Writers' fund black history month - twitter

**We're sorry but applications are now closed – the deadline was on the 21 September. However, we'd love to let you know about future opportunities. Please share your details with us below, and we'll stay in touch** Do you have a data story to tell for Black History Month? We’re looking for Black writers who can use data to tell a story or tell a story about data. We know these stories exist and want to give you the space to tell them

With your creativity, knowledge, and lived experience we’re excited to see what topics you’ll choose, from data about Caribbean micro-businesses to Black people on film; from data about the history of African languages to how algorithms might affect our society. The ODI has a history of exploring data issues through art and creative writing, and we'd love you to be a part of it. We’re also open to different forms of writing, from journalism to poetry and other formats (such as flash fiction, memoir, essay, or hybrid form).

Our judges are:

  • Yassmin Abdel-Magied, mechanical engineer, social advocate and writer
  • Rob Berkeley, Award-winning social reformer, leading development at BlackOutUK and former strategic advisor to the BBC on accountability and audience engagement
  • Dr Mahlet (Milly) Zimeta, Head of Public Policy at the Open Data Institute.
  • Sir Nigel Shadbolt, Principal of Jesus College Oxford and Chairman and Co-Founder of the Open Data Institute

From a shortlist, judges will pick two writers, and the ODI will offer a fund of £500 to both writers, to cover writing time and research. We’ll publish your piece on the ODI website during Black History Month (October 2020), which typically gets 15,000 views of our articles per month.

Entries (proposals) in by midnight on 21 September, we'll pick writers on 28 and 29 September, and you'll be expected to send us the final written piece by 16 October. This is open to people from all countries, but must be written in English. We may also request a meeting with you during the process to clarify specifics related to your idea.

  • Please submit your idea by midnight on 21 September 2020 (BST)
  • We will fund up to £500 per writer, but we will ask you for an itemised quote for your time
  • We cannot cover other expenses outside of your own writing time (ie travel, accommodation, equipment)
  • The work doesn't have to be new, but you will need to have the relevant rights to re-use it
  • You are agreeing for your work to be published on our website indefinitely
  • You must be able to deliver the work by 16 October September 2020, and we will pay your invoice upon delivery of the piece.
  • You are agreeing to have your name and a short biography attached to the piece (doesn't have to be the same biography as the one in your submission)
  • This fund is open to people in all countries, but must be written in English.
  • We may also request a meeting with you during the process to clarify specifics related to your idea, or may ask you to make some adjustments to ensure the piece is accurate and fits within our brand guidelines.

Entries are now closed, but please stay in touch

1. General Information

  1. The Open Data Institute (“the ODI” or the “Client”) is a not for profit corporation limited by guarantee. The ODI is located at: 65 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4JE.
  2. The following are the Terms and Conditions of the ODI for the provision to it of professional services as provided by any entity or person (“the Writer”).

2. Services, Fees and Payment

  1. The ODI requires services to be provided by the Writer:
  2. The details of the services to be provided (“the Services”), the fees payable for the Services (“the Fee”) and the payment terms for the Fee will be agreed in advance with the Writer and set out in the schedule (“the Schedule”) to the attached covering letter signed by both parties.
  3. These Terms and Conditions for Services (“Terms & Conditions”) and the attached covering letter with Schedule from ODI when signed by the Writer shall constitute the agreement for the provision of the Services by the Writer to ODI (“Agreement”).  In the event of a conflict between these Terms & Conditions and the Schedule the Schedule shall prevail.

3. Performance of Services

  1. The ODI shall engage the Writer and the Writer shall provide the Services to the ODI in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
  2. The Writer shall supply the Services in a good, efficient and proper manner using all reasonable skill and care with the results of the Services being fit for purpose and satisfactory quality. While the Writer’s method of work is its own, the Writer shall comply with the reasonable requests of the ODI, and with the ODI’s policies and procedures, as from time-to-time in force and shall use its reasonable endeavours to promote the interests of the ODI.
  3. The results of the Services and all rights in them shall be and remain the property of the ODI, but will be made available by the ODI for use by others, including the Writer, in accordance with an appropriate open licence.
  4. The Writer shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, codes and sanctions relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption including but not limited to the Bribery Act 2010, and shall comply with the ODI’s policies and procedures as from time to time in force.  Breach of this clause III.9 shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement.

4. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  1. This Agreement and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of England.
  2. The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).