Doc Society Climate Story Fund Grant

The Doc Society Climate Story Fund Grant invites applications for stories that showcase the interconnectedness of life and the potential of climate action to create an inclusive and resilient future. Inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's words, the fund seeks narratives that resonate emotionally, emphasizing love for communities and the environment. Grants of up to $125,000 will support independent media storytelling and impactful projects aiming to inspire global audiences towards a just transition.

These profound words from Robin Wall Kimmerer guide this year’s call for applications for the Doc Society Climate Story Fund.
The Doc Society Climate Story Fund supports compelling independent media storytelling and impact strategies from around that world that can help audiences envision the just transition, and activate them to make these visions a reality. The Fund provides up to $125,000 grants to support the completion of production of nonfiction projects, and for completed nonfiction and fiction projects looking to implement an impact pilot.

Application Details

Guidelines
dependent on the flourishing of the other.” These profound words from Robin
Wall Kimmerer guide this year’s call for applications for the Doc Society Climate
Story Fund.
life and demonstrate how climate action can lead to a new era of
abundance—one where systems are redesigned to be more inclusive, equitable,
and resilient, without leaving anyone behind. These narratives should resonate on
environments, and the generations yet to come.
hope to activate global audiences to envision and demand a future that balances
environmental restoration with social justice, political accountability, ethical
migration policies, and the responsible use of technology.
The Doc Society Climate Story Fund supports compelling independent media
storytelling and impact strategies from around that world that can help
audiences envision the just transition, and activate them to make these visions a
reality. The Fund provides up to $125,000 grants to support the completion of
production of nonfiction projects, and for completed nonfiction and fiction
projects looking to implement an impact pilot.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
If your project does not meet the following requirements, it will unfortunately not
be eligible for consideration, and your application will be rejected.
Regarding your project
● All projects must be climate themed and should have impact goals and be
keen to expand, explore, and implement them.
● We support nonfiction projects in late production and completed
nonfiction and fiction projects looking to implement an impact pilot. See
● We fund the following formats: long form, shorts, episodic and animation
films as well as podcasts and radio documentaries.
1

● The project must be the original creation of an independent storyteller who
holds the copyright to their work and maintains complete artistic,
budgetary, and editorial control. Projects directed by a third party, such as a
broadcaster, university, foundation, or nonprofit organization, are not
eligible.
● To qualify for production funding, projects must complete production
within a year from being awarded the grant.
● To qualify for impact funding, projects must implement an impact pilot
within a year from being awarded the grant.
● The project must have secured financial support from at least one active
funder.
Regarding your application
● Applications must be submitted online via the Doc Society applications
portal here.
● All required Application Questions must be answered thoroughly and
thoughtfully. If a question has multiple parts, then all parts must be
addressed in order to be considered.
● The application must include an online work sample of up to 10 minutes in
length. If you submit a sample longer than 10 minutes, only the first 10
minutes will be reviewed, unless you note which 10 minutes the reviewers
should watch.
● All sample materials in languages other than English must have English
subtitles.
● Sample materials should not be changed throughout the reviewing period.
● Budgets must be submitted in US dollars.
● At least two key team members—one from the production team and one
from the impact team— listed in the application must have committed to
attending the required virtual Impact Lab. Please ensure that such key
team members are available on the lab dates, should your project be
selected.
Regarding yourself
● The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
● Applicants from anywhere in the world can apply.
● The applicant is not required to have nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship.
● We are happy to receive applications from Producers, Directors, Lead
Creatives or Impact Producers on the project.

GRANT AWARD
Grants made will range from approximately USD $50,000-125,000.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
We recognize that reviewing applications and selecting a cohort of grantees is an
inherently subjective process.
thoughtful process. Our guiding principle is to identify projects that demonstrate
artistic excellence, a compelling story with strong impact potential, and a sense of
accountability to the communities they represent.
consider the following key questions when evaluating your application:
● Does this story embody climate themes?
themes” intentionally. Climate is an intersectional issue that touches upon
a range of issues including but not limited to racial equity, Indigenous
knowledge, forced migration, agriculture, housing, technology, and
conservation. Applicants do not have to address climate and biodiversity
issues directly.
center the voices of those on the frontlines of the crisis and challenge
common tropes found in past narratives—such as the “doom and gloom”
perspective—by exploring a broader emotional spectrum, including
optimism, humor, love, and more.
● Is the story compelling? Is the vision clearly articulated and does it bring a
unique perspective?
● Does the story seem like it could engage audiences who do not identify
themselves as climate experts and/or do not see themselves as part of the
climate movement?
● Does the applicant demonstrate a responsibility towards their relationship
with the community and participants whose story they are choosing to
3

tell?
prefer for stories to be told by storytellers who are from the communities
they are spotlighting. If the storytelling team is not from the community,
they must clearly show how they have thoughtfully considered this
circumstance throughout the production process and in planning their
impact activities.
● If the applicant is applying for a production and impact grant, does the
team clearly demonstrate their ability to complete production within one
year of receiving the grant?
● If the applicant is applying for an impact grant, does the team demonstrate
readiness to implement an impact pilot within one year of receiving the
grant? This includes having production completed, a distribution plan in
place, and a well-developed impact vision with key partners and
partnerships already secured.
TO BEAR IN MIND:

• ● The Climate Story Fund application form is part of the Non-Fiction Core
• Application Project, an initiative by international documentary funders to
• reduce the burden on storytellers/artists/filmmakers by standardizing the

application form across multiple funding organizations. Guidance can be
found at https://www.documentary.org/core-application
● Doc Society has created the Impact Field Guide as a useful resource for
building impact strategies.
● Our production grant funding is recoupable on a pro-rata pari passu basis.
This means that we recover our funding in proportion to other investors
and on equal terms, ensuring no preferential treatment is given. Recouped
funds can be reinvested directly into the project's impact activities.
● Our impact grant funding is entirely non-recoupable.