9 media opportunities with July deadlines you shouldn’t miss

If you’re a journalist, storyteller, photographer, or young leader seeking to grow your career, expand your network, or fund your next project, these 9 media opportunities with July deadlines offer exciting chances you shouldn’t miss.

Several top organisations are offering grants, awards, scholarships, and fellowships across areas like science reporting, climate change, investigative journalism, child rights, and narrative storytelling. Whether you’re just starting out or already established, these openings cater to a wide range of experience levels and media formats, from writing and photography to documentary work and youth-led change.

Some are global, while others focus on specific regions like Africa or low- and middle-income countries. Most of them support impactful work in journalism, media, and development. Others offer funding for study or support bold ideas that aim to build a fairer, more sustainable world.

All nine of these opportunities close before the end of July, so now’s the time to polish your pitch, complete that application, and take a shot. Make sure to check the eligibility details and apply before the deadlines roll in.

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
2025 Africa Science Journalism Awards open for applications: DEADLINE: JULY 4, 2025 — African journalists can apply for the 2025 Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA), which celebrate excellence in health, science and development reporting across the continent. APPLY HERE
One Young World leading scholarship 2025: DEADLINE: JULY 7, 2025 — One Young World’s Leading Scholarship is for young leaders who are devising meaningful strategies to build a more sustainable world. APPLY HERE
The Kari Howard Fund for narrative journalism: DEADLINE: JULY 13, 2025 — Women and nonbinary journalists can get up to $5,000 grants through the 2025 Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism. APPLY HERE
African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award: DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2025 — The African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award is currently open for entries. APPLY HERE
COP30 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship: DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2025 — Journalists from low- and middle-income countries can apply for the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) reporting fellowship. APPLY HERE
Call for Entries: Save the Children Global Media Awards: DEADLINE: JULY 20, 2025 — Applications are open for the 2025 Save the Children Global Media Awards, which celebrate excellence in journalism for child rights. APPLY HERE
Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads international photo contest: DEADLINE: JULY 20, 2025 — The annual “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads” International Photo Contest is currently open for entries. APPLY HERE
Applications open for 2026 Rhodes Scholarship: DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2025 — The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award which enables talented young people from around the world to study full-time at the University of Oxford. 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.

2025 AAAS Kavli science journalism awards open for entries: DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2025 — The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is accepting applications for the Kavli Science Journalism Awards. APPLY HERE
Photography 4 Humanity seeks climate justice entries: DEADLINE: AUGUST 5, 2025 — The 2025 Photography 4 Humanity global competition is now open for submissions. The award seeks the best climate justice photography. APPLY HERE
2025 scholarship awards for foreign journalists in the US: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 — The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) provides annual scholarships to foreign journalists. APPLY HERE
Radcliffe Fellowship opens for applications: DEADLINES: SEPTEMBER 11 AND 30, 2025 — Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Radcliffe Fellowship. APPLY HERE
Fetisov Journalism Awards 2025 open for entries: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 — Submissions are now open for the 2025 Fetisov Journalism Awards. Professional and freelance journalists can apply. APPLY HERE
Vital Impacts environmental photography grant 2025: DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 — Vital Impacts is offering environmental photography grant to photographers across the globe. VI funds documentary projects on environmental stories. 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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Reporters Without Borders is hiring a data journalist: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is recruiting a Data Journalist to lead the collection and analysis of statistical data for the annual World Press Freedom Index. APPLY HERE
Work with Rolling Stone Africa magazine: Rolling Stone Africa (RSA) magazine seeks passionate, curious and driven individuals to help its mission of shaping a new future for music, fashion, politics and youth culture on the continent. APPLY HERE
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