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Applications are open for the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Grants for Video Content Production & Distribution to Build Awareness About Renewable Energy in India 2025. To improve public awareness about India's efforts to decarbonize and scale its renewable energy capacity in a just and equitable way, EJN is providing fellowships for the production of video content on policy, financing, payment and infrastructure hurdles-and effective solutions to overcome them.
Opportunity Details
They aim to support the production of video reports that raise awareness about the status of the renewable energy sector and strategies to ensure its growth in India in all states, but especially in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. EJN's aim is to improve access to quality information among policymakers, project developers, investors and consumers. Selected communicators will be paired with mentors who will provide guidance and support to strengthen their capacity to cover RE. Proposals that focus on topics that have not been widely covered are preterred. Issues that have already received a lot of coverage or don't provide unique angles to challenges are less likely to be selected.
They welcome proposals that may cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:
The pace of RE rollout in one of the four states—Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh
Challenges of financing RE and how communities/businesses/governments are overcoming them (if at all)
RE challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and/or solutions to mitigate these challenges
The economic and social impact of RE on local communities and ways in which challenges can be overcome
The industries working on RE transition (such as technicians, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, factories, etc.)
The issue of just transition
Developments in clean energy storage technologies
Besides pitches on solar and wind energy, we encourage proposals to report on new biofuels and the role they can play in the move toward a cleaner economy, with a focus on ethanol as transport fuel; and
The promise of green hydrogen, the issues involved in scaling this technology, and ways to overcome these challenges
Content logistics
EJN will provide remuneration and mentorship to each selected applicant, depending on the proposal and budget provided by the applicant. The budget should cover reporting and production costs amounting to a maximum of ₹2.75 lakh for a video of around 8 minutes in length. Applicants can also propose a series of shorter videos within the same total budget limit.
Proposals from all states in India are eligible, but proposals that shed light on the RE situation in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be prioritized.
Groups of content producers are eligible. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds as remuneration on the group’s behalf, if awarded.
For the purposes of this opportunity, we will be accepting applications in English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.
Applications are open to India-based video content producers with a demonstrated interest in covering the RE sector. Applicants are encouraged to share previous video reports they’ve completed on RE or similar topics in their application. In an effort to ensure equal opportunities and a diversity of voices, we especially encourage applications from women, youth, and members of Indigenous and/or ethnic minority communities.
They are seeking applications from freelancers and staff from all types of outlets—international, national, local and community-based.
EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct, including, but not limited to, plagiarism and/or submitting AI-generated content as their own.
Please note: Advocacy-focused stories, opinion editorials and/or strategic communications pieces will not be considered for support.
Applicants should consider the following points when devising their proposals:
Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of this call? Why does this report matter and to whom? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
Angle: If the subject has been covered already, does your proposal bring new insights into the topic or offer a fresh angle?
Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and urge action?
Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches like data visualization will be considered a plus.
As part of the application, applicants will be asked to provide:
Storyboard or treatment: Outline a rough storyboard/treatment using this template describing how you envision the final project. The storyboard should include a descriptive and detailed list of visuals, segments, interviews and sounds you plan to capture in the field. Use the storyboard as an opportunity to illustrate your vision, access to sources and pre-reporting efforts. The final product should be at least 8 minutes in length, and if it’s a series, the total run time of the videos should also add up to 8 minutes.
Letter of support: All applicants must include a letter of support from a media outlet in their application, committing to broadcast the reports by October 31, 2025.
Safety: They encourage reporters to follow public health regulations and best practices for local disease outbreaks when out in the field, so you do not endanger yourself or the people you’re interviewing. If needed, you should include any health-related costs, such as tests or personal protective equipment, in your budget. We also encourage journalists to follow best practice on safeguarding physical and digital safety.
Language: Content can be produced in English or local languages, or both. We encourage applications in local languages and for local media outlets. However, for wider dissemination, a version with English subtitles should be provided. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.
Budget: When preparing the budget and submitting it with your application, please be aware that there is a budget ceiling of ₹2.75 lakh per application. All applicants are required to provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided. We ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for the costs necessary for reporting and production, such as travel, accommodation, editing, coloring, translation etc. Please also note on your budget if you are receiving additional funding from any other sources for the story.
Work samples: Share links to your previous video projects and describe all the roles you played in the production of that story—editor, producer, cameraperson, etc.
They expect that proposals will largely reflect what equipment the applicant already has access to or can rent (including cameras, drone, lighting, tripods, etc.) and will not consider budgets that require procuring new equipment.
They will consider a stipend component in the budget, particularly if the applicant is a freelancer. Please estimate the time you will need to produce this content and propose compensation you believe reflects a fair market rate. However, they ask that this comprises no more than 30% of the total budget.
Republication rights: Selected applicants should broadcast their content first in their affiliated media outlet as long as EJN and its partners are also given rights to share and distribute them freely.
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If you start the application and want to come back and complete it later, you can click 'Save Draft.' To return to the draft, you'll need to go back to the opportunity and click 'Apply now' again to finalize the application.
Applications should provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested, and a signed letter of support, explicitly stating that the outlet will broadcast the content produced as a result of this support. Applicants will also need to submit two samples of reports or links to relevant work.
Note: You'll be asked to upload these supporting documents once you start the application process, so please have them handy.
If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application or have questions about the grants, please email [email protected]. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity, as we will not receive it.
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