Call for Proposals: CCIJ Africa Water Reporting Grant

The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism is looking to support two water-related stories that bring together data, visual, and investigative elements.

We would prefer applications from the following countries but will also consider pitches from other African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote de Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo, and Zambia.

Your budget should cover all the costs related to the story, including fees for team members, travel, and any other related costs. We will pay 60 percent of the fee up front on the signing of a contract. The balance will be paid only once the story is edited and ready for publication.

Application requirements

We have a total of $2,100 allocated for each of the stories we commission. To apply please submit the following materials:

1. A pitch that identifies the people applying for the grant and their countries, the outlet where they work, or where they plan to publish if they are freelancers.
   
   The pitch must also contain the following elements:
   
   • a one-paragraph description of the story;
     
   • an explanation of what has already been done by other outlets and how this story has the potential to break new ground;
     
   • a description of the minimum and maximum story and the impact each could have;
     
   • a reporting plan that says why your team is the right one for the project; and a publishing plan.
     
   • The pitch should contain a visual storytelling plan for stills or video or both, and how this story will come to life through visuals that take the readers in new directions. (The plan must include the name(s) of the visual team member/s and portfolio samples, or a link to samples. If there is no visual plan provided or one that does not meet CCIJ standards, we will assist in finding a person that can fulfill the visual storytelling possibilities of the story;
     
   • The pitch must also identify at least one water dataset that you will analyze to identify a core part of the story.
     
   • You can draw on the datasets OpenUp has already assembled (see link below) or a dataset that you have chosen. CCIJ will assist with data support and with a data person for your team if you are unable to source a competent person locally.
     
     Click here to download the datasets.
     
     The file contains data on access to drinking water, health facilities with access to water, schools with access to water of various quality, childhood mortality, and usage of oral rehydration salts and zinc sulphate (used to treat diarrhea which is often caused by dirty water). It also has data on water for handwashing, water sources free of faecal and chemicals.
     
     Please contact CCIJ’s data editor Adi Eyal at adi@openup.org.za if you have any questions.
     
2. A letter of commitment to publish from at least one credible news outlet in the country where the story is based.
   
3. Two work samples and contact information for a professional reference.
   
4. A detailed budget not exceeding $2,100 that includes fees for your team members and any travel, accommodation, etc.

Important Dates

Friday, December 18, 2020
Proposals should be sent to Jeff Kelly Lowenstein at jk.lowenstein@ccij.io. Please send the materials in a single email.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021
The jury will decide the winners. Winners will be notified and the initial tranche of money released after that.

Sunday, February 28, 2021
The work must be completed and publication must take place on or before this date.

Grant recipients will be required to keep in active communication with their editors and will have the opportunity both to write a blog post about their experience and to appear on CCIJ’s Waterless podcast.