The Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship 2026 is now accepting applications from journalists in ODA-recipient countries who are interested in producing powerful, fact-based journalism about local solutions to global crises, with a particular focus on gender.

Launched by the Equality Fund in partnership with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and African Women in Media (AWiM), the inaugural fellowship is designed to support journalists who are reporting directly from the communities affected by major social, economic, environmental, political and human rights challenges.

The programme will select up to five journalists for a fellowship running from January to September 2027, providing a CAD $4,000 stipend, up to CAD $500 in reporting expenses, professional learning opportunities, safety training, expert-led online sessions and an in-person convening with travel expenses covered.

For journalists looking for opportunities to strengthen their reporting, develop an important investigative or solutions-focused story, expand their professional networks and highlight community-led responses to global challenges, the fellowship provides a structured platform to undertake this work.

About the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship

The inaugural Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship was created in response to the need for strong, independent and fact-based journalism at a time when communities around the world are experiencing interconnected crises.

The programme is particularly interested in stories that move beyond simply documenting problems and instead explore local solutions to global crises. Its central focus is on identifying and amplifying initiatives, people and approaches within communities that are responding to challenges and creating meaningful change.

The fellowship’s core objective is for each journalist to produce and publish at least one story focused on local solutions to a global crisis, with gender serving as an important lens.

The Equality Fund describes the fellowship as an opportunity to support journalists who are reporting from their own communities and whose work can help bring locally developed solutions into wider public view.

What Does the Fellowship Focus On?

The fellowship is not limited to one specific type of crisis. Applicants can explore a broad range of issues affecting communities around the world.

Potential areas include:

• Climate change and environmental challenges
• Gender-based violence
• Authoritarianism
• Anti-rights movements
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Economic injustice
• War and armed conflict
• Human rights
• Democracy and civic space
• Other interconnected global crises where communities are developing locally relevant responses.

The emphasis, however, is not simply on reporting the existence of these crises. Fellows are expected to investigate and report on solutions emerging from within affected communities.

This means a strong fellowship proposal could potentially examine how women, grassroots organisations, community leaders, activists, local institutions, first responders, farmers, entrepreneurs or other community actors are responding to major challenges.

Key Objective of the Fellowship

The central objective of the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship is straightforward: each fellow should produce at least one published story about local solutions to global crises, with a focus on gender.

The fellowship therefore combines financial support with professional development and editorial opportunities.

Rather than functioning solely as a training programme, the fellowship is structured around the production of journalism. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop their proposed story while receiving support, mentorship, training and access to experts throughout the programme.

The programme is scheduled to run from January through September 2027, with six months of programming followed by an additional three months for fellows to finalise publication.

What Does the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship Offer?

Successful fellows will receive a combination of financial, professional and networking support.

1. CAD $4,000 Fellowship Stipend

Each selected journalist will receive a CAD $4,000 stipend.

The stipend is intended to support fellows during their participation in the programme and enable them to dedicate time and resources to developing their journalism project.

According to the official guidelines, freelance journalists who are already being paid a publication fee by their publishing outlet may retain that publication fee in addition to the fellowship stipend. Full-time staff journalists, meanwhile, will be required to notify their newsroom about the fellowship stipend.

2. Up to CAD $500 for Reporting Expenses

In addition to the stipend, fellows can receive up to CAD $500 in reporting expenses.

This additional support can help facilitate the practical reporting process associated with developing and producing the fellowship story.

For journalists reporting from their own communities, this may provide useful additional resources for gathering information, conducting interviews and carrying out field reporting connected to their proposed project.

3. Six Months of Fellowship Programming

The core fellowship programming will run for approximately six months.

The programme is scheduled to begin in January 2027, followed by an additional three-month period during which fellows can finalise their publications.

Overall, the fellowship programme and publication period will run through September 2027.

4. Monthly Online Meetings

Fellows will participate in monthly online meetings featuring journalists and experts.

These sessions are designed to expose fellows to different areas of journalism practice, reporting, ethics, safety and coverage of complex global issues.

The programme’s listed contributors include:

• Nina Lakhani, a climate journalist associated with The Guardian and Drilled.
• Kelly Kimball, a journalism and ethics professor at the City University of New York.
• Professionals involved in journalist safety training from the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF).
• Experts associated with the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

These sessions can provide fellows with opportunities to develop their professional knowledge while working on their fellowship projects.

5. Journalism Safety Training

Safety is an important component of the fellowship.

Selected journalists will receive safety-related training involving organisations working in the field of journalist protection, including the International Women’s Media Foundation and Freedom of the Press Foundation.

This is particularly relevant for journalists covering sensitive subjects such as conflict, human rights violations, gender-based violence, political repression or other challenging environments.

6. One In-Person Convening

The fellowship will also include one in-person convening.

The specific location and timing of the gathering have not yet been determined, but travel expenses will be covered.

The convening will give fellows an opportunity to meet in person, build professional relationships and exchange experiences arising from their reporting work.

