EJN Reporting Fellowship for BBNJ COP1 in New York: Apply by 27 October

Deadline: 27 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific/Niue time

Summary

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network plans to support ten journalists to report from the first High Seas Treaty conference, BBNJ COP1, in New York on 11–22 January 2027. Eligible journalists reporting from Nigeria can apply because Nigeria is a coastal country.

Support includes economy travel, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, ground transport, a per diem and reimbursement of visa costs. The fellowship is contingent on final funding approval from the Bloomberg Ocean Fund.

Requirements

• Be a professional journalist reporting from a coastal country, with ocean-reporting experience and good English.
• Be available to arrive on 9 January and depart on 23 January 2027.
• Provide a CV, story ideas, an editor’s letter committing to publish or broadcast your work, and ocean-related work samples published within the last 12 months.
• Freelancers need support from an established outlet. Non-English samples need English summaries.
• Produce at least two in-depth stories during the fellowship or within two weeks afterwards; meet travel and visa requirements.

Programme schedule and support

• Conference: 11–22 January 2027 in New York; arrive 9 January, attend orientation 10 January and depart 23 January.
• Ten fellowships are planned, with equal representation from the Global North and Global South.
• Support includes economy flights, accommodation, meals, ground transport, travel medical insurance, visa-cost reimbursement and a daily allowance. Fellows arrange their own visas and meet travel requirements.
• A virtual preparatory workshop, ocean-expert orientation, daily media briefings, specialist sessions and editorial guidance support the reporting work.

Application and selection details

• Submit the English-language application with a current CV, clear conference story ideas, an editor’s signed publication/broadcast commitment and recent ocean-reporting samples.
• Samples must carry your byline and have been published in the past twelve months; provide short English summaries for samples in other languages.
• Freelancers must secure the same support letter from an established outlet. Journalists in print, online, radio and television may apply.
• Selection considers ocean/environment reporting experience, continued commitment to journalism, outlet support and diversity of media and geography. Decisions are expected in November 2026.

Reporting commitments

• Publish at least two substantial stories or analyses during the programme or within two weeks after it ends.
• Reporting may appear in any language, but non-English work needs English summaries and at least one complete English translation.
• Published work must acknowledge EJN fellowship support, and fellows must observe the programme’s editorial standards.
• Work submitted as the applicant’s own must meet professional standards; plagiarism or misrepresented AI-generated material can lead to disqualification.

How to apply

Use “Login to Apply” on EJN’s official call. Submit the English-language application and supporting documents before the deadline.