8 media opportunities closing in February

This list of 8 media opportunities closing in February 2026 presents timely chances for journalists, writers and media professionals to gain recognition, build skills and advance their careers. It features a strong mix of awards, fellowships, training programmes and creative competitions that support impactful storytelling, press freedom and innovation in journalism.

These opportunities span diverse areas, including investigative and solutions-focused reporting, digital storytelling, media accountability, communications and newsroom capacity building.

For members of the I-79 Media Consults community, February is an important application window to watch closely and Staying ahead of these deadlines can set a strong tone for the rest of 2026.

1. 2026 courage in journalism awards nomination: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2026 — Nominations are open for the International Women Media Fund (IWMF)’s 2026 Courage in Journalism Awards. APPLY HERE
2. New Media Writing Prize open for entries: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2026 — The New Media Writing Prize (NMWP) is accepting entries for its 2025/2026 competition. APPLY HERE
3. 2026 One World Media Awards open for applications: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 9, 2026 — Journalists can submit entries for the 2026 One World Media Awards, which celebrate underreported stories from around the world. APPLY HERE
4. CJID’s capacity building on platform accountability reporting fellowship: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 13, 2026 — The Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) invites journalists to apply for this three-day capacity building on platform accountability reporting fellowship. APPLY HERE
5. 2026 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2026 — Nominations are open for the 2026 edition of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. APPLY HERE
6. YouthHubAfrica media internship programme open for applications: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 18, 2026 — YouthHubAfrica Media Internship Programme (MIP) is open to Abuja-based young creatives who want to build in-demand 21st-century digital media and employability skills. APPLY HERE
7. 2026 Club of Rome communications fellowship: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 20, 2026 —Applications are currently open for the 2026 Club of Rome Communications Fellowship. APPLY HERE
8. Solutions Journalism Network Awards open for nominations: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 27, 2026 — Journalists can submit entries for the Solutions Journalism Network Awards, which honour and celebrate outstanding examples of solutions journalism from around the world. APPLY HERE

 

ROLLING OPPORTUNITIES

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

you.

1. Mongabay is hiring Copy Editor: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Mongabay, an award-winning environmental science and conservation news organisation, is hiring a Copy Editor. APPLY HERE
2. Zikoko is hiring a Citizen Reporter: Zikoko, a publication of Big Cabal Media (BCM), wants an experienced Citizen Reporter to join its team. APPLY HERE
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
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. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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. MIT Technology Review seeks pitches from freelance writers: MIT Technology Review is accepting pitches from freelance writers of all skill levels and from all backgrounds. APPLY HERE
2. Call for pitches: Climate Home News seeks stories on mineral supply chains: Journalists with at least three years’ experience can pitch original story ideas about the trends shaping supply chains for energy transition minerals and how to address their sustainability challenges. APPLY HERE
3. 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
4. Current Conservation seeks submissions; Current Conservation, a not-for-profit quarterly print and online magazine, is accepting articles, illustrations and photo essays. APPLY HERE
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. The Revelator seeks pitches on environmental issues: The Revelator is actively seeking both expert commentaries and freelance journalism related to environmental issues. APPLY HERE
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. Submit climate solutions pitches: The BBC Future Planet is looking for pitches on climate solutions for its Climate Guardians project. APPLY HERE
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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