Who Can Apply for the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship?

The fellowship is intended for working journalists in ODA-recipient countries.

Importantly, applicants do not have to be employed full-time by a traditional newsroom.

The programme is open to:

• Full-time journalists.
• Independent journalists.
• Freelance journalists.
• Journalists working across different media platforms.
• Journalists producing text-based reporting.
• Digital journalists.
• Video journalists.
• Audio journalists.

The fellowship specifically encourages journalists to report on their own communities and geographies.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

The official 2026 application guidelines provide additional requirements that applicants should carefully review before applying.

Applicants must have at least three years of journalism experience.

Candidates are required to demonstrate a minimum of three years of journalism experience.

Applicants should therefore be able to show a sustained track record of journalistic work rather than relying solely on academic qualifications or an interest in journalism.

Applicants must be located in an ODA-recipient country

Applicants should be located in an ODA-recipient country and should be reporting on communities in those countries.

The fellowship uses the OECD framework for determining ODA-recipient countries.

Applicants must provide three journalism samples.

Candidates are required to submit three strong journalism samples demonstrating a range of relevant work.

Applicants should therefore select portfolio pieces that best demonstrate their reporting ability, storytelling skills, editorial judgement and experience covering issues relevant to the fellowship.

English proficiency is required.

The official application guidelines state that applicants must be fluent in English, which is the Equality Fund’s working language.

Applicants must be able to participate in meetings in Eastern Standard Time.

Because the fellowship includes online programming, applicants must be able to accommodate meetings taking place during daytime hours in Eastern Standard Time.

Prospective applicants should therefore consider the time-zone difference between their location and Eastern Standard Time before applying.

Applicants need a bank account capable of receiving international transfers.

Applicants should have access to a bank account capable of accepting international Electronic Wire Transfers.

This requirement is important because the fellowship includes financial support.

Gender and Diversity Eligibility

The fellowship is designed to be inclusive.

The original fellowship announcement states that applications are welcomed from:

• Women
• Men
• LGBTQI+ people

The detailed application guidelines further state that women, non-binary and trans people are encouraged to apply. The guidelines also reference the Equality Fund’s values around equality and diversity across areas including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and disability.

This means applicants do not need to belong to one particular gender category to be considered.

Eligible Countries and Regions

The Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship is open to journalists based in ODA-recipient countries.

The opportunity therefore has a broad geographical scope covering eligible countries across the Global South rather than being restricted to one particular region.

Applicants should verify that their country appears on the relevant OECD DAC list of ODA recipients before submitting an application.

For African journalists, this makes the fellowship particularly relevant to journalists working in eligible African countries, while the programme also extends to eligible countries in other parts of the Global South.

What Kind of Story Should Applicants Propose?

One of the most important aspects of the fellowship is the proposed journalism story.

The programme is looking for reporting that explores local solutions to global crises, particularly through a gender-focused perspective.

Applicants should therefore think beyond simply identifying a problem.

A strong concept could explore questions such as

1. What major crisis is affecting the community?
2. How is the crisis affecting women or other groups differently?
3. What local individuals, organisations or communities are responding?
4. What practical solution has emerged?
5. What evidence exists that the approach is working or producing meaningful results?
6. What barriers are limiting the solution?
7. What lessons could other communities learn from the experience?

Potential stories could focus on women farmers developing responses to climate-related challenges, community-led responses to gender-based violence, local approaches to economic injustice, grassroots responses to conflict or initiatives protecting human rights.

The programme’s emphasis on local solutions means applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed story and the community in which they work.

Editorial Independence

An important feature of the fellowship is that fellows will retain complete editorial independence.

This means journalists remain responsible for their journalistic work and editorial decisions.

The official guidelines also state that fellows retain intellectual property rights over their work, while the Equality Fund retains the right to publish or reproduce the work for purposes of promoting the fellowship.

This distinction is important for journalists who are concerned about ownership and editorial control when participating in externally funded journalism programmes.

Editorial Commitment From a News Outlet

The fellowship uses a phased application process.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide a letter of editorial commitment from a news outlet.

This demonstrates that there is an intended publication pathway for the proposed journalism.

For applicants who are self-publishing, the guidelines indicate that the editorial commitment may, in some cases, be replaced by a fact-checking plan.

Applicants should therefore think carefully about how their proposed story will ultimately reach an audience.

AI Use in the Application and Journalism Process

Applicants should pay particular attention to the fellowship’s rules concerning artificial intelligence.

According to the official fellowship announcement:

• AI use is not permitted in the proposal and application.
• AI use during the journalistic process must be disclosed to the programme.
• Such use must be approved in advance.

This is an important requirement for applicants preparing their submissions and developing their fellowship stories.

Applicants should read the official guidelines carefully and follow the programme’s requirements rather than assuming that general AI policies from other journalism organisations apply.

Additional Expectations for Fellows

Beyond producing a story, fellows should be prepared to follow responsible journalism practices.

