A small grant for stories
that deserve to be told

The Duckling Seed Grant supports emerging storytellers, journalists, photographers, filmmakers and creative change makers who want to make thoughtful stories with depth, curiosity and care.

What is the Duckling Seed Grant?

The Duckling Seed Grant is a small fund designed to help members of the Duckling community develop projects.

We believe many important stories never get made because the first step is too hard. The Seed Grant is here to help make that first step easier, by providing up to 1.300€ with few strings attached.

Who is it for?

You do not need to be fully established to apply for the grant, you just need a strong idea and a membership of Ducklings community. The Seed Grant is for:

  • Emerging journalists, photographers and filmmakers

  • Multimedia storytellers

  • Anyone with a strong, thoughtful story idea

What the grant can cover

The Seed Grant is flexible and meant to support what a project actually needs with minimum requirements. We do not care how you spend the money, as long as you deliver a strong story. In addition to this we ask you for a short report describing your work process, so others in our community can learn from it.

Photo: Laura Riis

Photo: Laura Riis

What recipients receive

The Seed Grant is not only about money. The goal is to help projects grow in a thoughtful and sustainable way. So in addition to funding we provide editorial feedback and promote selected stories on Duckling and with our partners.

How projects are selected

Seed Grants are rewarded on a monthly basis, at the end of each month. The Duckling core team reviews all applications, and selects up to 10 projects. Our total monthly grant amount is 1.300€, which can be divided between multiple projects or rewarded a single project. Our selection criteria is a combination of:

  • Alignment with Duckling’s values: Compassion, Curiosity and Critical Thinking

  • Feasibility and ability to make the project real.

  • Potential to create insight, connection or new perspective

  • Ability to engage an audience

Photo: Laura Riis

Photo: Laura Riis

How to apply

You don’t need to write a long application. You just need a Duckling community membership, and you fill out an our questionnaire where you share a bit about who you are and your story or project idea.