If you are an underrepresented early-career journalist who is passionate about environmental concerns and wants to make a significant impact via storytelling. Applications for the Uproot Project 2025 Fellowship are currently open. This fellowship provides funds and support for seven journalists to conduct in-depth reporting on environmental concerns over the course of a year. Fellows will focus on stories about vital environmental issues such as environmental justice, climate solutions, water, food, culture, and science, with the goal of amplifying marginalized voices in the field. Details are provided in this article.
Program Summary
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Location: Flexible (projects can take place anywhere)
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Target Group: journalists in their early careers, such as independent contractors, fresh graduates, and scientists who have a keen interest in covering the environment and climate change.
- Focus areas include water, food, culture, science, environmental justice, and climate solutions.
- Background in Education: Not stated.
- Funding: Up to $2,000 to pay for reporting costs (such as travel, interpretation, and access to records).
- Time frame: one year.
- Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2025.
- Date of Start: Adaptable
Program Overview
In order to help early-career journalists create high-impact environmental journalism, the Uproot Project Fellowship offers financial support and editing guidance. Fellows are required to complete a project in one of the following four areas:
- Justice for the environment.
- Climate-related solutions.
- Food, culture, and water, or
- Science.
In terms of reporting medium, the fellowship is open to projects in writing, audio, video, photography, or a mix of these. Fellows are encouraged to investigate environmental stories on a local and global scale.
A six-month progress report and a final summary upon project completion are included in the fellowship. The project should concentrate on subjects that are either poorly covered or misinterpreted by the media, especially those that draw attention to the connection between social injustice and environmental problems.
Program Structure and Activities
- Selection: The caliber and applicability of the reporting proposals submitted by the seven fellows determine their selection.
- Reporting: In one of the four specified environmental categories, fellows will carry out in-depth study and reporting.
- Support: The Uproot Project will offer mentorship and editing support to fellows so they can submit their tales to a media source, if they so choose.
- Progress Reporting: A final experience summary is given after a mid-term check-in with a progress report.
Program Benefits
- Funding: Up to $2,000 to pay for travel, research, and data analysis costs associated with reporting.
- Editorial Support: Helping to improve the caliber of reporting and place stories with media outlets.
- Travel Allowance: Money set aside for travel costs necessary to finish the reporting job.
- Training: Chance to hone journalistic abilities in the subject of environmental and climate reporting.
- Community: Become part of a group of underrepresented reporters who are committed to delivering stories about the environment.
Journalists Categories
Applicants should be early-career journalists, which may include:
- Journalists new to covering climate and environmental issues.
- Independent contractors without experience working in a newsroom.
- Recent graduates in journalism.
- Scientists who want to contribute to media and have excellent writing abilities.
Eligibility Criteria
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Must be a member of The Uproot Project (free membership available).
- Applicants must suggest a project that is consistent with one of the four important environmental themes.
- Individuals from various geographic locations are eligible to apply for the fellowship.
- Belong to one of the categories listed above.
Application Procedure
The following must be submitted by applicants in order to be considered for the Uproot Project Fellowship:
1. A completed application form, including:
- The reporting project’s description and how it fits into one of the four categories
- An explanation of the project’s significance and how it will bring attention to a neglected environmental problem
- Project schedule and details on the suggested publication media outlet (if relevant)
- An intimate bond with the narrative or community (if any).
- Overview of the candidate’s previous environmental reporting experience.
- Expected financial requirements and fellowship fund utilization by the candidate.
2. Required documents:
- A recent CV in PDF format
- Suggested project budget (in Excel, PDF, or USD format).
️ Applications Deadline: March 1, 2025.
OFFICIAL LINK: The Uproot Project 2025 Fellowship
