The Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism 2025, administered by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), is a unique opportunity for women and non-binary journalists to receive financial support for storytelling that dives deeply into the rhythms, emotions, and human truths of real life. This grant honors the legacy of Kari Howard—a brilliant narrative editor known for her love of lyrical, emotionally compelling, and character-driven journalism. With individual grants of up to $5,000, the fund empowers journalists to produce narrative features that capture “the music of everyday life,” while confronting underreported, complex issues around the world.
The primary goal of the fund is to enable the production of narrative journalism that combines literary storytelling techniques with strong reporting. Funded stories should have a strong character focus, rich scenes, and a narrative arc that provides emotional resonance and deep understanding of the subject matter. The story’s power should emerge not just from the subject matter but also from how it’s told—through dialogue, conflict, vivid description, and pacing that creates momentum. This kind of storytelling—personal, immersive, detailed—demands time, skill, and resources, which this fund aims to provide.
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The grant is intended to help journalists pursue stories that might otherwise go untold due to financial barriers. Eligible applicants can use the grant to cover reporting-related expenses including travel, accommodations, safety gear, and transcription services. However, the story must be completed and published in English within six months of receiving the grant. Applications are welcome from anywhere in the world, but all stories must be written in English, and any multimedia components must support a written narrative rather than replace it.
Ideal submissions should include a detailed project proposal, a clear timeline, a proposed budget, and evidence of an editor’s interest or commitment to publish. Freelance and staff journalists are equally eligible, and collaborative applications involving two or more reporters are also accepted, provided one person serves as the lead applicant. The selection committee looks for originality, narrative strength, and feasibility. The grant is not intended for breaking news reports or opinion essays, but for in-depth storytelling with compelling characters and deeply rooted reporting.
The Kari Howard Fund encourages applicants to explore stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. Whether focused on migration, conflict, cultural identity, gender issues, climate, or everyday resilience, funded projects should give readers new perspectives and emotional connection. Past recipients of IWMF funding have gone on to publish in top-tier media outlets, making this grant a strong stepping stone for ambitious journalists with a passion for narrative form.
The IWMF strongly values the safety of its grantees. In cases where projects involve travel to challenging or dangerous environments, journalists are expected to demonstrate appropriate safety planning. The organization may also offer legal or risk-related support through partner organizations when necessary.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their entries well before the deadline. The application platform is hosted on Submittable, and questions can be directed to IWMF’s programs team. Decision notifications are expected by early September 2025, and all projects should be completed within six months of receiving the grant. This fund offers a remarkable opportunity to tell rich, nuanced stories that make a lasting impact—stories that resonate, educate, and inspire.
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Requirement/Eligibility
1. Applicant must identify as a woman or non-binary individual.
2. Must be a professional journalist—either freelance or staff—working in print or online publications.
3. Applicants must have at least three (3) years of professional journalism experience (internships do not count).
4. Journalism must be the applicant’s primary profession.
5. Proposals must involve original narrative journalism with a strong storyline and character development.
6. Story must be written in English, regardless of reporting location.
7. Multimedia submissions are allowed but must accompany a written narrative, not replace it.
8. Team applications are accepted but one person must be designated as the lead.
9. Applicants must demonstrate editor interest or a history of publishing similar work.
10. All projects must be completed and published within six (6) months of receiving the grant.
Grant Amount:
Up to $5,000 per selected project
Deadline
July 13, 2025
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