As the calendar flips to May, a fresh wave of media development opportunities is opening up for journalists across the globe—particularly those in Africa. In this post, we have curated a list of 7 media opportunities to look out for in May. These opportunities include fellowships, awards, training programmes and recognition schemes that are designed to strengthen reporting skills, boost career trajectories, and provide international exposure.
What makes these opportunities worth watching is not just the prestige they carry or the financial support they offer, but also the doors they open for professional growth. Some of the most notable programmes this May focus on investigative journalism, data reporting, and regional media excellence. Others offer rare chances to learn from world-class institutions and connect with editors, scholars, and storytellers from different corners of the world.
Journalists, especially those in the early to mid stages of their careers, can find meaningful mentorship and access to powerful networks through these programmes. From fellowships aimed at elevating young African voices to recognition awards that celebrate impactful health reporting, May brings with it options that cater to a wide range of beats and professional interests.
In a time when newsroom resources are stretched thin and the industry is under constant transformation, applying for these opportunities can be a game-changer. Beyond the resume boost, these platforms offer time, resources, and training to pursue ambitious reporting projects—something many journalists rarely have the luxury to do within traditional newsroom settings.
- AFYMP 2025 media fellowships and capacity development: DEADLINE: MAY 8, 2025 — Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) is accepting applications for its 2025 media fellowships. APPLY HERE
- 2025 entries for West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards: DEADLINE: MAY 14, 2025 — The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) seeks entries for the 8th edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA). APPLY HERE
- Full scholarships for journalists interested in investigative editing programme: DEADLINE: MAY 6, 2025 — The International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) has full scholarships for journalists to join the Howard Centre for Investigative Editing Programme at the Arizona State University (ASU). APPLY HERE
- Call for applications: Social Data School at University of Cambridge: DEADLINE: MAY 26, 2025 — The Social Data School (SDS) seeks applications from individuals working in the media, academia, civil society organisations, trade unions, the public sector and industry. APPLY HERE
- 2025 Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism: DEADLINE: JUNE 15, 2025 — Freelance journalists, local reporters and news fixers worldwide can submit entries for the 24th annual Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism. APPLY HERE
- 2025 Banff Mountain book competition open for applications: DEADLINE: JULY 3, 2025 — The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is accepting applications for the 2025 Mountain Book Competition. APPLY HERE
- 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
ROLLING OPPORTUNITIES
Seeking funds for your next media projects? This Rolling Story Grants section is tailored for you.
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- TechCabal seeks tech and business policy correspondent in Abuja: TechCabal is hiring a Tech & Business Policy Correspondent in Abuja to cover the intersection of technology, business and policy in Nigeria and across Africa. APPLY HERE
- Call for Applications: One Young World Journalist of the Year Award: The One Young World Journalist of the Year Award is now open for 2025 applications and nominations. This award highlights the work of young journalists who are fearlessly covering the truth, changing the way stories are reported and empowering others by giving them a voice. APPLY HERE
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Current Conservation seeks submissions; Current Conservation, a not-for-profit quarterly print and online magazine, is accepting articles, illustrations and photo essays. APPLY HERE
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
