Applications are now open for the Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant, an opportunity supporting experienced storytellers to develop high-quality, publishable stories that examine conservation through the experiences and realities of people across Africa.

The grant is designed for storytellers who can go beyond conventional wildlife and conservation narratives to explore how conservation interacts with communities, livelihoods, rights, governance, economies, culture and everyday life. Supported stories should offer depth and context, showing the complex relationship between people, natural resources and conservation rather than presenting conservation as either an uncomplicated success or failure.

Applicants are encouraged to propose original stories that explore issues such as community livelihoods, wildlife coexistence, land use, governance, resource access, food systems, energy, health, climate adaptation and other areas where conservation intersects with people’s lives. Proposals may highlight successful human-centred approaches, examine where they have fallen short, or explore the tensions, trade-offs and unintended consequences that emerge in real-world conservation efforts. Stories of resilience, innovation and hope are welcome alongside reporting that examines difficult or contradictory realities.

The opportunity is intended for experienced storytellers who already work to professional editorial standards and have the skills, access and experience required to produce work suitable for publication or broadcast. The grant is not intended for promotional or advocacy material, generic wildlife stories lacking a strong human dimension, organisational marketing content, or proposals that would require extensive editorial development or technical capacity-building before they become publishable.

Three funding levels are available. Tier 1 provides up to USD 5,000, Tier 2 provides up to USD 8,000, while Tier 3 provides up to USD 12,000. Applicants do not have to request the maximum amount available under their selected tier, and proposed budgets will be assessed based on whether they are realistic and appropriate for the proposed story.

A key requirement is that applicants must already have a credible route for their completed story to reach an audience. Applicants must either have a confirmed commitment from an established media organisation, broadcaster or distribution platform; have publishing or commissioning authority within the outlet or platform that will distribute the work; or plan to publish through their own established independent platform with an existing audience. Evidence of the proposed publication, broadcast or distribution pathway will be required.

Applications will include a short story pitch, examples of previous work, evidence supporting the proposed publication or distribution pathway, and a summary budget corresponding to the selected funding tier. Applications will be assessed on the strength and clarity of the proposed story, its alignment with human-centred conservation principles, the applicant’s professional experience and readiness to deliver publishable work, and the feasibility of the proposed budget.

The Human-Centred Conservation Storytelling Grant is particularly suited to journalists, writers, filmmakers, photographers and other experienced storytellers with a strong track record and an existing platform or media pathway for publishing conservation-related work.

The application period opened on 1 September 2026, and the deadline to apply is 29 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT. This is a competitive grant, and meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.

Scroll down for more information and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity