[03/18/20 – Thanks to a generous gift, we are now able to offer five grants, each for $5,000. Everything else about the process remains the same — applications are due Friday the 20th and results announced Monday the 23rd.]

Recognizing a profound need for accurate information about the COVID-19 virus, the Brown Institute for Media Innovation is offering five “rapid” micro-grants to help support journalists, technologists, health researchers, data scientists, social scientists, and any and all communities involved in covering the virus. The grants are for $5000 each and can be spent for just about any activity that helps inform the public. Examples include novel modes of tracking the progress of the virus, the responses by various governmental organizations, and predictions of its impact — the subject is open. Outcomes might include data and data visualizations, tools to spot and combat misinformation about the virus, a reported story, a VR/AR experience or an interactive of some kind.

Applications for the COVID-19 Reporting Micro-grants are due Friday, March 20 at midnight and we will announce winners on Monday, March 23. The application itself consists of a 1-page PDF description of your project, together with a small budget outlining how you will spend the funds. Contact browninstitute@columbia.edu with any questions.

Apply at brown.submittable.com. This Call for Proposals is open to the general public and an affiliation to Columbia or Stanford is not required. Proposals should follow strict CDC guidelines and not suggest activities that put the grantee or the public at greater risk.

Funding is available to individuals and organizations worldwide, so long as they can receive funding from a US entity under US law.