Finding funding for international reporting expenses

“Many writers find they have better luck placing a story that requires international reporting if they get external financial support. Having funding already lined up makes your pitch more attractive since it lowers costs for the publication. Grants from organizations like the Pulitzer Center help support many expensive reporting trips. Both the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing and the Society of Environmental Journalists maintain databases of grants and fellowships that fund reporting projects of various lengths. ... Approach grant applications the same way you would approach complex feature pitches. Make sure you have a story (not just a topic) and solid background research.”

-- Skyler Ware, freelance science writer, excerpt from “Getting Yourself on the Scene: How to fund and plan field-reporting trips” (The Open Notebook)