Michael Gordon Fellowship Program for Social Justice Journalism (Australia)

The panel will look to support proposals that highlight inequity and injustice with insight, fairness and compassion – and champion those who work to achieve social justice. It will favour projects that demonstrate originality and potential impact.

Supporters of the program include the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, Nine Entertainment, the National Press Club of Australia, and Robyn Carter.

What will the funding cover?

• The grants contribute to costs incurred in researching, producing and publishing social justice journalism by Australians working in Australia or on assignment overseas. This includes such items as transport, accommodation, research assistance and other related costs.
• Freelance applicants may also seek a daily allowance of $200 towards their labour during the period of research, travel and publishing.
• The maximum individual grant is $10,000 but, in exceptional circumstances, a larger grant may be agreed at the discretion of the selection panel. Typically, successful applicants receive grants in the range of $4,000 and $7,000.
• Up to two people can travel on one grant (for example, a journalist and a videographer).
• Fellows will need to be self-reliant. All arrangements, including transport, accommodation, visas and travel insurance will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Who can apply?

• Australian journalists, photographers and videographers working in print, broadcast and digital media, freelance journalists and accomplished journalism students are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must demonstrate an established track record in the media or have their skills vouched for by recognised professionals.
• The grants are intended to enable the creation of content for established media outlets, including newer digital outlets, and cannot be used to fund academic research or for a personal blog.
• Fellows will need to demonstrate how they will achieve their research project outcome pending any travel restrictions and border closures.

Publication

• Fellows hold copyright over their work but the Melbourne Press Club reserves the right to republish or re-broadcast any of the content for the purposes of promoting the fellowship program.
• Applicants will need to provide a written confirmation of support that an established media outlet intends to publish their work.
• It is expected that the content created with the support of a grant will be published/broadcast within three months of the funding being provided unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• The support provided by the fellowship program must be acknowledged clearly by the publisher or broadcaster of the work.
• Fellows may also be requested to speak about their work at an MPC event.

For more information, visit Melbourne Press Club.