Supporting Independent Journalism: The Rainforest Reporting Grant

The Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Reporting Grant is a crucial initiative supporting independent journalism in the world’s most critical tropical forests—the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. Building on the success of the Rainforest Journalism Fund (RJF), which supported over 300 projects and 600 journalists since 2018, this grant offers ambitious opportunities for journalists seeking to investigate environmental and governance issues in these vital ecosystems.

Expanding the Scope of Environmental Journalism

The Rainforest Reporting Grant goes beyond traditional project funding by encouraging collaborative and innovative approaches to journalism. It supports both freelancers and staff journalists in producing in-depth reports on illegal wildlife trades, harmful extraction industries, and corruption that threatens these forests. The initiative provides selective training, networking opportunities, and resources to enhance the capacity of journalists in these regions.

Who Can Apply and How It Works

Journalists can apply for funding to cover reporting costs, including travel, partnerships with local reporters, translation services, and technical support. The application process is open in five languages: English, French, Bahasa Indonesia, Portuguese, and Spanish. Most grants range from $8,000 to $15,000, though larger projects requiring additional resources may receive higher amounts.

The Impact of Rainforest Journalism

The impact of Pulitzer Center-supported journalism has been profound. Reports funded through the Rainforest Journalism Fund have led to corporate sanctions, policy revisions, and global awareness on illegal activities threatening rainforests. The new Rainforest Reporting Grant aims to continue this legacy by enabling journalists to expose environmental crimes, inform policymaking, and drive systemic change.

Apply for a Grant

For journalists passionate about rainforest conservation and investigative reporting, this grant provides a unique opportunity to tell critical stories that may otherwise go unreported. To learn more about how to craft a strong proposal and submit an application, visit the Pulitzer Center’s grant application page.

Environmental journalism plays a crucial role in safeguarding our planet’s forests. Through this initiative, the Pulitzer Center is ensuring that these vital ecosystems remain in the global spotlight.