APPLY NOW: The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) Howard G. Buffet Fund

About the Fund

The IWMF’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists is an incredible resource for talented reporters and will make a real difference in the field of journalism. Beginning in 2015, the IWMF will make an annual total of $230,000 worth of grants to support women journalists in their projects and endeavors. The fund is not limited in either the grant dollar amount or the number of grants awarded within the annual total. There will be up to four rounds of funding every year for ten years. The inaugural funding round will be open for online applications from March 2 – 23, 2015.

Eligibility

An applicant must be a woman journalist. If applicable, teams of journalists may apply, but the team leader must be a woman journalist and the group must include at least 50 percent women.

The fund was designed to help women journalists by providing grantees support to:

•    Expose under-reported but critical global issues
•    Undertake ambitious projects that challenge traditional media narratives
•    Develop field-based expertise and strengthen careers
•    Pursue training and leadership opportunities
•    Launch entrepreneurial news projects or acquire the skill to do so

A voting committee comprised of distinguished IWMF Board Members, Courage in Journalism Awardees, and IWMF supporters will select grantees. Applicants will be notified of the fund’s grant decisions approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the deadline for each funding round*. We will work with individual grants recipients to determine a disbursement of funds timeline that best suits the project.

2015 Fund Timeline

2015 Fund Timeline
Funding Round*	Application Open	Applicants Contacted	Funds Distributed
March	March 2 – 23, 2015	Funding decisions will be made 6 to 8 weeks after the close of the application	IWMF will work with grantees to distribute funds in a manner that best suits their project
June	Dates will be posted on IWMF website after the close of prior rounds
September
December

          

* The number of rounds per year depends on the amount of funding dispersed in prior rounds.

Applying for a Grant

Applicants must be prepared to provide the following information (in English):

1. Contact Information
2. Brief description of the project or opportunity you are seeking funding for
3. If applicable, a list of any other team members or applicants
4. Description of the purpose of the proposal and the issue/problem it is designed to address
5. Estimated budget and time frame
6. Two (2) letters of recommendation

Additional Application Information

•    Each applicant creates a username and password through the online application system. The system allows applicants to log-in and save work before creating a final submission.
•    Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online system. IWMF will not be able to accept recommendation letters through email or traditional mail. Applicants will be provided and online link to share with recommenders to facilitate letter submission.
•    Applicants receive a confirmation e-mail once a completed grant proposal has been submitted.
•    Applicants and grantees retain their intellectual property rights throughout their relationship with the IWMF.

Grant Recipients

•    Grantees are notified by the IWMF staff no later than 8 weeks after the close of the application process.
•    In order to accept the funds, grantees must countersign a grant agreement letter that details the project, budget, and timeline.
•    Grantees are required to report back to the IWMF periodically and will work with an IWMF Program Officer to determine a succinct method of grant reporting. Our intention is that grant reporting is not time consuming for recipients.

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