This issue of the Drum Beat includes a selection of awards and funding opportunities summarised on The Communication Initiative (The CI) website with deadlines between May 1st and September 30th 2007. Details about the prizes are in the full descriptions, including criteria, deadlines, and previous winners. Please click on the links provided below for the full descriptions.

There are additional awards and funding opportunities available; please see the Awards and Funding Opportunities sections of The CI website for information on more support initiatives.

If you have information about other contests, prizes and funding opportunities that address communication for development issues and strategies, please contact us. Send details and links to Deborah Heimann dheimann@comminit.com Many thanks!

AWARDS

1. CFJ/CNN European Award for the Best Student News Blog

Rewards students currently studying journalism at a university or school of journalism in a country within the European Union for news blogs in French or English. The winner of the top prize will receive 3 months of training at CNN International's London headquarters, and US$2,500.

Deadline: May 1 2007

2. World of Children Awards

Recognise ordinary people worldwide whose lives are dedicated to doing extraordinary work on behalf of children. There are 3 award categories: World of Children Health Award; World of Children Humanitarian Award; and the Founder's Award. The first 2 award winners will receive US$50,000; and the third, US$15,000 for the Founder's Award. All award funds go to support the proven and sustainable programmes initiated/managed by the winners.

Deadline: May 4 2007

3. Young Environmental Journalist Award

Honours 2 journalists from India who are under 30 years old and who have made a significant contribution in either the print or electronic media to an understanding of the nation's environmental problems. This will be country-wide recognition for excellence in environmental journalism and will be given to an individual who has done exemplary investigative and inspired reporting. The award carries a cash prize of Rs25,000 each for print and television (TV) journalists.

Deadline: April 30 with late entry date of May 15 2007

4. Ending Corruption: Honesty Instituted

Honours organisations with innovative strategies to curb the impact of corruption. Organisations of all types with existing anti-corruption projects are invited to describe their projects and demonstrated impact, even small-scale. Judges are looking for innovation, social impact, and sustainability.

Deadline: May 16 2007

5. International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management 2008

For innovative watershed management projects with the aim of promoting awareness and encouraging the efficient use of this precious resource. The International ReSource Award is worth US$150,000 and is granted to one or several projects selected by an international jury. Launched in 2002, the ReSource Award is an internationally recognised prize for leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in watershed management.

Deadline: May 31 2007

6. WACC Photo Competition 2007 - Communication for Peace

Honours photographers communicating a visual interpretation of the theme 'Communication for Peace.' Organised by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), the competition is open to all men, women and children, of all ages and from all countries. Up to 10 entries from amateurs and professionals are welcome. The prizes will be: 1st prize: US$500, and commendations: US$200 each. A selection of entries will be exhibited in Toronto, Canada, and will be used in WACC publications, such as the website and the journal "Media Development".

Deadline: May 31 2007

7. Euro-Med Journalist Prize for Cultural Diversity

Celebrates and highlights European and Mediterranean journalism that promotes better understanding of the diversity of cultures in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Award winners, 2 selected from Europe and 2 from the Mediterranean, will be invited on a guided tour of 4 countries to explore and report on issues of cultural dialogue and diversity.

Deadline: June 1 2007

8. Africa Thesis Award

Encourages student research and writing on Africa and promotes the study of African cultures and societies. This award is presented annually to a student whose Masters thesis has been completed on the basis of research conducted on Africa. The award may also be granted to any other final-year piece of work in the form of film, video or CD-ROM that presents a clear analysis of an issue relating to Africa.

Deadline: June 15 2007

9. Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism

Recognises independent and professional reporting that sheds new light on controversial issues. Two US$5,000 prizes are awarded each year, one to a local reporter in a developing country or nation in transition, and the other to a freelance journalist covering international news. The prizes were created in 2002 to honour Kurt Schork, an American freelance journalist who was killed in Sierra Leone in a military ambush while on assignment for Reuters on May 24 2000.

