10 Tips for Grant Writing for Journalists

Applying for grants and fellowships is more than a challenging task. It is a process. Proposals require many parts - budgets, narratives, contact information, just to mention a few.

In a time where grants are becoming an increasingly fundamental source of money for newsrooms, journalists and media professionals need to learn the specifics of grant writing. Because, above all, grant writing feels like a genre itself. It has its own rules and structure and a distinctive language. But it’s a skill that can be learned.

Here, we give you 10 tips to overcome the fear of a blank application form.

1. Read the terms and conditions

Let’s start at the beginning. You’ve seen a new program or initiative calling for applications. Great! That means there’s an opportunity you can seize. But the very first step is to read the terms and conditions of the program. In that section, you’ll find out if you are in fact eligible for the grant and this will help avoid mistakes in the process. This kind of document also sets expectations about the program, such as the goal established by the organization that is giving the grant or the application period. Read it carefully and make notes (mental or on paper, whatever works best for you).

2. Read the selection criteria

Now that you know you’re eligible for the grant and what to expect of it, the second most important step is reading the selection criteria. This will give you an insight into what the grantor is expecting to receive as part of the applications. Is there anything being considered as a preference? Then make a note of that, because if that applies to you, you’ll probably need that for your submission. The selection criteria explain what factors the grantor or the evaluator will consider when reading your application, so make sure that your submission includes as many of those items as possible.

3. Have a clear understanding of the goal of the program

This aspect is crucial. If you understand what the organization that provides a grant is looking to achieve with the program, then it will be much easier for you to present a project that aligns with that goal. Is it a grant focused on media innovation? Then make sure your proposal is related to that. Is it a grant for digital transformation and your organization wants to upgrade its tech infrastructure? That’s a match made in heaven.

4. Plan your application

Grant writing is not something you do one afternoon fueled by a cup of coffee. It takes time to prepare a proposal. Take time to read the application form and make a list of all the things you’ll need to send and start planning your submission. Don’t take any shortcuts. Some fields might be optional, but don’t underestimate them. It’s always better to provide all the information necessary to give the evaluator the most complete idea of your project.

5. Be specific

A vague proposal is probably the most common mistake people make when applying for a grant or a fellowship. Moreover, many proposals state too many goals and lack focus. Think that evaluators are reading hundreds of applications just like yours. You want your proposal to stand out and the only way that can happen is providing a clear idea of what you want to do. Pick only one or a few goals and make them very concrete.

If you’re applying to a reporting grant, saying you want to cover poverty is not enough. A grantor would like to know something more specific. Poverty where? Who does it affect? Why is your idea relevant? Give the unique details only your project has.

If you want to be part of an accelerator, what’s the project you would like to develop? Don’t just say “implementing a subscription model,” but instead provide an idea of the need for that model and how it would fit in your organization’s strategy. Grant writing is, in the end, an argumentative format. So make your case.

6. Tell your story

Even when grant writing has its own structure and style, it’s still about storytelling. And as a journalist, you should keep that in mind. Think about the way you would pitch this to an editor. What do you want to do with the grant? How are you planning to do it? Why are you the most suitable person for the project? (Or the most appropriate organization to do it, if this is for a newsroom.) Let people know why you’re special.

7. Have a budget

Most of the grants ask for a budget and there is a very good reason for that. A budget shows that, even if you don’t know exactly how things will turn out, you are prepared to take on this project. You know roughly how much everything will cost. For evaluators, this is an indication that you have this planned.

8. Show you can achieve your goals

This is one of the most important concepts. Your proposal should always have some sort of key performance indicators (KPI). This will show that you have given it some thought and your idea hasn’t come out of the blue. In this step, you should tell the grantor a few things.

First, tell what you consider as a success for your proposal. KPIs are a way to measure that success. But those KPIs must be related to the nature of your idea. For example, if you want to launch a podcast, it wouldn’t make sense to measure success by the daily circulation of your newspaper. The right approach would take into consideration metrics related to podcasts. Do you want to be the number 1 podcast on a list? Do you want to have a specific amount of downloads every month? Put that in your application.

9. Anticipate your impact

The effects of an initiative can be measured in many ways. Sometimes you will watch your metrics and see that your project helped your organization increase its reach. You might see new subscribers thanks to a project that your audience loved.

When we talk about grants, the ultimate outcome is impact. This can be defined as a positive change in the world enabled by the grant funds. When you’re writing a grant application, you should always show that you anticipate what kind of impact your project will have. To do that, try to answer these questions: How can you make a difference in your community with your project? Who will benefit from it and how?

10. Don’t quit

If you’ve been rejected from grant programs before, you know that it can be a discouraging experience. But now you can learn from your mistakes and prepare better for the next opportunity! It takes practice. And don’t be shy! If you have any questions about the program you want to apply to, just ask the people working on it. They will be happy to help you and provide orientation. After all, they’re doing this for you.