In our quest to advance innovative reporting approaches for better coverage of agricultural biotechnology issues in Africa and support evidence-based policies on agricultural biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are pleased to announce the 2020/2021 OFAB Africa Journalism Grant.
GOAL
The goal of the 2020/2021 OFAB Africa Journalism Grant, administered by OFAB Africa, is to advance innovative reporting approaches that enable better coverage of agricultural biotechnology issues in Africa for adoption of evidence-based policies on agricultural biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The grant period shall be ONE YEAR subject to review of proposal and agreed deliverables during the grant period.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of engaging award-winning journalists are to:
- Cultivate and strengthen OFAB’s relationship with award-winning journalists and partnerships with the media, for improved balanced media coverage and awareness on biotechnology issues in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Build the capacity of biotech journalists and enhance their interest in reporting agricultural biotechnology issues, and advancing their careers as science reporters.
- Support policy engagements with policymakers for adoption of evidence-based biotech policies and products in OFAB countries though targeted communication addressing biotech policy issues in the media.
- To contribute to positive perceptions of agricultural biotechnology by small-scale farmers in Africa
REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY
Participants MUST be:
- An OFAB Award Winner from an OFAB chapter (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso) and a finalist at the OFAB Africa Media Awards.
- Submit a grant proposal to specific OFAB Chapter for consideration outlining how the journalist will use the grant to research and publish on emerging policy issues hindering the uptake of agricultural biotechnologies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AREAS OF FOCUS
In this call for applications OFAB Africa is looking for proposals on the topic of agricultural biotechnology in Africa. We are looking to fund innovative journalistic projects about emerging issues on agricultural biotechnology in OFAB chapter countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. OFAB will offer grants for journalists to conduct independent research on agricultural biotechnologies in Sub-Saharan Africa — through well-researched factual, positive, scientific and balanced reporting.
Formats
a. Well-researched Impact Stories/Feature Stories on topical agricultural biotechnology issues in Africa
b. Video Documentaries
c. Opinion pieces addressing key biotech policy issues
d. Radio Talk shows addressing biotechnology issues
e. TV Discussions programs on agricultural biotech
f. Blogging on topical biotechnology issues
NB: Award winners will work in consultation with OFAB to identify emerging policy issues hindering the uptake of agricultural biotechnologies in Sub-Saharan Africa; engaging scientists, farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders to demystify misinformation with factual and balanced reporting based on scientific facts across different media.
Journalists will conduct research independently, in teams and /or in partnership with the journalist’s media houses to:
a) conduct in-depth journalistic research on issues affecting the adoption of agricultural biotechnology and policy environment in Sub-Saharan Africa, and
b) Create a positive policy environment for objective, evidence-based policies backed by scientific facts.
Suggested Topics
• Addressing issues affecting adoption of agricultural biotechnology; • How to enhance policy environment of agricultural biotechnology;
• Safety and perceptions on agricultural biotechnology; • Benefits and potential of agricultural biotechnology.; • How agricultural biotechnologies can contribute to achievement of sustainable development goals; • Agricultural biotechnology and how it can be used to address developmental challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
SELECTION CRITERIA
Successful applications will be judged based on the following criteria:
1. Editorial focus and quality
2. Impact and reach
3. Innovation
Editorial focus and quality
Pitched story ideas forms the most important part of the application. Successful applications will have the following elements:
• Relevance — proposal should have a strong link to the topic.
• Originality — under-reported topics and fresh perspective on well-known issues are most welcome.
• Focus and thoroughness –- Applicants should aim to go the extra mile in using data and/or evidence reporting to back-up their stories, looking at context, underlying issues and the bigger picture.
• Balanced and objective reporting — Multiple perspectives of a story should be explored to reflect the reality without being stereotypical.
Impact and reach
We are looking for stories that demonstrate how they will create impact and reach.
• Particularly stories that inform public opinion and debate and change the way people understand agricultural biotechnology in Africa.
• The ability of the stories to be grounded in evidence-based research for different stakeholders to make decisions and form opinions about their lives and communities that they live in is critical.
• Distribution of stories should achieve significant reach with large audiences in one or more of the OFAB countries or in Africa.
• Applicants should demonstrate how they will partner with media organizations to achieve significant reach and use of other media strategies for optimizing reach. Similarly, exceptional audience strategies targeting single countries will be reviewed favourably.
Innovation
OFAB welcomes innovative story-telling ideas to increase the chance of impact and reach. This can be demonstrated in two ways.
1. Showing new ways of engaging audiences using one or two digital technologies; creative use of video, audio, imagery, data, text, maps, graphics, quizzes, animation or other engaging content forms to complement a great story is important. NB: A successful proposal should have one or two, NOT all.
2. Customized format for proposed audience. We encourage leveraging new social media tools/technologies to deliver compelling stories.
RESTRICTIONS ON GRANT
The grant DOES NOT cover
• Journalist’s salary
• Costs of previously published work
• Purchases of equipment, machines etc,
• Bribes and/or other unethical, illegal and undocumented expenses
• Activities that infringe on or violate the privacy of individuals and engagements in political campaigns or lobbying.
What the grant CAN cover
• Direct expenses for research, including travel and accommodation
• Technical costs to hire equipment or crew
• Post-production work & graphic design and visualisation
• Translations into other languages with the aim of wider reach
Joint proposals involving more than one OFAB Media Award winners are highly encouraged.
APPLICATION AND DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:
Eligible applicants are to send their entries to ofabmediaawards@gmail.com by 13th February, 2021