9 media opportunities closing in December 2025

Looking to elevate your work, sharpen your skills or access global platforms for professional growth as the year rounds off? There are 9 media opportunities closing in December 2025 that should be on your radar.

These fellowships, grants, awards, and career positions are designed to support journalists, researchers, storytellers and media professionals committed to impactful reporting.

These opportunities cater to a wide range of interests, including journalism innovation, democracy, investigative reporting, human rights and storytelling that uplifts underrepresented voices. Many of them provide funding, academic exposure, specialised training or platforms to develop new ideas that can shape the future of the media industry.

They are ideal for mid-career journalists, early-career reporters, researchers, human rights advocates, and creators pursuing deeper impact through their work. If you’re interested, now is the right time to prepare and submit strong applications.

1. Knight-Wallace Fellowships accepting applications from journalists: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2025 — The Knight-Wallace Fellowships seek applications from mid-career journalists with at least five years of experience. APPLY HERE
2. Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2025 — Applications are now open for the Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation. APPLY HERE
3. John S. Knight journalism fellowship open for applications: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 3, 2025 — John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships offer journalists an opportunity to spend an academic year at Stanford University reimagining the future of journalism. APPLY HERE
4. Al Jazeera Fellowship open for applications: DECEMBER 4, 2025 — Full-time journalists and researchers with a background in media or social sciences can apply for the Al Jazeera Fellowship. APPLY HERE
5. IWMF’s Kim Wall Memorial Fund for women, nonbinary journalists: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 7, 2025 — The International Women Media Foundation (IWMF)’s Kim Wall Memorial Fund will provide $5,000 grants to journalists. APPLY HERE
6. Vacancy: Programme Officer for SRHR projects in Abuja: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 12, 2025 — Lawyers Alert, an organisation working to promote human rights, seeks a passionate and experienced Programme Officer based in Abuja to support its Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) projects. APPLY HERE
7. Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Programme open for applications: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2025 — Democracy activists, scholars and journalists can apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Programme in Washington, DC. APPLY HERE
8. The Stringer Foundations’ reporting grants: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2025 — Investigative journalists worldwide working on high-impact reporting projects will be awarded grants by The Stringer Foundation. APPLY HERE
9. Excellence in Tax Reporting Award to open in December: The Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award will be open for applications on December 31, 2025. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee designed the award to recognise and reward journalists and online influencers who provide balanced, accurate and impactful reporting on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms. 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. 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
2. UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund open for proposals: DEADLINE: JANUARY 2, 2026 — The Global Media Defence Fund of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is accepting proposals. APPLY HERE
3. Applications open for 2026 FASPE Fellowship: DEADLINE: JANUARY 4, 2026 — Applications are now open for the 2026 Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). APPLY HERE
4. Fellowship for health editors in Africa: DEADLINE: JANUARY 6, 2026 — Wikimidea and Wiki Health Africa is accepting applications for this fellowship for health editors in Africa. APPLY HERE
5. 2026 Tarbell Fellowship for journalists interested in artificial intelligence: DEADLINE: JANUARY 7, 2026 — The 2026 Tarbell Fellowship, a one-year programme for journalists interested in covering artificial intelligence, is now open for applications. APPLY HERE
6. Knight Science Journalism fellowships open for applications: DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2025 — Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) is accepting applications for the Academic-Year and the Africa and Middle East Fellowships. APPLY HERE
7. 2026 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling: DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2026 — Journalists in Africa can submit their work for the 2026 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling. APPLY HERE
8. Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Journalism, Media and Globalisation open for applications: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2026 — Applications are currently open for the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Journalism, Media and Globalisation. APPLY HERE
9. Sigma Awards 2026 open for entries: DEADLINE: JANUARY 11, 2026 — Journalists can apply for the 2026 Sigma Awards, which celebrate the best data journalism from around the world. APPLY HERE
10. 2026 INMA Global Media Awards open for entries: DEADLINE: JANUARY 30, 2026 — The INMA Global Media Awards will reward business practices that sustain news media and journalism. The awards recognise excellence in engaging and funding news brands, as well as the outstanding journalism they produce. APPLY HERE
11. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards 2026: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2026 — The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) is accepting entries for the Dr Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards 2026. APPLY HERE
12. 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

 

ROLLING OPPORTUNITIES

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

you.

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
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. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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