Apply for History Unit stipend to create queer history content

What: stipend opportunity to create journalistic content on queer history

For whom: journalists and content creators worldwide

Deadline to apply: 15 July 2025

After a series of stipends exclusively for participants of our workshops, we are now excited to open this opportunity to a broader audience. If you've been thinking about applying but haven’t been able to find the time to join one of our workshops – yet still believe in the strength of your research idea – this is your chance! Please note: this is the final stipend opportunity from Unit under the current project.

What kind of content is expected to be published?

Long-reads, a podcast series, a documentary video, translations of already-existing materials and publishing them in other media – whatever you choose! The projects must have a regional connection to our focus countries (Belarus, Germany, Poland, Ukraine) and must be published in one of the project languages (Belarusian, German, Polish, Ukrainian or English).

We expect applications with a strong historical focus that shed light on queer perspectives. Possible topics could be, for example: History of queer oppression and resistance under the Nazi regime, Antiqueer propaganda, Queer lives in past and present and their interrelations, Marginalization of queer struggles, Breaking historical taboos from queer-feminist perspectives, etc. You can pick your journalistic format of choice; however, we do expect extensive and in-depth work.

Perspectives from/about Ukraine are explicitly invited. If needed, we can offer you the help of a fixer in Kyiv who can support you with logistics, relevant contacts, translation, etc.

Please consider not only starting new projects but also finishing old ones (you probably have a few of them waiting patiently in a forgotten folder, right?) or finding broader audiences for your previous investigations (make a nice long-read out of your master’s thesis, translate your article into different languages and offer it to international media, dive into your photo archives and create a compelling photo report, etc.).

The materials must be published (not just created or pitched) by 15 October 2025. An extension of the deadline will not be possible. The place of publication should be regional or international media platforms.

Previously supported projects can be found here – https://unit.n-ost.org/history-unit/ Please, check this page before applying.

Mentioning the stipend programme is mandatory in the products of stipend holders. All the materials will also be republished on our website.

What about money?

The size of the stipend can vary from 500 to 3000 EUR. This money can be used for honorariums, travel costs, archival access, translations, and other related expenses. We will ask you to provide relevant payment confirmations (invoices, receipts) afterwards to verify the expenses you’ve made.

The stipend will be paid via bank transfer in two installments – 30% after the signing of the contract, and 70% after the submission of the final material along with a short narrative and financial report.

If you are unable to complete the scoped work by the deadline (which means to publish the results), you will be required to return the first installment of the stipend.

Who is eligible to apply?

This call is open to citizens of different countries, as well as to stateless people. Project proposals can be submitted by both individuals and groups, including former stipend recipients. Preference will be given to collaborative projects.

How to apply?

Please apply by filling out this form by July 15, 2025 (23:59 CET).

You can complete the form in any of the project languages (BLR, DE, ENG, PL, UA). Don’t worry about perfect grammar — we’re not judging! And please don’t use ChatGPT to impress us — we’re already impressed by you!

Applicants will be informed no later than July 20, 2025.

If you have any questions, please get in touch: unit@n-ost.org

Unit is a community of journalists and activists working with queer topics. Its goal is to establish long-term and constructive partnerships among journalists, activists, media and organizations working on human rights and marginalized communities.

n-ost is a journalistic network operating with a mission to break national media bubbles by bringing journalists and media from all over EU, Europe’s East and its neighbors to work together.

Human Constanta is a human rights organisation from Belarus founded in 2016. Its work is based on three pillars: analysis, educational programmes and advocacy/lobbying, and is focused on three main areas: digital rights and freedoms, rights of foreigners and stateless persons, anti-discrimination and human rights education.

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The project is funded by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) as part of the Education Agenda on NS-Injustice.