AJMI - Doha

Al Jazeera Media Institute announces the opening of applications for media organizations and community initiatives to apply for support for their initiatives and their ideas of media projects. This comes as part of ongoing efforts to highlight issues of media development and contributing to building a better future for communities, within the framework of media empowerment, in the third session of “Independent Initiatives Support Project”. This project, titled “Media Empowerment,” continues its mission to support and reinforce independent media initiatives in order to help them reflect and express community issues more effectively and impactfully.
The Institute invites organizations and initiatives related to journalism and media to apply and compete within the following fields:

• Digital Media Development: Innovative institutions and initiatives aiming to enhance and improve digital media environment in specific regions, focusing on advancing digital storytelling tools and helping journalists to better utilization of digital applications in journalism.

• Combating Misinformation: Institutions and initiatives that promote fact-checking environments, encouraging critical engagement with media content, and working to limit spread of rumors and false news online.

• Storytelling Development: Initiatives that empower marginalized or underrepresented groups to document their personal experiences and community stories through various media tools (text, images, audio), to strengthen presence of these groups in public sphere. Participants are not required to be journalists; as focus is on building their skills in storytelling, expression and documentation to produce alternative knowledge rooted in their communities.

• Podcast Production: Youth-led initiatives focusing on producing independent audio content (podcasts) addressing social, cultural, or knowledge-based issues contributing to media diversity. This includes developing technical and editorial skills and building sustainable models for audio production and distribution in order to allow new voices to reach the public.

• In-depth and Analytical Journalism: Media projects that produce deep, research-based, and analytical content that offering audiences access to reliable and high-value information beyond fast-paced news.

• Sustainable Development: Media institutions and initiatives addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Institute does not provide direct financial funding, nor does it cover salaries, bonuses, or equipment purchases. Instead, it offers in-kind support, including:

• Free training courses to enhance skills of teams involved in the project.
• Strategic plans for project management development.
• Follow-ups and consultations with experts to refine ideas and content.
• Development of digital platforms.
• Enhancement of visual identity.
• Improvement of journalistic storytelling tools.

Eligible beneficiaries include:
• Independent media initiatives.
• Small media organizations.
• Student initiatives.
• Media colleges.

If you are ready to embark on an inspiring journey that bridges media and development, we welcome your participation, provided the project duration ranges between 3 to 5 months.

As a condition for receiving support upon selection, participants must sign a commitment letter that includes:
• Carry out all activities listed in grant application according to a specific timeline ending in November 2026, possible adjustments could be permissible after notifying the Institute in writing if there are acceptable reasons. 
• Submission of a detailed monthly report covering progress, achievements, challenges, and expected developments.
• Submission of a comprehensive final report including results, analysis, recommendations, and supporting documents.
• Full cooperation with any expert, consultant, or technical staff assigned by the Institute for project activities.
• Acknowledging source of support and displaying the logo of the Institute in all activities in line with its visual identity guidelines.
• Compliance with the Institute’s code of conduct, including respect for intellectual property, adherence to local and international laws, and proper media presence on social platforms.

Deadline for applications is May 4, 2026, at 23:00 (Doha local time).

Note:
• Applications that fail the requirements or submitted after the deadline will be disqualified.
• Applications must be submitted through completing the following designated form.

To register