Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant (up to $12,000)
Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant for African Stories
The Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant by Jamma Conservation & Communities supports the creation of powerful stories that explore conservation through a human-centred perspective in African contexts. The grant aims to fund experienced storytellers capable of producing high-quality, publishable work that highlights the relationship between people, communities, and conservation landscapes.
This opportunity is designed for professionals who can independently produce stories that meet strong editorial standards and have a clear pathway to publication or broadcast.
Writers interested in strengthening their workflow while developing story ideas may find helpful guidance in this article on effective ways to increase your productivity as a writer. For those exploring income opportunities through storytelling, this guide on how to make money from writing can also be useful.
Eligibility Requirements for the Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant
Applications are open to experienced storytellers worldwide, including:
- Journalists
- Writers
- Filmmakers
- Photographers
- Audio producers
- Multimedia storytellers
To qualify, applicants must:
- Have professional experience in one or more storytelling fields
- Demonstrate prior publication or broadcast experience, or operate an established independent channel with a recognised audience
- Present a clear publication or broadcast pathway for the proposed story
- Propose a story focused on African communities, contexts, or landscapes
- Submit at least three examples of previous work
- Provide a proposed budget of USD 12,000 or less
Only applications that meet all eligibility criteria will be considered.
Funding Structure
Applicants can request funding under one of three tiers:
- Tier 1: Up to $5,000
- Tier 2: Up to $8,000
- Tier 3: Up to $12,000
Budgets do not need to reach the maximum amount in each tier, but they must clearly align with the project’s scope and demonstrate reasonable production costs.
What the Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant Covers
Funding can support costs directly related to the development and production of a specific story, including:
- Professional fees
- Travel and field reporting expenses
- Local logistics
- Research and translation
- Production and post-production work
The grant may support new projects or the continuation of stories already underway, provided that funding is used for clearly defined future work.
However, the grant does not cover:
- Costs already incurred before the grant
- Capital equipment purchases
- Marketing or promotional expenses
- Organisational overhead costs unrelated to the story
Project Timeline
Funded stories must be completed and published or broadcast by the end of October 2026. Applicants are expected to submit a realistic production timeline that fits within this schedule.
Application and Selection Process
Applications must be submitted through the official online application platform before the stated deadline.
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Eligibility and completeness of the application
- Clarity and quality of the story proposal
- Alignment with the principles of human-centred conservation
- Demonstrated professional experience
- Feasibility of the proposed budget and timeline
Applicants may submit more than one proposal, but each must be a separate application focused on a different story.
Payment and Grant Agreement
Successful applicants will receive grant payments in United States Dollars (USD) and must have access to a bank account capable of receiving international transfers.
Recipients will also be required to sign a formal grant agreement, outlining project deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and responsibilities.
Intellectual Property
Storytellers will retain ownership of their work. However, grant recipients must grant Jamma Conservation & Communities a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to republish or share the funded story for non-commercial purposes, with proper credit given to the creator and the original publisher.
