The 2025 Doc Society Climate Story Fund (up to $125,000 in funding)

Applications are now being accepted for the Doc Society Climate Story Fund 2025. The Fund encourages compelling independent narratives that envisage a fair transition and motivate climate action. The fund supports impact pilots for finished fiction and nonfiction works and nonfiction projects in production, with grants of up to $125,000 available.

The organizer thinks that the solution to the climate catastrophe lies in culture. They require a variety of tales, not just one, stories that inspire a fair, sustainable future, spark change, and connect, entertain, and elevate voices that are frequently left out of the climate discourse.

Doc Society Climate Story Fund has given more than $4 million to more than 50 initiatives that promote biodiversity and climate justice since 2021. Grantees reach viewers through digital platforms (Spotify, YouTube, WhatsApp), broadcasters (BBC, POV), and streamers (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) throughout Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. In line with their effect objectives, all projects have secured or are in the process of acquiring distribution agreements.

Details

Application Deadline: March 10, 2025, at 7:00 AM Pacific Time
Unfinished Cuts Last day: June 20, 2025
Webinar for information: February 26, 2025
Interviews via Zoom: July 14–16, 2025
Notification of Selected Grantees: July 25, 2025
Notification of Unsuccessful Candidates: August 1, 2025
Virtual Impact Lab: August 8–9 and September 17–18, 2025
Supplied by the Doc Society
Establishment: Up to $125,000
Type: Award Number; Possibilities: 6–8
Countries Eligible: International

Benefits of Doc Society Climate Story Fund

The grants awarded will be between $50,000 and $125,000 USD.

Eligibility Criteria

Your project must meet the following criteria to be considered:

Project Requirements

It must be climate-themed with clear impact goals and a plan for expansion.
Long-form, short, episodic, animated, podcast, and radio documentaries are among the genres that qualify.
It needs to be either a finished nonfiction/fiction project with an impact pilot or a nonfiction project in late production.
In addition to having complete creative, financial, and editorial authority, the creator must be the copyright holder.
Projects run by nonprofit organizations, broadcasters, colleges, or foundations are not eligible.
Funding for production: After receiving the grant, the production must be finished within a year.
Impact funding: Within a year after being awarded the money, an impact pilot must be put into action.
At least one active funder must have provided financial support.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must meet these requirements:

18 years of age or older is required.
Applicants from all over the world are welcome.
There is no need for fiscal sponsorship or nonprofit registration.
Applicants may be Impact Producers, Lead Creatives, Producers, or Directors.

Criteria for Evaluation

Despite the subjectivity of grantee selection, the selection committee employs a fair and deliberate procedure. They look for projects that demonstrate artistic brilliance, gripping narratives, and responsibility to the communities they represent.

The following are important considerations:

Climate Themes: Does the narrative touch on topics such as racial equity, Indigenous knowledge, migration, technology, and more in relation to climate change? Does it encompass a range of emotions, such as laughter or optimism, and question conventional narratives?
Appealing Storytelling: Is the goal distinct and unambiguous?
Engagement of the Audience: Is it possible for the story to transcend climate activists and experts?
Community Responsibility: Does the candidate narrate stories in an ethical manner, especially when depicting communities they do not belong to?
Production and Impact Readiness:
- 1. Impact and Production Grant: Is the team able to finish the production in a year?
  2. Impact Grant: With a well-defined strategy and established alliances, is the project prepared for an impact pilot?

How to Apply The Doc Society Climate Story Fund?

To apply, follow these instructions:

The Doc Society applications portal, which may be accessed by clicking the link below, is where applications must be filed online.
Every query needs to have a comprehensive response that covers every aspect.
Include a work sample that lasts no more than ten minutes. If it’s longer, indicate which ten minutes need to be reviewed.
English subtitles are required for non-English samples.
Changes to the sample materials are not permitted during the review phase.
Submissions of budgets must be made in USD.
At least two important team members—one from impact and one from production—must agree to participate in the virtual Impact Lab if they are chosen.