OVERVIEW: IJNR provides grants to individual journalists covering environmental issues in North America.
IP TAKE: The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources is an accessible funder for individual journalists pursuing reporting on conservation, climate, environmental justice, Indigenous communities, public health and other environmental and natural resource issues. This is not a strong prospect for nonprofits seeking conventional institutional support. IJNR’s standing reporting grants are made to individual journalists rather than journalism nonprofits or news organizations, although reporters working for these organizations may apply individually. Grantseekers should review the program categories carefully and sign up for IJNR’s newsletter because special opportunities and training programs change over time. Participation in IJNR programs may also be useful for building a relationship with the organization, as Rapid Response Grants are restricted to alumni and past grantees.
PROFILE: The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR) pursues a mission to “help journalists understand and report on the intersections between society and the environment.” It began in Missoula, Montana, in 1995 as an experimental field program associated with the University of Montana School of Journalism. It became an independent public nonprofit in 1997 and has since expanded its work across North America. Its programs now include immersive institutes, shorter workshops, virtual programming, mentoring and reporting grants.
IJNR focuses broadly on environment and natural resource journalism, including reporting related to climate, water, energy, development, wildlife, agriculture, environmental justice, forestry, fisheries and public health. Its grantmaking is designed primarily to help working journalists cover reporting expenses they otherwise might not be able to afford.
Grants for Journalism and Environmental Conservation
The institutes main grantmaking vehicle is its field reporting grants program. Current opportunities include the following.
- The Wildfire Reporting Grant offers stipends of $1000 to support projects covering wildfire and/or related policy issues in the U.S. or Canada.
- The Steve Dolberg Memorial Grant, named for a late board member, is a $2,500 award for projects focusing on wildlife and/or conservation. The program prioritizes photojournalism.
- The Mary G. Hager Memorial Grant, also named for a late board member, is a $1000 grant to support an early-career female journalist reporting on “public health impacts of the environment.
- The Indigenous Reporting Grant offers $1,000 for projects that report on natural resources and conservation efforts in Native American, first Nation or Alaska Native communities. Priority is given to Indigenous journalists, but this is not an eligibility requirement.
- The Environmental Justice Reporting Grants support reporting on underrepresented and most-affected communities. Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $1,000.
- The Guerry Beam Memorial Award supports journalism about marine conservation anywhere in North America. Grants are for up to $750.
- Andrew Weegar Memorial Award supports journalism about conservation, traditional agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The grant prioritizes “top-quality immersive storytelling and high-spirited adventures of all kinds.” Grants are for up to $1,000.
- The Frank Allen Field Reporting Award is named after the founder of IJNR, who “led journalists on intense reporting expeditions throughout North America.” The organization makes grants for up to $500 each year. Runners-up for the above grant programs are automatically considered for these awards.
- IJNR sets aside a small annual pool of Rapid Response Grants for time-sensitive reporting. Awards are capped at $750 and are restricted to IJNR alumni and past grantees. They are intended principally to cover travel for breaking or otherwise time-sensitive stories.
- IJNR launched a two-year Community Reporting Project for 2026–2027, designed to support early-career journalists from marginalized communities interested in environment and natural-resources journalism. It is centered programmatically in the Great Lakes region, although fellows may live anywhere in North America.
- The institute also awards special or supplemental grants to journalists working in an area outside of the institutes typical grantmaking programs and of specific or timely interest.
Important Grant Details:
IJNR’s grants are awarded in amounts set by each program ranging from $500 to $2,500.
- Grants typically support the work of professional journalists, although early-career journalists are eligible.
- Note that this funder also runs institutes and workshops for journalists working in the areas of environment and natural resources. See the program page for upcoming opportunities.
- To apply, grant seekers must submit a letter of interest, a resume, one professional letter of recommendation, and four to six work samples. Find complete guidelines at the application page.
- Email questions to contact@ijnr.org or reach the institute by phone at (734) 395-1750. The contact page also offers a newsletter signup.
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