20 exciting opportunities for journalists in September

If you’re a media professional searching for fellowships, awards, funding, or career growth this year, there are 20 exciting opportunities for journalists in September.

From global reporting fellowships to academic scholarships, these opportunities cover a wide range of interests, including investigative journalism, environmental reporting, narrative writing, photography, and media leadership.

Many of them offer generous grants, international exposure, or a chance to join world-class conferences and residencies. Some are open only to African or regional applicants, while others welcome journalists and creators from all over the world.

Whether you’re an early-career reporter looking to sharpen your skills or an experienced professional aiming to expand your portfolio, September presents a unique window of opportunity. Don’t miss out on these September deadlines.

1. 2025 scholarship awards for foreign journalists in the US: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 — The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) provides annual scholarships to foreign journalists. APPLY HERE
2. Reuters Institute seeks Director of Journalist Programmes: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 — The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford is accepting applications for the position of Director of Journalist Programmes. APPLY HERE
3. SEJ Awards open for exceptional environmental reporting: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 — The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is now accepting submissions for the 2025 SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment. The awards recognise outstanding journalism on environmental issues, with works published between May 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, eligible for entry. APPLY HERE
4. Associated Press seeks Africa energy transition reporter: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 —The Associated Press, an independent global news organisation dedicated to factual reporting, is seeking a reporter to cover the clean energy transition in Africa. APPLY HERE
5. ICFP 2025 Media Fellowship: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 — Journalists, creators and communicators passionate about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) can apply for this fellowship. APPLY HERE
6. International Conference on Family Planning offers media fellowship: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025  — The ICFP 2025 Media Fellowship offers an opportunity to attend the International Conference on Family Planning in Bogotá, Colombia. APPLY HERE
7. MacDowell fellowship seeks applications from artists: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 — The MacDowell Fellowship is currently open for applications for the Spring Summer 2026 residency season. APPLY HERE
8. Code for Africa is hiring environmental investigative analyst: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 — Code for Africa (CfA) has an immediate vacancy for a full-time environmental investigative analyst. APPLY HERE
9. Nigeria Media Merit Award open for entries: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 — Journalists can submit entries for the 2025 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) programme. APPLY HERE
10. Radcliffe Fellowship opens for applications: DEADLINES: SEPTEMBER 11 AND 30, 2025 — Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Radcliffe Fellowship. APPLY HERE
11. 2025-2026 Ocean Reporting Fellowships open for applications: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 — Applications are now open for the 2025 to 2026 cohort of the Ocean Reporting Network (ORN) reporting fellowship. APPLY HERE
12. MFWA opens applications for Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship in Nigeria: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2025— The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with Co-Develop, is receiving applications for the third cohort of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship Programme. APPLY HERE
13. Fetisov Journalism Awards 2025 open for entries: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 — Submissions are now open for the 2025 Fetisov Journalism Awards. Professional and freelance journalists can apply. APPLY HERE
14. Vital Impacts environmental photography grant 2025: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 — Vital Impacts is offering environmental photography grant to photographers across the globe. VI funds documentary projects on environmental stories. APPLY HERE
15. 34th DAME Awards seek entries in 25 categories: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 — The Trustees of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) Trust Fund have announced the call for entries for the 34th edition of DAME. APPLY HERE
16. The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 — The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship is open to African writers working on fiction and non-fiction. APPLY HERE
17. The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Centre for Scholars and Writers: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 — Applications are open for the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Centre for Scholars and Writers, an international fellowship. APPLY HERE
18. Attendance fellowships for 2025 Science Journalism Forum: Science journalists who want to join the 2025 Science Journalism Forum (SJF25) can apply for Attendance Fellowships. APPLY HERE
19. 2025 UNCA awards open to journalists worldwide: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 — Journalists anywhere in the world can apply for the 29th annual United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) awards. APPLY HERE
20. Call for applications: Hinrich Foundation Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 — Applications are currently open for the Hinrich Foundation Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade, which comes with a US$10,000 prize. APPLY HERE

 

 

MORE MEDIA AND JOURNALISM OPPORTUNITIES FROM I-79 MEDIA

Looking to spice up the new year with brand new goals and ambitions? You can select from the list of applications.

