Deadline: October 27, 2026
Applications are open for the EJN Reporting Fellowships 2026 for Journalists to Cover BBNJ COP1 in New York City, USA. To ensure rich and diverse coverage of the BBNJ COP worldwide, Internews’ Earth Journalism Network’s (EJN) is pleased to announce a new three-year program that will offer fellowships to journalists interested in attending the BBNJ COP1 and providing coverage of this historic agreement.
For the BBNJ COP1 in 2027, they plan to award fellowships to 10 journalists, with equal representation from the Global North and Global South. Fellows will travel to New York City to attend the full duration of the BBNJ COP1, which will take place from January 11-22, 2027, with arrival planned for January 9 and departure on January 23. An Orientation Day, organized by EJN staff, will take place on January 10.
Benefits
- EJN 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. Note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the fellow’s individual responsibility, though EJN will reimburse visa costs.
- Fellows will also receive a per diem to cover daily expenses during their time in New York City.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the fellowship, the applicant must:
- Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a coastal country.
- Have previous experience reporting on ocean issues (examples include IUU fishing, MPAs, blue economy, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, etc).
- Clearly indicate the kinds of stories they will seek to pursue while covering the conference.
- Be available for the conference in New York City, arriving on January 9, 2027 and departing on January 23.
- Have a good command of the English language.
- Share an up-to-date resume/CV.
- Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor who can confirm that your news reports and stories will be published or broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers are welcome to apply but must provide a letter of support from a media outlet for which they intend to report.
- Provide recent, relevant and journalistic work samples which focus on ocean issues. These can be uploaded as documents or web links. Stories can be in any language as long as they are accompanied by a short English synopsis. Stories must have clear bylines and should have been published in the last 12 months.
Judging Criteria
They are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrated experience covering ocean and other environmental topics;
- Long-term commitment to the field of journalism and in continuing to report on ocean topics;
- A relationship with an established media house and possession of a signed letter of support from an editor/producer/supervisor agreeing to publish or broadcast any work produced during the fellowship.
Application
For more information, visit EJN Reporting Fellowships.