Deadline: June 15 2007

10. Sentinel for Health Awards

Recognises exemplary television storylines that best inform, educate, and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. Past recognition has been given for storylines about breast cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, disability, foetal alcohol syndrome, car crashes, organ donation, and safe sex. The awards programme now includes recognition in 5 categories: daytime drama, primetime drama, primetime minor storyline, primetime comedy, and telenovela.

Deadline: June 15 2007

11. Malaria Awards 2007

Established by the Malaria Foundation International (MFI) to honour and inspire individuals and organisations dedicated to the prevention and treatment of malaria. MFI recognises heroes working in the sciences, business, media, and education for their efforts in malaria control and eradication. Nominations are now being accepted for newly created categories, as well as the original ones, including lifetime achievement, person of the year, celebrity of the year, global media reporter of the year, and many more.

Deadline: June 30 2007

12. 2007 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

Recognises an individual or institution that has demonstrated long-term commitment to, and outstanding leadership in, advancing democracy or advocating human rights through peaceful means in Asia. Each year's laureate receives an award sculpture and a grant of US$100,000 to contribute to support the ongoing work of the laureate and his or her organisation. Nominations should be made by at least 2 credible international democracy or human rights organisations or individuals.

Deadline: June 30 2007

13. 2007 International Essay Contest for Young People

Rewards young people, up to 25 years of age, throughout the world for essays on the theme "The Role of Media and Information and Communication Technologies in Building a Peaceful World." Multiple prizes in 2 age categories - up to 14 years and 15-25 years old - will be given in all but the first-place category. The first-place winner will be invited to Japan to receive the award - travel expenses are paid by the sponsors.

Deadline: June 30 2007

14. Drivers of Change Award

Honours nominated individuals or organisations from across the southern Africa region that are making an impact in developing effective public policies and strategies to overcome economic poverty. The award was established to feature existing examples of innovative practices, inclusive attitudes, and effective processes that build social trust and create the best conditions to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people living in economic poverty.

Deadline: July 6 2007

15. 10th Annual International Peace Pals Art Competition and Exhibition

Encourages children throughout the world between the ages of 5 and 15 to create artwork that shows how media and information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to help build a peaceful world. The competition's theme is "Communicating Peace." Pictures should include the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth." First, second, and third place entries in each of 3 categories - 5-8, 9-12, and 13-15 years old - will be made into greeting cards, which will be awarded to all winners.

Deadline: July 31 2007

16. CBA-Rolls Royce Award for Exceptional News Feature

Awards a news feature on radio or television that pushes out the boundary of media freedom. It is likely to contain investigative reporting/footage, collected or shot in difficult circumstances. It can be on any topic, but may well cover issues relating to politics, corruption, or exploitation. It is offered by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) and Rolls Royce for a feature made or broadcast for the first time between October 2006 and July 2007.

Deadline: August 1 2007

17. Elizabeth R. Award for Exceptional Contribution to Public Service Broadcasting

Awards an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to public service broadcasting. The Award will go to someone who has had a major impact on the quality of broadcasting in a particular area, and brought about significant change - it could be, for example, a campaigner, performer, manager, or a pioneering engineering inventor, who need not belong to a member or affiliate organisation of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA). Any senior executive in a CBA member station, or in an affiliated organisation, may nominate a person who has made an exceptional contribution.

Deadline: August 1 2007

18. CBA-UNESCO Award for Science Reporting and Programming

Recognises a radio or television programme on science and technology that has high production value and focuses on promoting a better public understanding of science and technology as tools for national development. It should disseminate scientific information in an interesting and engaging manner that would attract the attention of a wide-ranging audience.

Deadline: August 1 2007

19. CBA-Amnesty International Award for Human Rights Programme

Recognises a radio or television feature that focuses on any area of human rights, which is challenging, has high production values, engages a wide audience, and is likely to have made an impact on policy. The minimum duration of the programme should be 10 minutes and the maximum duration must not exceed 60 minutes. The award is offered by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) and Amnesty International.