1. Stigler Centre’s Journalists in Residence Programme: DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2025 — The Stigler Centre’s Journalists in Residence Programme provides a transformative learning experience for journalists who want to learn more about political economy. APPLY HERE
2. Apply to study in the UK on a fully funded Chevening Scholarship: DEADLINE: OCTOBER 7, 2025 — Applications are currently open for the fully-funded Chevening Scholarship programme, designed to help candidates study in the UK. APPLY HERE
3. Media Recognition Awards on diabetes, hypertension coverage: DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30, 2025 — The Merck Foundation is seeking applications for its Media Recognition Awards for the coverage of Diabetes and Hypertension. APPLY HERE
4. 2025 AIPS Sport Media Awards open for entries: DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 4, 2025 — Submissions are now open for the 2025 AIPS Sport Media Awards, the most prestigious recognition in international sports journalism. Open to professional journalists and freelancers, the awards honour excellence across photography, writing, audio, and video categories. APPLY HERE
5. Sony World Photography Awards open for applications: JANUARY 2026— Photographers who want to elevate their careers to the next level can apply for the Sony World Photography Awards. APPLY HERE

 

ROLLING OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking funds for your next media projects? This Rolling Story Grants section is tailored for you.

you.

1. Canary Media hiring Copy and Production Editor: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Canary Media is seeking a Copy and Production Editor to join its newsroom, working at the forefront of global climate and clean energy reporting. APPLY HERE
2. Mongabay seeks investigations editor: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Mongabay, an award-winning global environmental news platform, is hiring an Investigations Editor to manage its growing body of cross-border investigative reporting on environmental destruction and accountability. APPLY HERE
3. Multinational TV and print media hiring Bureau Chief in Nigeria: A multinational TV and print media is hiring a Bureau Chief in Nigeria to set up operations in the country. APPLY HERE
4. Pulitzer Centre offering ocean and fisheries reporting grant: The Pulitzer Centre, a nonprofit organisation that supports independent global journalism, is accepting proposals for its ocean and fisheries reporting grant. APPLY HERE
5. Vacancy for Investigative Researcher and Reporter at Mongabay: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Mongabay, an award-winning environmental science and conservation news organisation, is hiring an Investigative Researcher and Reporter. APPLY HERE
6. Naija Feminists Media seeks contributors, writers: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Naija Feminists Media is accepting articles from feminist writers who are interested in sharing original work on feminist topics. APPLY HERE
7. Media interest form for ICFP 2025 programme: This media interest form is for reporters, content creators, journalists, and community reporters committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and family planning globally. APPLY HERE
8. Reporters Without Borders is hiring a data journalist: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is recruiting a Data Journalist to lead the collection and analysis of statistical data for the annual World Press Freedom Index. APPLY HERE
9. Work with Rolling Stone Africa magazine: Rolling Stone Africa (RSA) magazine seeks passionate, curious and driven individuals to help its mission of shaping a new future for music, fashion, politics and youth culture on the continent. APPLY HERE
10. Apply for grants at Fund for Investigative Journalism: The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) is offering grants to journalists for the production of impactful investigative stories. APPLY HERE
11. Zikoko is hiring a writer: Zikoko’s HER Vertical is looking for a creative and driven writer to craft compelling articles, engaging quizzes and manage its newsletter. APPLY HERE
12. Joan Shorenstein fellowship for journalists, policymakers, others: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Applications are open for the Joan Shorenstein Fellowship, aimed at advancing research in the field of media, politics and public policy. APPLY HERE
13. Grant writing course for journalists: Journalists who want to learn the ins and outs of applying for grants can enroll for this course: Grant Writing for Journalists. APPLY HERE
14. Pulitzer Centre seeks proposals on climate change and its effects on workers and work: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Pulitzer Centre has reporting grants for its initiative focused on climate change and its effects on workers and work. APPLY HERE
15. Pulitzer Centre seeks proposals for transparency and governance reporting grants: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Pulitzer Center invites applications from freelance and staff journalists worldwide for its Transparency & Governance Reporting Grants. APPLY HERE
16. Grants for underreported stories in Sub-Saharan Africa:  DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Pulitzer Center is offering grants for underreported stories in Sub-Saharan Africa. Proposals should focus on issues such as water and sanitation, land degradation and coastal erosion, education, maternal health, and climate resilience. APPLY HERE
17. Human rights defenders, journalists, others can apply for incident emergency fund: The Digital Defenders Partnership (DPP) is offering Incident Emergency Fund to human rights defenders, journalists, activists and organisations facing digital threats and attacks. APPLY HERE
18. Pulitzer Center has grants for data journalism projects: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is offering grants for innovative data-driven journalism projects that spotlight underreported issues. APPLY HERE
19. MDIF Ventures wants to invest in growing media companies: The Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) Ventures wants to invest in young and growing media companies with a positive social impact and potential to scale. APPLY HERE
20. Women journalists can apply for IWMF Emergency Fund: Women journalists are invited to apply for the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) Emergency Fund. APPLY HERE

