9 media opportunities for journalists in April 2025

As media professionals navigate the challenges of the modern news landscape, access to opportunities that enhance skills, provide financial support, and foster collaboration is crucial. In this new month, journalists have several avenues to sharpen their expertise, gain global recognition, and contribute to impactful storytelling. Hence, this list of 9 media opportunities for journalists in April 2025. 

These opportunities cater to a diverse range of interests, from investigative journalism and science reporting to media innovation and press freedom advocacy. Whether through fellowships, grants, training programmes, or awards, journalists can find valuable resources to elevate their craft.

Such initiatives not only offer financial and institutional backing but also open doors to networking with industry leaders, policymakers, and fellow reporters worldwide. These programmes and fellowships also seek to empower journalists with the tools needed to navigate complex stories, uncover hidden truths, and ensure accountability in society. 

For those seeking to expand their knowledge, gain recognition, or take on new challenges, April 2025 presents a range of possibilities. Whether pursuing professional development, advocating for press freedom, or exploring new storytelling formats, journalists have a wealth of opportunities to seize. Some of them are listed below;

1. 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
2. EJN: Story grants to report 30×30 marine conservation target: DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2025 — Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering story grants to journalists in coastal countries to conduct in-depth reporting on the 30×30 marine conservation target and efforts to reach it. APPLY HERE
3. Deutsche Welle is hiring Lagos correspondent: DEADLINE: APRIL 6, 2025 — Deutsche Welle is hiring a Correspondent for its DW Bureau Lagos on a two-year freelance contract basis. APPLY HERE
4. MTN Media Innovation Programme 2025: DEADLINE: APRIL 7, 2025 — Nigerian journalists can apply for the 2025 cohort of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP). APPLY HERE
5. Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity programme seeks applications: DEADLINE: APRIL 10, 2025 — The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity programme is open to early to mid-career professionals who want to become global leaders in the elimination of health disparities. APPLY HERE
6. Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship seeks women, nonbinary journalists covering human rights and social justice: DEADLINE: APRIL 20, 2025 — The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship offers women and nonbinary journalists the opportunity to advance their reporting on human rights and social justice. APPLY HERE
7. Call for nominations: IPI-IMS 2025 press freedom awards: DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2025 — The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) seek nominations for 2025 press freedom awards. APPLY HERE
8. Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award: DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2025 —The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) is accepting entries for the 2025 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award for outstanding mid-career science journalists. APPLY HERE
9. African Liberty Writing Fellowship opens for applications: DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2025 — Young African writers are invited to apply for the 2025/26 African Liberty Writing Fellowship. African Liberty Writing Fellowship is a highly competitive, 12-month paid fellowship that equip fellows with the skills to shape public discourse on economics, governance and policy. APPLY HERE

 

ROLLING STORY GRANTS & VACANCIES

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

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1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
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. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. The Revelator seeks pitches on environmental issues: The Revelator is actively seeking both expert commentaries and freelance journalism related to environmental issues. APPLY HERE
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. Submit climate solutions pitches: The BBC Future Planet is looking for pitches on climate solutions for its Climate Guardians project. APPLY HERE
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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