Deadline: August 1 2007

20. Award for Children's Science News

Awards young journalists worldwide for science journalism published in any medium - print, broadcast, or online. The US$3,000 prize recognises excellence in reporting about science for children up to age 14. The subject matter may be in most fields of science, but features focused exclusively on health or clinical medicine are not eligible. Entrants may submit an individual item, a series of up to 3 segments, or a group of 3 unrelated items.

Deadline: August 1 2007

21. Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature

Recognises significant contributions to the health literature in Latin America and the Caribbean and promotes the highest standards of research. Only articles published in scientific journals listed in the Index Medicus or in official Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) journals are eligible for consideration. Preference is given to studies involving more than one discipline and to papers related to infectious disease, a lifelong concern of Dr. Soper.

Deadline: August 24 2007

22. Mission Sustainability - We Face the Challenge

Highlights personal, original actions for how to make everyday life more sustainable. Run by the German Council for Sustainable Development, this competition seeks ideas regarding everyday situations such as personal consumption habits or use of energy, or how individuals - together with others - could transform their immediate surroundings or area into a community. Entries need to describe how you will put your ideas into action in your everyday life.

Deadline: August 31 2007

23. Stockholm Challenge GKP Awards 2007

For projects that demonstrate exemplary and innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSP) in 4 Stockholm Challenge Award categories: Education, Culture, Economic Development, and Public Administration. An MSP is defined as "a working partnership involving stakeholder organisations from three sectors (government, business and civil society) that leverages on complementary competencies and shares project costs, risks and benefits for a common goal". These awards reflect the complementary interests and strengths of both organisations as important platforms for the global promotion of knowledge for development (K4D) and information and communication technology for development (ICT4D).

Deadline: August 31 2007

24. The 2007 International Alternative Channel Citizen Journalist Contest

Honours innovative short videos in English, French, and Spanish. The contest, sponsored by an independent television-over-internet news channel, is open to "every citizen of the world who feels they have something worth saying using video." There are US$100,000 of prizes in 5 categories. The Alternative Channel TV audience and a jury made up of professional journalists will judge videos on persuasion, values, message, relevance, and novelty.

Deadline: August 31 2007

25. 2008 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Supports a spirit of enterprise by providing visionary individuals with the means to turn their ideas into reality. Innovative projects in the following fields will be judged on their spirit of enterprise, originality, feasibility, and potential impact: Science and Medicine, Technology and Innovation, Exploration and Discovery, The Environment, and Cultural Heritage.

Deadline: September 30 2007

FELLOWSHIPS

26. Global Journalism Silverstone Fellowship

For a foreign journalist based in London to conduct research into an aspect of international journalism through the Media and Communications Department, London School of Economics and Political Science. The fellowship, worth UK$5,000, will run from September 2007 to September 2008. The expectation is for the Fellow to conduct research, to write and present a report, and to contribute to occasional teaching responsibilities.

Deadline: June 1 2007

27. Clive Menell Fellowships 2007

For 2 mid-career or senior South African journalists to participate in a 3-week programme of discussion and study on international media issues. The fellows join colleagues from major media in Europe and the US at Duke University's DeWitt Wallace Center for Communication and Journalism in the United States. The Centre's media fellows' programme offers a wide selection of opportunities and resources. At the core of the programme is a series of seminars designed to address the most important policy issues on the media agenda in the coming years.

Deadline: August 31 2007

28. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Programme

For individuals who will use the opportunity for advanced study to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide. The fellowship provides support for up to 3 years of formal graduate-level study leading to a masters or doctoral degree.

Deadline: Varies from one country to another

29. HIV/AIDS and the Media Fellowships

For working journalists to undertake longer-term and in-depth research and writing on HIV/AIDS outside of the newsroom. The writing that results from these fellowships will be published in a wide range of media and peer-reviewed journals. The HIV/AIDS and the Media Project offers 2 annual 4-6 month fellowships shaped around identifying, researching, and filling gaps in reporting on HIV/AIDS.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

GRANTS

30. Wales Child's Play Programme

For funding the development of the infrastructure for children's play and strategically important play projects across Wales. It will also fund projects that give children opportunities to play and will support projects that make the link between play, nutrition and activity. It is intended to address children up to 12 years old living in Wales, particularly for the 8- to 12-year-old age group.