The application guidelines state that fellows should be willing to:

• Follow trauma-informed reporting best practices.
• Conduct community roundtables where possible.
• Maintain editorial independence.
• Work collaboratively with the fellowship community.
• Participate in the programme’s online meetings and learning activities.

These expectations reflect the fellowship’s focus on reporting complex issues involving communities that may be experiencing significant social, political, economic or humanitarian pressures.

Fellowship Timeline

The Equality Fund expects the programme to follow this general timeline:

The official application guidelines specify that applications close on November 8, 2026 at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

What Applicants Should Prepare

Before applying, prospective candidates should prepare the required materials and information.

A useful application preparation checklist includes:

1. Confirm country eligibility
   Verify that your country is included among ODA-recipient countries.
2. Document your journalism experience
   Ensure you can demonstrate at least three years of relevant journalism experience.
3. Select three strong journalism samples
   Choose work that demonstrates your reporting range and ability to cover relevant issues.
4. Develop a clear story concept
   Identify a compelling local solution to a global crisis and explain how gender is connected to the story.
5. Identify the community you will report on
   The fellowship expects journalists to report on their own communities and geographies.
6. Consider your publication pathway
   If you work with a news organisation, consider how you can secure an editorial commitment. Freelancers and self-publishing journalists should review the alternative requirements carefully.
7. Review the AI rules
   Applicants should understand the restrictions on AI use in the application and the disclosure and approval requirements for AI use during the journalistic process.
8. Check your availability
   Make sure you can participate in online meetings during the required Eastern Standard Time hours.
9. Confirm your banking arrangements
   Ensure your bank can receive international electronic wire transfers.
10. Review the official application guidelines
    Applicants should read the full guidelines before submitting their application.

Why This Fellowship Is Relevant to Journalists in the Global South

The fellowship is specifically designed around journalists reporting from communities in ODA-recipient countries.

That local perspective is central to the programme. Instead of relying exclusively on international correspondents or external observers, the fellowship seeks to support journalists who already understand the communities they are covering.

This can be particularly important when reporting on subjects such as gender inequality, climate change, economic injustice, conflict, human rights and gender-based violence, where local knowledge and relationships can provide important context.

The programme’s focus on solutions journalism also provides an opportunity to investigate how communities are responding to difficult circumstances rather than focusing exclusively on the challenges themselves.

About the Fellowship Partners

The Equality Fund is implementing the journalism fellowship in partnership with two organisations with experience in journalism and media advocacy.

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression

The Equality Fund has partnered with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), an organisation focused on supporting freedom of expression and journalism.

The partnership brings an additional journalism and press-freedom dimension to the fellowship.

African Women in Media

The fellowship also partners with African Women in Media (AWiM).

AWiM’s involvement is particularly relevant to the programme’s focus on gender equality, journalism and media systems across Africa and beyond.

Fellowship Financial and Professional Benefits at a Glance

Successful applicants can expect:

• CAD $4,000 stipend
• Up to CAD $500 for reporting expenses
• Six months of structured programming
• Three additional months to finalise publication
• Monthly online meetings
• Access to experienced journalists and experts
• Journalism and ethics learning
• Journalist safety training
• One in-person convening
• Travel expenses for the in-person convening
• Editorial independence
• Retention of intellectual property rights over fellows’ work, subject to the Equality Fund’s stated publication/reproduction rights
• Opportunity to produce and publish at least one major story focused on local solutions to global crises and gender.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Equality Fund Global Journalism Fellowship 2026 is November 8, 2026, at midnight Eastern Standard Time. The official application guidelines also describe the closing time as 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in the application instructions, so applicants should submit well before the final day to avoid any time-zone or technical issues.

Because the programme is competitive and requires several supporting elements, including journalism samples and potentially an editorial commitment, applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their submissions early.

APPLY HERE

How to Apply for the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship

Interested journalists should review the official application guidelines and submit their applications through the Equality Fund’s designated application process.

Applicants should carefully review all eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, editorial expectations and AI-related rules before submitting their application.

Visit HERE for more information about the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship 2026.

Conclusion

The Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship 2026 provides an opportunity for experienced journalists in ODA-recipient countries to receive financial support, professional development, safety training and networking opportunities while producing journalism focused on local solutions to global crises through a gender lens.

The programme is open to journalists working across text, digital, video and audio platforms, including both full-time and independent freelance journalists. Successful fellows will receive a CAD $4,000 stipend, up to CAD $500 in reporting expenses, access to monthly expert-led sessions, safety training and an in-person convening with travel expenses covered.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the additional requirements: a minimum of three years of journalism experience, three strong journalism samples, English fluency, availability for meetings in Eastern Standard Time and the ability to receive international electronic wire transfers. The programme also places strong emphasis on reporting from journalists’ own communities and maintaining editorial independence.

With applications closing on November 8, 2026, eligible journalists who have a strong story idea about a locally driven response to a major global challenge can review the official guidelines and prepare their application for consideration for the 2027 fellowship cohort.

For more global Fellowship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.