 

STORY PITCHES

Where to submit story pitches? No worries, we’ve got you! Check below for exciting offers.

1. Climate Home News seeks pitches from freelance journalists, others: Climate Home News accepts article pitches from freelance journalists, experts and organisations working on climate policy. APPLY HERE
2. The Harbinger seeks agriculture, agritech, climate impact stories: The Harbinger seeks Agriculture, AgriTech & Climate impact stories from passionate writers, journalists, storytellers and researchers across the globe. APPLY HERE
3. Current Conservation seeks submissions; Current Conservation, a not-for-profit quarterly print and online magazine, is accepting articles, illustrations and photo essays. APPLY HERE
4. Pin Africa seeks pitches from African journalists, photographers and content creators: Pin Africa seeks pitches from African journalists, photographers and content creators passionate about positively elevating stories about the continent. APPLY HERE
5. Accountability Amplifiers Initiative seeks story pitches from campus journalists: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Accountability Amplifiers Initiative seeks story pitches from campus journalists to investigate accountability and transparency issues at the subnational levels. APPLY HERE
6. Contributions needed on climate issues in Africa: Individuals and organisations passionate about shedding light on climate issues in relation to China’s development in Africa can apply for this project. APPLY HERE
7. Call for contributions: Chinese Energy Initiatives in Africa: The China-Global South Project (CGSP) seeks contributors to shed light on energy issues and projects related to Chinese energy initiatives in Africa. APPLY HERE
8. Submit pitches on clean energy supply chains: Climate Home News is currently accepting pitches for story ideas on clean energy supply chains. Journalists from all countries, with at least three years’ experience and fluent spoken and written English are welcome to apply. APPLY HERE
9. The Revelator seeks pitches on environmental issues: The Revelator is actively seeking both expert commentaries and freelance journalism related to environmental issues. APPLY HERE
10. IJNet seeks pitches on resources helpful to journalists: The International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) is accepting pitches related to journalism tools, apps or resources that can help journalists globally. Writers will be compensated US$200 per article. APPLY HERE
11. GIJN seeks contributors to write articles related to investigative journalism: The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) seeks contributors interested in writing articles related to investigative journalism. APPLY HERE
12. Mongabay Africa seeks pitches on climate change and land degradation: Mongabay Africa is offering paid reporting opportunities on stories focused on climate change and land degradation. APPLY HERE
13. BBC Africa Eye seeks pitches for investigative story ideas: BBC Africa Eye is currently accepting pitches for investigative story ideas. BBC Africa Eye is an investigative documentary programme that makes films from across the continent. APPLY HERE
14. The SolutionsPaper seeks stories related to religious and ethnic extremism: The SolutionsPaper is looking for solutions-oriented pitches on stories related to religious and ethnic extremism. APPLY HERE
15. Submit climate solutions pitches: The BBC Future Planet is looking for pitches on climate solutions for its Climate Guardians project. APPLY HERE
16. Social Voices wants pitches on health technologies, health and development: Social Voices invites journalists to submit pitches on how initiatives are tackling a health or development challenge. APPLY HERE
17. Mongabay seeks stories about Africa: Mongabay invites proposals from journalists for conventional news stories, in-depth features, investigative reports, profiles, and case studies. APPLY HERE
18. Rest of World seeks story pitches from Africa: Rest of World covers local stories with global relevance that explore the impact of technology on people and institutions outside the Western bubble. APPLY HERE
19. Journalists can submit pitches on technology in Africa, others: Rest of World invites journalists to submit pitches about technology in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. APPLY HERE