Deadline: June 17, 2026
Applications are open for the EJN COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship for Journalists 2026. The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is pleased to announce the COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries interested in covering the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31). Hosted this year by Türkiye, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Antalya from November 9-20, 2026.
Now in its 19th iteration since its launch in 2007, the CCMP has brought more than 550 journalists from low- and middle-income countries to attend and report on the annual UN climate talks. This has enabled journalists from around the world to cover the climate negotiations for their home audiences, while benefiting from working alongside knowledgeable media trainers and gaining a multifaceted understanding of how nations are responding—or failing to respond—to climate change’s global impact.
This year, for the first time, they are expanding CCMP Fellowship eligibility to include independent creator journalists who are not affiliated with a professional news outlet but use journalistic practices and content creation techniques to deliver climate-related coverage directly to audiences via social media and other digital platforms.
Benefits
All CCMP Fellows will travel to Antalya to attend the full two weeks of the UN climate negotiations in November 2026, with specific arrival and departure dates to be determined. Fellowship support includes:
- Operational and logistical support: The CCMP will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transportation costs related to fellowship participation. Organizers will also facilitate the press accreditation process and provide logistical support relating to the trip. Please note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the Fellow’s individual responsibility, though the CCMP will reimburse visa costs.
- Accommodation: CCMP organizers will arrange accommodation for all Fellows in single occupancy rooms, if possible; however applicants should be comfortable with the possibility of shared housing.
- Financial support: Selected Fellows will be provided a small stipend to offset the cost of meals and other incidental expenses related to the fellowship.
- Reporting resources and editorial support: Fellows will be guided by EJN trainers, who are senior journalists with experience covering UN climate summits. Prior to the start of COP31, Fellows will receive informational resources and technical support to help prepare for reporting at the conference, including a pre-COP virtual workshop to meet the trainers, discuss reporting opportunities, and ask any questions. Once in Antalya, Fellows will participate in an in-person orientation session with seasoned climate journalists and experts on the key issues at this COP and specially designed activities on the ground, including daily briefings and 1-1 discussions with mentors. They will have access to the CCMP Trello board with information and resources and will be part of a CCMP group chat on a messaging platform to share information, discuss and ask questions. Fellows will also be encouraged to seek feedback from EJN trainers on story ideas and drafts throughout the fellowship.
- Opportunities for interviews: Fellowship organizers will arrange group interviews with high-level officials and subject matter experts.
- Opportunities for networking: Fellows will be encouraged to attend networking mixers with other journalists and participate in cohort-building activities including group meals and/or local excursions. Selected Fellows may also be invited to participate as speakers or moderators at official and/or unofficial side events taking place during the summit.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the fellowship, the applicant must:
- Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from an eligible country in the list.
- Must not have attended a UNFCCC climate COP before in person—either self-funded or as part of a fellowship.
- Applicants must be available and willing to travel to Antalya, Türkiye, to attend the full two weeks of COP31 in person.
- Have a good command of the English language.
- Have previous experience reporting on climate change issues and clearly indicate the kinds of stories you might pursue during the conference.
- Commit to participate in all CCMP Fellowship activities.
- Share an up-to-date resume/CV.
- Share a video, no more than 2 minutes in length, explaining what you will be reporting on at COP31.
- Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor who can confirm that your news reports will be published or broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers are welcome to apply but must provide a signed letter of support from a media outlet for which they intend to report, which commits to publishing the stories they produce as part of this fellowship. Applicants should carefully consider their chosen outlet’s reach, article format, audience and publication schedule to ensure it aligns with the rigorous and fast-paced nature of reporting from COP31.
- Provide a minimum of three recent, relevant and journalistic work samples on climate change topics that were published between May 15, 2025, to June 15, 2026, which can be uploaded as documents or web links. Stories should be focused on specific climate change topics relevant to the applicant’s country—broad or general stories will be less competitive. Stories can be in any language as long as they are accompanied by a short English synopsis.
Judging Criteria
They are looking for applicants who:
- Have demonstrated experience covering climate change, climate policy and other climate-related environmental topics;
- Have developed a clear, specific and detailed coverage plan for the COP that includes potential story ideas;
- Are able to provide an estimated number of stories they’ll produce during the fellowship;
- Have a relationship with an established media house and a signed letter of support from an editor agreeing to publish or broadcast work produced at the COP.
Application
For more information, visit EJN COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship.
