IWMF offers grants for women's stories [Worldwide]

Women journalists with three or more years of professional experience can apply for reporting grants.

The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), with support from The Secular Society, is offering Reporting Grants For Women’s Stories.

The initiative aims to promote reporting on untold stories surrounding issues that impact women and girls’ daily lives worldwide.

Grants, averaging US$5,000, may cover reporting-related costs including travel (flights, ground transportation, drivers), logistics, visa fees and payment for fixers/translators.

The deadline is May 16.

For more information, click here.

Jacana Media hosts pitch session [South Africa]

Aspiring writers are invited to pitch their manuscripts for a chance of publication.

Jacana Media is selecting 20 candidates who will present at the Live Pitching Session on Aug. 4 in Johannesburg.

Participants will pitch their book to a panel comprising a media representative, three publishers and a bookseller.

Possible genres include lifestyle, children's, fiction, politics/current affairs/history, memoir/biography/autobiography, natural history/travel, cooking/baking, business and self-help.

The deadline is July 14.

For more information, click here.

UNAOC Fellowship Program open [Europe, MENA, North America]

Professionals with the potential to shape opinion and engage their communities can apply for this exchange program.

The UNAOC Fellowship Program is accepting applications from individuals in Europe and North America (EUNA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The program, which aims at fostering intercultural exchange, will focus on the role of civil society and the media in combatting hatred and fostering inclusion.

During two weeks in October and November, the EUNA cohort and the MENA cohort will visit each other’s region and interact with a wide range of local actors and partners. 

Candidates must be born between Jan. 1, 1982 and Dec. 31, 1992 and should be fluent in English.

The deadline to apply is May 21.

For more information, click here.

Competition seeks innovative journalism projects [Europe]

Media entrepreneurs in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland can apply.

The Next Journalism Award, organized by the Centre de Formation des Journalistes in Paris in partnership with the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, seeks innovative media projects that aim to transform journalism.

The contest will evaluate the projects on its impact on the creation and dissemination of journalism; new approaches to storytelling; new ways of reporting; new audiences; new players; innovation and technology; the benefit provided to the reader/buyer/viewer; feasibility; potential for growth and evolution; and potential for being applied across other European countries.

The winner will present his or her project during a three-day visit at Harvard University and at Centre de Formation des Journalistes in Paris, where the media entrepreneur will test and pitch his or her ideas to top-level journalists and media executives. 

The deadline is July 17.

For more information, click here.

Future of Storytelling summit hosts contest [Worldwide]

Interactive stories, including web-based work, data-driven art, mobile apps, games, multimedia installations, virtual reality and other multiplatform projects are eligible for a prize.

The Future of Storytelling summit (FoST) is accepting entries for the FoST Prize. The event, which will take place Oct. 4 and 5 in New York, brings together top executives, creative talent and technologists with the vision and influence to change the way that stories will be told tomorrow and beyond.  

Entries must have been completed on or after Oct. 1, 2016. Non-English works must include English subtitles.

The winner will receive US$5,000, in addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to New York and a complimentary ticket to FoST. 

The deadline is July 7. The application fee is US$30.

For more information, click here.