EJN Deep Dive Fellowship 2025 for Journalists and Content Creators in the Pacific

📖 About the Fellowship

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering grants to journalists and content creators in the Pacific who have participated in "The Deep Dive: Building Skills for Transformative Ocean Reporting" workshops. These grants aim to support the production of in-depth stories, video shorts, and creative projects on ocean issues affecting the region.

EJN's Pacific initiative, "The Deep Dive," equips Pacific journalists and storytellers with the knowledge, tools, and connections to report on ocean issues with creativity, authority, and a strong Pacific voice. The project emphasizes the importance of elevating the Pacific's voice to address the multiple crises affecting the ocean.

Key Highlights of the Program:

• Training Duration: An eight-part training series on ocean reporting in the Pacific, running until July 2025.
• Participants: 24 journalists and storytellers across the region.
• Focus Areas: Challenges to South Pacific Ocean health, conservation solutions, science, and journalism skills for effective ocean reporting.
• Special Engagement: Sessions with selected ocean champions, including Pacific leaders and ministers.

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• Grant Amount: Up to US$700 for 13 selected creative content creators and journalists.
• Purpose: To produce high-quality, solutions-focused ocean stories.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the EJN Deep Dive Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Residency: Applicants must be journalists or content creators based in the Pacific who participated in the Deep Dive training.
2. Social Media Creators:
   • Must actively and frequently post short-form videos on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or X.
   • Content topics may include lifestyle, social issues, travel, science, economy, politics, culture, environment, and health.
   • Should not currently report for any media outlets (former journalists are eligible).
   • Prior content focused on ocean or environmental issues is not required, but an interest in biodiversity is essential.
3. Journalists:
   • Can be on staff at a media outlet or freelance.
   • Must have an active presence on social media platforms (e.g., posting at least once a week or regularly creating video/text content about journalistic projects).
   • Prior experience as a content creator is not required, but an interest in improving social media skills is key.
4. Language:
   • Applications must be submitted in English.
   • Applicants must have a working understanding of English or access to a translator for communication with Internews staff. However, content can be produced in any language.
5. Ethical Standards:
   • Applicants must adhere to ethical professional conduct. Plagiarism or submitting AI-generated content as their own will result in disqualification.

🏆 Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

For Journalists:

• A consistent track record of reporting in-depth stories for media outlets (experience in environmental topics is an advantage but not mandatory).
• An active social media presence (e.g., posting at least once a week and creating video/text content about journalistic projects).

General Criteria:

1. Relevance: Does the content idea align with the objectives of the fellowship? Is the main idea and value to the target audience clearly defined?
2. Angle: Does the content bring new insights or offer a fresh perspective on biodiversity issues?
3. Impact: Are the pitches compelling and likely to inform, engage, and inspire action?
4. Innovative Storytelling: Creative storytelling approaches, narrative styles, and/or data usage will be considered a plus.
5. Motivation: Demonstrated interest in using social media to produce impactful ocean-related content and a clear plan to continue this work post-fellowship.
6. Availability: Fellows must:
   • Participate in pre- and post-workshop surveys.
   • Attend the Deep Dive virtual training and peer learning sessions.
   • Commit to producing and disseminating at least three pieces of content by November 2025.

📅 Application Date and Deadline

• Application Deadline: July 20, 2025

📝 Application Process

To apply for the EJN Deep Dive Fellowship, visit the official application portal.

🌐 Sponsor Organization

• Earth Journalism Network (EJN)

For more details, visit the EJN Deep Dive Fellowship page.

This fellowship is a unique opportunity to amplify Pacific voices and create impactful stories about ocean issues. Don't miss the chance to make a difference! 🌊

• 13 grants of up to US$700 each to creative content creators and journalists who have participated in the Deep Dive training and are interested in producing high-quality solutions-focused ocean stories.