Opportunity

3CS Media Fellowship – Climate Journalism from Marginalised Communities

The 3CS Media Fellowship will support reportage on climate change in India, to understand how it affects people’s lives, in particular the lives of those who live at the margins of our society. If field reporters had adequate time and resources, what journalistic stories would they choose that could best help inform public debate on climate change? How does climate change affect the daily lives of the most disadvantaged? How will it impact the life, wellbeing, and livelihood of marginalised communities in the longer term?

The fellowship will directly support journalists from underserved communities to cover such stories. While we hope to cover multiple geographies in subsequent editions of the Media Fellowship, this specific inaugural module focuses on original reportage done for and by those in the climate change frontlines in peninsular India. Journalists reporting in English and any of the languages from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Union Territories of Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands can apply.

Fellowship Grant

The Fellowship will be awarded to 4 journalists. Adivasi and Dalit journalists will be prioritised.

The Fellowship grant is Rs. 4,00,000 per Fellow, following this schedule:

April 1 Rs 2,00,000 (on selection)
May 31 Submission of a progress report (with an expense sheet for institutional record)
September 1 Rs 1,00,000 (on submission of final story idea fine tuned post in situ travel)
November 1 Rs 1,00,000 (on submission and translation of final piece and accounts in full)

Fellowship period

April 1 – November 30 2022

Reportage period & story deadlines: April 1 – September 30 2022.
August 31 Submission of final version of story ideas (500 words)
September 30 Submission of final piece
Translation + Evaluation: October 1 – December 31 2022
October 1 – October 31 Translation
October 15 – November 15 Committee evaluation
Publication: Within 3 months from Committee evaluation

Application details

When to apply: February 1 – March 15 2022. Journalists can apply with a one page proposal for reportage.

What does the proposal require: Journalists can send their applications with the following documents to 3cs.mediafellowship@ashoka.edu.in with the subject ‘Application – 3CS Media Fellowship’.

  • A list of five story ideas for original climate change reportage with a clear mention of location, point of view of those whose voices are less heard. These can be series of stories with an in-depth look at many elements on the ground or be completely different story ideas. Eventually they can be 1000-word published pieces or 3-5 minute videos.
  • CV of the applicant with all coordinates and two samples of previously published work.
  • One ID proof.

Who can apply: Journalists from marginalised communities reporting from South India – Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Union Territories of Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Adivasi and Dalit journalists will be prioritised. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Who will be judging the entries: A three member core committee — with two representatives from media partners, and one member from the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability (3CS) —  will be the decision making body. This information will be shared transparently closer to the date.

Who will translate the stories once submitted: The Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability will provide support for translations.

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Who will publish the stories: The Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability will work with media partners to publish the stories once completed.


All queries regarding the fellowship may be directed to 3cs.mediafellowship@ashoka.edu.in.

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