The Biodiversity Media Grants 2026, offered by the Earth Journalism Network (EJN), are now inviting applications from eligible media organizations across low- and middle-income countries. As biodiversity loss accelerates at an unprecedented rate, this grant program aims to strengthen the quality and quantity of reporting that can reshape public understanding and support urgent conservation action.
About the Earth Journalism Network
Founded in 2004, the Earth Journalism Network has grown into one of the world’s largest alliances of environmental reporters and media platforms. With misinformation rising and newsroom budgets shrinking, journalists often lack the resources to conduct in-depth investigations into biodiversity, conservation, and climate change. EJN addresses this gap by supporting evidence-driven reporting, capacity building, and global peer learning. The Biodiversity Media Grants form a crucial pillar of this mission.
Why These Grants Matter
The latest global biodiversity assessments reveal a troubling reality: trillions are still being invested in activities that harm nature, while only a fraction supports conservation. This imbalance threatens ecosystems and future generations, affecting everything from food security and public health to economies and cultural heritage. Despite the severity of the crisis, biodiversity issues remain underreported and misunderstood.
Recognizing this gap, the Biodiversity Media Initiative funds projects that deepen public knowledge, amplify local voices, and build journalistic expertise. With grants ranging from EUR 10,000 to 12,000, selected organizations will be empowered to produce compelling stories and strengthen the media’s ability to cover biodiversity issues with accuracy, nuance, and urgency.
What the Grant Supports
EJN will fund three to four organizations whose project proposals demonstrate strong public value and journalistic rigor. Successful projects may include:
- Investigative or data-led reporting that unpacks biodiversity threats and highlights solutions.
- Cross-border collaborations connecting journalists across regions.
- Training programs, workshops, or field reporting trips aimed at strengthening biodiversity reporting skills.
- Tools and platforms such as mapping resources, fact-checking systems, and e-learning modules to support environmental storytelling.
- Networks and coalitions of reporters committed to biodiversity coverage.
Projects must primarily target audiences in low- and middle-income countries, where biodiversity loss is often most severe and where quality reporting can spark community-driven change.
Priority Themes for 2026
In this round, EJN is especially interested in proposals focusing on:
- OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures), particularly those linked to global “30×30” targets.
- Business impacts on nature, including supply-chain footprints and dependencies.
- Collaborative conservation approaches involving communities, governments, or private actors.
- Nature-based solutions that link biodiversity with health, climate resilience, or food security.
- Unintended harms of conservation measures where local livelihoods or rights may be affected.
- Biodiversity–health interconnections, such as zoonotic risks or ecosystem-based health benefits.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include journalist networks, media outlets, civil society organizations, and academic institutions based in low- or middle-income countries. EJN particularly encourages applications from biodiversity-rich regions or places experiencing rapid ecological decline.
To be considered, applicants must:
- Propose projects with significant biodiversity impact.
- Submit applications in English.
- Demonstrate journalistic expertise or strong partnerships with media professionals.
- Avoid advocacy-only or politically motivated proposals.
- Disclose any use of generative AI tools in preparing the application.
Previous EJN grantees may apply, although recent grantees from 2024 will not be funded again.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by 28 March 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Why You Should Apply
At a time when biodiversity is under unprecedented pressure, strong journalism is essential to inform the public, influence policy, and support community-led solutions. This grant empowers media organizations to investigate urgent issues, amplify local knowledge, and shape conversations that matter for future generations.
If your organization is committed to high-impact storytelling and wants to contribute to global biodiversity awareness, the Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 offer a valuable opportunity to make a difference.
Application can be accessed from here.
To know more about such opportunities, click here.