23 media opportunities for journalists in 2025

Without mincing words, 2025 promises a wealth of opportunities for journalists and media professionals to hone their skills, broaden their horizons, and make impactful contributions to the media industry. As such, this list of these 23 media opportunities for journalists in 2025 offers a unique chance for professionals to enhance their skills, broaden their impact, and engage with critical global issues through specialised programmes and fellowships.

These opportunities not only provide access to specialised training and resources but also foster collaboration among journalists across regions and disciplines. From programmes emphasising investigative reporting to those spotlighting environmental and human rights issues, the diverse offerings available in 2025 cater to a wide range of interests and career stages.

For aspiring journalists, early-career professionals, and seasoned veterans alike, these opportunities serve as platforms to amplify their voices and make meaningful changes in their communities.

With the rapid advancements in technology, the growing importance of ethical storytelling, and the urgency of addressing global issues, journalists have an unprecedented chance to engage with programmes, fellowships, and opportunities that support their work and elevate their craft. CHECK THEM BELOW.

FASPE: Fellowship for journalism students, early-career journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 2, 2025 — Journalism students and early-career journalists can apply for the 2025 Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). APPLY HERE
2025 polio press fellowship for individual reporting to Africa: DEADLINE: JANUARY 3, 2025 — The United Nations Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 Polio Press Fellowship for Individual Reporting to Africa. APPLY HERE
Journalists can apply for extreme heat reporting training: DEADLINE: JANUARY 6, 2025 — Journalists with at least one year of reporting experience can apply for the extreme heat reporting training by Climate Resilience for All. APPLY HERE
Grants for NGOs advancing democracy: DEADLINE: JANUARY 7, 2025 — Non-governmental groups advancing democracy through their work can submit proposals to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). APPLY HERE
Erasmus Mundus Journalism programme open for applications: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — Undergraduate students from around the world can apply for the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Journalism, Media and Globalisation. APPLY HERE
Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence for African journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — African journalists publishing in African-led media houses can apply for the Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence (ETMA). APPLY HERE
2024 Katherine Schneider Journalism Award on disability reporting: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — The National Centre on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) is accepting entries for the 2024 Katherine Schneider Journalism Award on disability reporting. APPLY HERE
Gary Corcoran Prize for disability reporting open to student journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — Student journalists can apply for the 2024 Gary Corcoran Student Prize for Excellence in disability coverage. APPLY HERE
Safeguarding Women’s Voices project open to newsrooms: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — Newsrooms promoting the safety of women journalists and developing gender-responsive safety policies can apply for this opportunity. APPLY HERE
The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling: DEADLINE: JANUARY 12, 2025 — The 2025 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling seeks entries from English-speaking journalists working in Africa. APPLY HERE
UN ocean conference 2025 fellowship for journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2025 — Internews’ Earth Journalism Network has an in-person fellowship to support selected journalists’ attendance at and reporting from the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). APPLY HERE
2025 Fellowship for Advancing Science Journalism in Africa and the Middle East: DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2025 — Journalists can apply for this Fellowship for Advancing Science Journalism in Africa and the Middle East. APPLY HERE
AWiM seeks migration story pitches: DEADLINE: JANUARY 24, 2025 — African Women in Media (AWiM) is accepting pitches on migration’s role in Africa’s growth and development. APPLY HERE
2025 Hillman Prizes for Journalism open for entries: DEADLINE: JANUARY 30, 2025 — The Sidney Hillman Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Hillman Prizes for Journalism. APPLY HERE
TRACE Prize for investigative reporting on commercial bribery: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The TRACE Foundation is accepting entries for the 2025 Prize for Investigative Reporting: Uncovering Commercial Bribery. APPLY HERE
Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in economics, business journalism: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship offers experienced journalists the opportunity to enhance their understanding of business, economics, finance and technology. APPLY HERE
Fellowships for 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) has fellowships for journalists from the Global South and those from historically underrepresented groups. APPLY HERE
2025 Pan African re/insurance journalism awards: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — Journalists across Africa can submit entries for the 2025 Pan African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards. APPLY HERE
World Press Institute (WPI) fellowship for international journalists: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2025 — International journalists can submit applications for the 2025 World Press Institute (WPI) fellowship programme. APPLY HERE
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2025 — UNESCO is accepting nominations for the 2025 edition of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. APPLY HERE
Global Shining Light Award open for submissions: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2025 — The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is accepting submissions for the Global Shining Light Award. APPLY HERE
Scholarships for international media studies master’s programme in Germany: DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2025 — Journalists can apply for the next class of the International Media Studies master’s degree programme in Bonn, Germany. APPLY HERE
Journalists can apply for Global Business Journalism programme: DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2025* — The Global Business Journalism (GBJ) programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China seeks applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. APPLY HERE

ROLLING STORY GRANTS & VACANCIES

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

Tarbell Fellowship for early-career journalists interested in artificial intelligence: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Tarbell Fellowship is a one-year remote programme for early-career journalists interested in covering artificial intelligence. APPLY HERE
Grants available at Fund for Investigative Journalism: The Fund for Investigative Journalism offers grants and other support for the production of high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact. APPLY HERE
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kekere Storytellers Fund seeks African storytellers: DEADLINE: ROLLING — African storytellers passionate about changing the prevailing stereotypical narratives about Africa can apply for Africa No Filter’s Kekere Storytellers Fund. APPLY HERE
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
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
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.

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
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
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
The Revelator seeks pitches on environmental issues: The Revelator is actively seeking both expert commentaries and freelance journalism related to environmental issues. APPLY HERE
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
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
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
Submit investigative stories to Kara House: Kara House, a new media organisation, is currently accepting investigative stories that resonate with the society. APPLY HERE
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
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
Submit climate solutions pitches: The BBC Future Planet is looking for pitches on climate solutions for its Climate Guardians project. APPLY HERE
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
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
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
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