Getty Images Instagram Grant

At Getty Images, we believe that images have the power to move the world, and that photography is a compelling tool for telling social, political and cultural stories. That is why we are proud to announce, in collaboration with Instagram, the inaugural Getty Images Instagram Grant.
The purpose of this grant is to support photographers using Instagram to document stories from underrepresented communities around the world. We recognize that Instagram has introduced new opportunities for emerging voices, outside the mainstream media, to create and share projects of social importance. This grant provides financial support and mentorship to amplify their impact.
A total of three grants of $10,000 each will be awarded. Winners will not only receive a cash grant, they will also have the opportunity for mentorship with an award-winning Getty Images photographers.

How to enter

Entrants must apply using our online application system found here http://grants.gettyimages.com/instagram. Applicants will be judged on the existing body of work represented on their Instagram account, focusing first and foremost on the quality of their imagery, visual storytelling and on the project and stories told through their photos. Entrants must also submit a biography, brief description of their approach, style, and the stories they have covered.

Nominations

People may also encourage photographers they follow or know who fit the criteria of the grant using the hashtag #GettyImagesInstagramGrant, but all entrants are required to fill out the online application to be considered by the judges.
Follow deatails Here.

APPLY NOW: Knight-VICE Innovators Fund to Support Journalists

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and VICE News have teamed up with the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism to create a US$500,000 fund to support innovation in journalism. The partnership will encourage journalists to adopt new forms of storytelling, create new tools and curricula, and take the tools of journalism to new places and to the next generation of news consumers.

The fund is seeking applicants pitching specific projects with clear goals and deliverables, that have the potential to create a substantial impact that serve a global, connected audience. 

Projects may encompass everything from investigative techniques to new presentation styles, to new tools for storytelling.

The goal is to give the awardees a transformative experience, and to use the resources of VICE News and the CUNY Journalism School to support the development and distribution of their projects. Finalists will spend three days a week with VICE News staff, and two days a week at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism for a period of up to three months.

Deadline for the first round of applications is June 1st.

Applicants will be notified of their status no later than July 1st.

Find details Here.

AEP Fix Lenses on Burundi Legislative and Presidential Elections

Committed to providing independent and reliable information through an impartial coverage of major elections activities across Africa using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs),  the African Elections Project (AEP) www.africanelections.org will mount its credible lenses on activities in Burundi which goes to the polls on 2^nd and 26^th June for their legislative/Parliamentary and Presidential elections respectively.

Preparations for the elections in the East African country has been characterised by major disagreements, especially that bordering on incumbent President and candidate for the ruling CNDD-FDD party, Pierre Nkurunziza’s eligibility to run for a 3^rd term; a bid widely frowned upon by the country’s constitution yet controversially endorsed by its Constitutional court, sparking days of fierce clashes with police in the capital, Bujumbura, and a failed coup attempt. This has resulted in the postponement of the elections which was originally slated for May 26^th, 2015 on the recommendation of the electoral commission and following requests from the opposition and the International community.

According to Projects Director at Penplusbytes, Jerry Sam, “the role of the African media in projecting the continent’s successes to the rest of the world begins by a show of commitment to shunning sensationalism and devoting to accurate, impartial reportage during elections as a way to shaping Africa’s democracy.” Describing the Burundi elections as yet another test case for Africa, he said it represents a crucial crossroad on Africa’s path to building working democratic societies and one of the latest tests of the continent’s resolve to chart a course of free and fair elections as a show of commitment to sustainable development.

The AEP, flagship project of Penplusbytes (www.penplusbytes.org) was established in 2008, crafting a fine repertoire of empowering journalists and other stakeholders to effectively cover elections using ICTs across the continent. This has resulted in training senior journalists and covering elections in countries such as Namibia, Ghana, Mauritania, Mozambique, Malawi and Togo. The rest are Guinea, Liberia, Botswana Cote d'Ivoire and Niger; contributing to the free, transparent and general credibility of polls.

The AEP’s website www.africanelections.org/, AEP blog and social media platforms via Twitter and Facebook are dedicated to keeping followers informed on happenings on the elections front across Africa. 

ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa, established in 2001 and working in 3 areas: the use of technology to drive governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining.

African Elections Project (AEP) is coordinated by International Institute for ICT Journalism covering elections across the continent and serving as an Elections Information and Knowledge online portal.

ENTER NOW: ONA 2015 Online Journalism Awards

The Online News Association (ONA) is accepting entries for the 2015 Online Journalism Awards recognizing excellence in digital reporting.


This year, ONA is debuting three new categories: the James Foley Award for Conflict Reporting, sports journalism and "Pro-Am," which will recognize work done by students in an academic environment who collaborate with or receive compensation or support from a professional media outlet.

Other award categories include: breaking news, planned news/events, explanatory reporting, topical reporting, online commentary, feature, student projects, visual digital storytelling, technical innovation, innovative investigative journalism, public service and general excellence in online journalism.

Of the 37 awards, 10 offer a total of US$60,000 in prize money, including US$15,000 for two awards for investigative data journalism.

Awards will be given in September at the Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet in Los Angeles. The OJAs, launched in 2000, are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism. You can view a list of the 2014 winners here.

Entries must have published between June 16, 2014 and May 15, 2015. Works may be submitted in any language, however English translations are strongly recommended.

The deadline is May 29. The entry fee is US$100 for ONA members, US$175 for non-members, US$15 for student members and US$50 for student non-members.

Online journalists, digital news organizations and students worldwide can apply for an award.
For more information, click here.