Equipment for rental or purchase (e.g., computers, cameras, microphones, hard drives, software)
• Payment for sources
• “Miscellaneous” or “emergency” line items
• General operating expenses for organizations

How Long will Award Last?

The Fund for Women Journalists will accept applications on a rolling basis; applications take approximately 4-6 weeks from the submission to process. Please keep this in mind as you design your project timeline. Only in rare circumstances are we able to expedite the grant review process for time-sensitive stories.

How to Apply:

Apply to the Fund for Women Journalists >>

Visit Award Webpage for Details