The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) has announced a major opportunity for journalists in Bangladesh: the 2026 Reporting Fellowships to Produce In‑Depth Stories on Climate Change and the Private Sector. This fellowship aims to strengthen high‑quality, deeply reported journalism that explores how industries, businesses, farmers, and workers in Bangladesh are both affected by—and contributing to—climate change.
Application Deadline: June 14, 2026, 11:59 PM (Asia/Dhaka) Accepted Application Languages: English and Bangla
This article provides a full breakdown of the fellowship, including its purpose, themes, eligibility, budget requirements, judging criteria, and application process.
Overview: Why This Fellowship Matters
Bangladesh’s climate reporting has traditionally focused on rural communities and coastal vulnerabilities. However, climate change is also reshaping the private sector, from agriculture to garments to pharmaceuticals.
The uploaded document states:
“A 2025 World Bank study found that 25 million workdays were lost in 2024 due to heat‑related physical and mental health issues.” “Industries in Bangladesh cannot afford to ignore their two‑way relationships with climate change.”
Key issues include:
- Heat stress reducing productivity in factories
- Erratic weather damaging agricultural output
- Environmental degradation caused by industries
- Upcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) impacting textile exports
- Climate‑driven disruptions affecting farmers and fishers
- Growing need for climate‑responsible business practices
EJN’s fellowship supports journalists who can illuminate these complex relationships and highlight solutions emerging across Bangladesh.
Fellowship Themes
Applicants may pitch stories related to:
- Impacts of climate change on Bangladesh’s private sector and how businesses are responding
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rules and their influence
- Climate finance instruments, including carbon markets
- New business opportunities such as renewable energy and clean mobility
- Artificial intelligence and its climate implications
- Corporate greenwashing and accountability
Proposals with fresh, underreported angles are strongly preferred.
Eligibility Requirements
According to the uploaded document:
“Applicants can be from Bangladesh only.” “Applications are open to journalists working in any medium… We welcome applications from early‑career journalists and experienced reporters.”
Eligibility includes:
- Must be based in Bangladesh
- Open to individual journalists or groups (with one lead applicant)
- Open to print, online, TV, radio, and other reporting professionals
- Open to freelancers and staff journalists
- Applications accepted in English or Bangla
- Applicants must disclose any use of generative AI
- Applicants must submit two samples of work
- Applicants must include a letter of support from an editor committing to publish by September 30, 2026
Fellowship Logistics
- Up to 10 fellowships will be awarded
- Fellows will receive funding + mentorship
- Reports must be published by September 2026
- Reports may be produced in English or Bangla (with English translation if needed)
- Applicants must include a risk management plan for safety
- Applicants may include security‑related costs in the budget
Budget Requirements
The uploaded document states:
“We ask that the budgets be reasonable with a ceiling of 1500 EUR.” “Applications with smaller budgets will be more competitive.”
Budget guidelines:
- Maximum budget: €1500
- Must include a detailed Excel budget with justification
- Should focus on reporting costs (travel, accommodation, translation, safety)
- Should not focus on buying new equipment
- Freelancers may include a stipend, but it must be no more than 30% of the total budget
- Applicants must disclose other funding sources, if any
Judging Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
- Relevance to climate change and the private sector
- Originality and fresh angles
- Reach of the publishing outlet
- Impact potential
- Innovative storytelling, including multimedia and data visualization
- Feasibility and timely publication
- Strength of the editor’s support letter
Application Process
To apply:
- Click Apply Now on the EJN website
- Log in or create an account
- Complete the application form
- Upload:
- Detailed budget (Excel)
- Two work samples
- Signed editor support letter
- Submit before the deadline
Important Notes
- Reports must include the tagline: “This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.”
- EJN and partners retain rights to edit, publish, broadcast, and distribute the stories
- Late applications will not be considered
Apply here
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