Call for Applications: IPI News Innovation Contest 2012

The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, the promotion of the free flow of news and information and the improvement of the practices of journalism. Founded in 1950, at Columbia University in New York, IPI is the world’s oldest global press freedom organisation.

A second round of applications is now open in the IPI News Innovation Contest, a media innovation contest run by the IPI and funded by Google. Inc.

At the end of 2011, the IPI News Innovation Contest team granted awards totalling more than US$600 000 to three projects. This year, the remaining funds will be shared among a new set of winners.

As it enters its second year, the contest enjoys the support of a top-notch international Advisory Board whose expertise spans new media development, online media journalism training, press freedom, online economic models and other topics. The structure of the Contest has been fine-tuned so that we identify the most ambitious projects in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

IPI is calling for applications for the IPI News Innovation Contest 2012.

(Applicants are advised to read carefully the Terms and Conditions, and FAQ, for guidelines and proposal improvement suggestions).

This year, the IPI News Innovation Contest will have two categories:

• News Platforms: Most of the projects we consider in this category involve: ideas associated with the improvement and development of data-based investigative journalism; an increase in community engagement with professional journalists; enhancement of news gathering and delivery through new technological mechanisms; data visualisation, processing and analysis; revenue models for online businesses. New ideas promoting the advance of news platforms and online journalism development are always highly appreciated;
• Training: The creation of this category was vital because of the lack of proper training in online media for journalists. It promotes initiatives that help traditional journalists transition into online media, by improving their technology skills and familiarising them with online news models. Once the training is completed they will be able to continue applying and improving the knowledge they have gained.

A third category, 'Sustainability', was eliminated this year because of the importance of news platforms and training. News platforms will play a key role in the generation of revenue, the development of new economic models, and the use of existing ones, once the funding has been used up. Training programmes must promote sustainability so that acquired skills can be shared among professional journalists and/or citizen journalists, and continuously applied.

This time, the contest will be more compact and the selection process has been accelerated so that winners can be announced at the beginning of April.

"Innovation nowadays is so fast-paced that ideas need to be seized upon right away if they are to stand a chance of bearing fruit," said IPI Grants Officer José Otárola-Silesky. "That’s why the contest has been compressed, and the guidelines are more specific and relevant, in terms of what 21st Century online media development requires.”

Individuals, academies, profit and nonprofit organisations are invited to submit their applications. People of all nationalities - especially from the Middle East and Africa - with an innovative idea about improving online media are encouraged to apply. Participants from last year are also welcome to apply again, as new candidates.

Apply online, click here.

For interviews and media, contact:

José Otárola-Silesky
Grants Officer
International Press Institute (IPI)
Spiegelgasse 2/29
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 512 9014
E-mail: jotarola@freemedia.at

For more about the International Press Institute, refer to www.freemedia.at.

To view other opportunities, visit www.ngopulse.org/group/home-page/other-opportunities.