Grants Opportunity for Professional Development of Health Reporters in Pakistan
Deadline: 9-Mar-22
The Department of State Consulate of the United States in Lahore is seeking applications to build capacity in media professionals across Punjab in healthcare reporting and related English language skills.
This project will train a group of 30 mid-level Punjab-based journalists from leading Pakistani traditional and electronic media outlets on reporting on healthcare issues in English.
This two-part project comprises an initial eight-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to hone the English language ability of project participants, followed by a series of workshops to enhance their reporting on health-related issues, particularly the coronavirus pandemic.
The project takes an inclusive approach, targeting a diverse range of journalists, including from minority and under-represented groups in the Punjab-based media sector. Enhanching capacity in healthcare reporting in English contributes to developing a skilled workforce and building a healthy society, as improved reporting, including uncensored narratives, reaches the general public. This project can be online, hybrid, or in-person.
Project Goal
To strengthen the capacity of Punjab-based media outlets to transmit precise and truthful information to Pakistani audiences about healthcare issues.
Improve the health of Pakistani society through provision of more reliable healthcare reporting, particularly on the coronavirus pandemic.
Increase awareness of Pakistani society vis-à-vis local, national, regional, and global healthcare challenges and how to overcome those challenges, particularly concerning the coronavirus pandemic.
Project Objectives
To train Punjab-based journalists from leading traditional and electronic media outlets in healthcare reporting and English language within six months to produce accurate, reliable reporting on healthcare issues in English, particularly the coronavirus pandemic.
To create a network of 30 journalists focused on healthcare reporting in English. The network will encourage exchanges of skills and information, as well as collaboration in a new professional community.
If awarded, this project will be funded by Diplomatic and Consular Programs authorized by the Fulbright Hays Act and is subject to the statutory limitations of such funding.
Funding Information
Estimated Total Project Funding: $ 30,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $ 30,000
Length of Project Period: 6 months
Anticipated Program Start Date: October 1, 2022.
Project Audience(s)
The primary project audience is 30 mid-level journalists covering healthcare issues from across Punjab. The journalists will be a mix of male and female aged 25-40 years old, holding a university degree in a media-related field, and having a minimum of five years of journalism experience with a leading media outlet in Punjab. The audience will include a strong representation of journalists from minority and under-represented groups in the Punjab-based media sector such as women and transgenders.
The secondary audience will be the general public across Punjab who consult English language electronic and traditional media for information and will benefit from improved reporting on healthcare issues.
Eligibility Criteria
The following non-profit organizations are eligible to apply:
Non-governmental organizations
Civil society organizations
For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories, are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337259