Deadline: March 1, 2026
Applications are open for the ICFJ Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026. The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards, presented by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that runs Wikipedia, celebrates the contributions of journalists in Africa who prioritize accuracy, depth and inclusion in their reporting.
The awards recognize the essential role journalists play in creating well-researched articles that volunteer editors can use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. Their work helps to grow the knowledge base on one of the world’s most visited websites, so that it is more reflective of the topics, events and people that influence the understanding of culture and history through the ages.
Awards
- First-place award recipient will receive USD $2,000, a certificate of recognition and an opportunity to join Wikimedia volunteers at one of their Community Conferences in 2026. While there, the award recipient will have the opportunity to share more about their experiences as a journalist, and some of the challenges and opportunities they see in their work.
- Second-place award-recipient will receive USD $1,000, and a certificate of recognition.
- Special Mentions: One special mention will be given to one additional nominee by the ICFJ and Wikimedia Foundation.
- All awardees (including special mentions) and their work will be celebrated publicly, including in the media, on the Wikimedia Foundation and ICFJ’s websites and social media channels.
Eligibility
- Journalists must be citizens of a country in Africa and primarily reside on the African continent.
- Articles should be about the African continent and relate to issues about: Women and/or Youth and Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sports (see more information below about the award categories). Submissions must include published work in reliable publications and meet high standards of journalistic integrity.
- Articles should have been published between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
- Articles should be published in English or French and they ask French submissions to include an English translation.
- The articles should be your own original work, with in-depth analysis and/or investigative reporting.
- African Wikipedia editors acknowledge that online written sources are much more “accessible and easy to verify.” Proof of the article’s publication should be supplied in the form of a link/URL.
- Articles that are submitted must be accurate and well researched, without seeking to misinform or misrepresent facts. Objective, well researched articles ensure that the information on Wikipedia is accurate.
- Because ICFJ and the Wikimedia Foundation respect human rights, they are looking for articles that are developed with the utmost respect for people. They seek journalists who demonstrate ethical conduct and adherence to journalistic standards.
- Wikipedia promotes access to free knowledge. Because of this, articles must be made available for viewing without a paywall. If your article is behind a paywall and also available in full elsewhere online, that is acceptable.
- You can only submit one nomination for this recognition.
Application
For more information, visit ICFJ.
