CFAs: Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism (Australia)

Objectives

• The grant aims to provide:
  • an incentive for more reporting of Pacific issues by the Australian media in all formats
  • increased opportunities for Australian journalists who cover the Pacific to develop more detailed stories on the region
  • support for Australian journalists and media outlets who want to embark on Pacific journalism for the first time
  • greater exposure and publicity for journalism that brings the stories of the Pacific islands region to Australian audiences.

Funding Information

• The $10,000 grant will be paid in three installments: $5000 on receipt of a signed MOU agreement, $3000 on receipt of initial receipts demonstrating that grant spend is underway, and $2000 on publication.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents with working rights in Australia.
• If you are an Australian living abroad, you are eligible to apply. Preference in these situations will be given to applications from Australians residing in the Pacific.
• The grant is open to journalists from all sectors, backgrounds and experience levels.
• The grant is open to applications by both freelancers and reporters employed by media organisations.
• Academics, public intellectuals and former journalists working in Pacific-related fields are also eligible to apply. These applicants must have a strong track record in the media as an independent voice or reporter and be able to submit examples of published work.
• Each applicant may apply only once per year.
• Group applications may include up to three names, with one person nominated as the primary contact.

Judging Criteria

• The judges are looking for original journalism with public interest value and impact. The work gives voice to Pacific island perspectives on an under-reported issue or development of importance to Australia and the region:
  • Essential:
    • The story proposal must focus on an under-reported issue or development that relates to one or more Pacific island countries. (For the purposes of this grant, the Pacific islands region comprises all states and territories that would ordinarily be considered to be in Melanesia, Micronesia or Polynesia. A project which focuses solely on New Zealand will not qualify; however a project which focuses on New Zealand in addition to somewhere else in the region will be considered).
    • The story proposal must display originality and timeliness.
    • The proposal should explain the potential impact and newsworthiness of this story for Australian audiences. Why is it important that they know about this topic?
    • The story proposal and all accompanying documents and examples of past work must satisfy the judges that the applicant is able to produce high-quality and accurate journalism, conduct necessary research, apply investigation skills, ensure source attribution, adhere to journalistic ethics and be able to deliver the finished work by the 30 June 2026 deadline.
    • The story proposal must be accompanied by a written undertaking from a publisher or media outlet to publish the finished work, to make it publicly accessible to an Australian audience, and to incorporate Walkley Public Fund branding in the finished work.
  • Highly Desirable:
    • The judges will give preference to proposals that include a plan to work in collaboration with Pacific island journalists or media organisations.
    • The judges will give preference to proposals that demonstrate innovation and creativity in storytelling including through the best use of formats for the project, including multimedia.

Application Requirements

• A 300-word description of your story idea, proposed angle, and why this story and proposed angle are important to Australian audiences.
• A 200-word statement explaining how your story responds to the Judging Criteria, including how you might work with local content producers.
• A description of where you plan to publish your story, including the proposed outlet/s, platforms, and programs.
• A letter of commitment from a publisher and/or broadcaster, agreeing to publish the finished work and to use a supplied Walkley Public Fund branding toolkit to brand the finished work.
• A 100-word statement explaining why you are the best person to tell this story.
• A completed budget template explaining how the $10,000 will be spent.
• Three examples of your best published work.
• A 100-word description of the kind of guidance and support you would hope to receive from a mentor.
• A 50-word biography and a photo of yourself suitable for publication.

For more information, visit The Walkley Foundation.