EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP) are happy to announce the availability of 20 media prizes intended to promote coverage of stories relating to biodiversity and natural environment in China. The prizes are designed to encourage media staff to tackle more environmental issues or undertake travel research for stories that they would otherwise not be able to cover. Stories should be new and original.

Prizes will comprise awards of Euro 1,000 each. This sum is expected to cover, travel, subsistence and honorarium involved in covering the specific story. The prizes will be awarded in two payments. 50% on signing of the acceptance agreement. 50% on first acceptance for the proposed publication of the story in the media. Media is taken broadly to include newspaper, magazine, journal articles, published cartoon or graphics, or broadcast VNR or TV documentary.

Applications are invited to all professional media staff and should be addressed to info@ecbp.cn by closing date of 10th May 2010.

Winning applications will be selected by a panel of judges to be set up by ECBP.

Applications will be judged equally on three criteria:

·Importance and relevance and news value of story to biodiversity theme (preference will be given to stories that relate to ECBP research themes or field projects)
·Justification for requesting finance to cover the specified story.
·Proven reporting abilities (based on a submitted prior published work).

Publication should be completed by 30th November 2010. ECBP retain the right to reproduce all or part of the story, photos or video material in its own newsletter, website or publication series.