Scoop Foundation for Public Interest Journalism
Earthquake Journalism Grants 2017
Call for Submissions
The Scoop Foundation invites proposals from freelance journalists for significant Earthquake related Public Interest
investigative journalism projects to be delivered in the first half of 2017.
The funding pool of $5000 will be allocated to either two or three projects as selected by the Scoop Foundation
Editorial Panel comprising a number of experienced journalists.
This funding round has been fast-tracked in order to respond constructively to the recent tragic circumstances and
continues the work of the Scoop Foundation in supporting public interest journalism.
Terms of Reference
Earthquakes can have devastating financial and social impacts on our cities and the nation.
Unfortunately, the chaos they bring can also lead to reduced scrutiny of and a lack of democratic input into decisions
affecting the interests of ordinary citizens. For this reason we believe robust investigative reporting on the quality
of public decision making around reconstruction and crisis management is highly important.
Proposed projects should focus on issues around earthquakes in New Zealand and particularly on issues of public policy,
decision-making and post-earthquake reconstruction from a public interest perspective.
The output of the project should be a feature length piece of investigative journalism/reporting of at least 1500 words.
Projects will preferably plan to deliver content in multimedia formats such as audio/video recordings, photojournalism
or data journalism. Applications from teams of more than one journalist/photographer/data journalist will be considered.
Projects should be deliverable for within $1,000 - $3,000. Please give an indication of how much compensation will be
required to deliver your proposed project. We are happy to consider co-funding a more extensive project if you have
another funder willing to contribute.
All articles will be published on Scoop.co.nz, but we are happy to co-publish with other New Zealand media outlets if
that can be co-ordinated.
Submissions
Please present a brief project outline indicating the nature and scope of your proposed project. Please indicate:
• A brief bio outlining your experience as a journalist (2 pgphs)
• Proposed topic
• Estimated length
• Formats planned
• Estimated delivery date
• Any confirmed or potential publishing forums
• How your project amounts to ‘public interest journalism’
• Any assistance or support needed from editorial panel
Submissions will be assessed by the Scoop Foundation Editorial Panel.
Successful applicants will be notified and allocations made in January 2017.
Deadline for submissions: 16 December 2016
Feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss your proposal
Contact: Joe Cederwall joe@scoop.co.nz