Deadline: May 4 2007

31. 2007 Small Grants Program

Intended to support projects in 2 categories: promoting healthy aging; and combating childhood obesity and improving nutrition. Calling for Latin American and Caribbean projects, the 2007 Small Grants Program (SGP) invites Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) technical units and country offices/centres, recognised non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, semi-autonomous government laboratories, research centres, and other non-profit organisations in Latin America and the Caribbean to apply for 1- or 2-year project grants in the US$5,000 to US$25,000 range.

Deadline: June 1 2007

32. RAINBO Sub Granting Initiative

Provides modest funds and technical assistance to African NGOs that might not otherwise have access to mainstream sources of funding. The main objectives of the project are: to support effective and innovative projects that combat female circumcision (FC)/female genital mutilation (FGM); to strengthen the institutional capacity of African NGOs working on the FC/FGM issue as part of advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls; and to expand collaborative relationships among NGOs, activists, academics, and researchers in Africa.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

33. African Women's Development Fund - Main Grants Program

Focuses on strengthening local, national, sub-regional, and regional organisations in Africa working towards women's empowerment. The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) works in 5 thematic areas: Women's Human Rights; Political Participation; Peace Building; Health, Reproductive Rights, and HIV/AIDS; and Economic Empowerment. The AWDF prioritises programmes which develop and promote women's leadership and advocacy across all these themes.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

34. Conflict Zone Film Fund

Provides seed money intended to bring together filmmakers from opposing sides of armed conflict zones around the world to collaborate on projects. The purpose of the fund is to encourage broad-based dialogue by developing collaborative projects that bridge the divide between communities in conflict with one another. These divides may be national, political, ethnic, and/or religious in character.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

35. Fresh Ideas: Community-Based Approaches to Improve Care for Vulnerable Populations

For new community-based approaches to health and health care problems that intersect with social factors - such as inadequate housing, poor education, and poverty. Grants up to US$300,000 for up to 3 years in duration are currently available for projects that serve immigrants and refugees.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

36. Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Travel Grants

Funds international travel costs associated with reporting projects on topics and regions of global importance, with an emphasis on issues that have gone unreported or under-reported in the mainstream American media. Journalists of any nationality on staff at print or broadcast outlets, as well as freelancers, are eligible for support, provided that their proposed projects include a credible plan for distribution in the American mainstream media.

Deadline: Rolling deadline

37. Africalia Funding

Sponsors cultural projects initiated in Africa in different arts-related disciplines, in order to promote sustainable human development through supporting the arts and contemporary African artistic expressions. The organisation focuses on cultural operators in 15 countries spread over the 4 sub Saharan regions. The maximum request for a project submission application must not be more than EU$25,000.

Deadline: 120 days (4 months) before starting the project

INTERNSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS

38. Scripps Howard Foundation Semester in Washington Internship

Offered 3 times per year, this internship brings students from developing countries to Washington, D.C. in the United States to work at the Scripps Howard News Service for 10 to 14 weeks each. The internship is open to undergraduate journalism or communications students who intend to pursue careers in print journalism after graduation.

Deadline: March 1, June 1, Oct 1 2007

39. Peace through Health Travelling Studentships

For 2 students, one from a conflict zone and one Canadian, to undertake a research project in peace through health. The final form of the student's research should both contribute to the development of the career of the student and to advancing peace through the health discipline. The project must be undertaken within 6 months of the award and is expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.

Deadline: July 1 2007

40. African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) Internship

For female students (both local and international) and those who have just completed their studies and are looking for experience and mentorship in the area of African women's human rights, gender mainstreaming, African feminist movements, and communications. The interns will work under the supervision and guidance of the programme officer in charge of a specific programme for a minimum period of 3 months and maximum period of 6 months.

Deadline: Rolling deadline.

This issue was written by Julie Levy.

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