Key opportunities for journalists, writers closing in December 2024

As the year winds down, several key opportunities for journalists, writers, and storytellers are nearing their application deadlines. Whether you’re a seasoned journalist seeking professional growth, a creative writer ready to share your voice, or a visual storyteller aiming to make an impact, December 2024 offers numerous paths to amplify your craft and influence.

These programmes, contests and publication opportunities offer a chance to hone your craft, gain professional development, and make a lasting impact through storytelling and innovation.

1. Nieman-Berkman Klein fellowship in journalism innovation: DECEMBER 1, 2024 — Journalists with at least five years of full-time media experience can apply for the 2025-2026 Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation. APPLY HERE
2. Knight-Wallace fellowships open to international journalists: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2024 — International journalists can apply for the 2025-2026 academic year of the Knight-Wallace Fellowships. APPLY HERE
3. Journalists worldwide can apply for JSK journalism fellowship: DECEMBER 4, 2024 —  Journalists, journalism entrepreneurs and journalism innovators can apply for the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship. APPLY HERE
4. Harbinger seeks applications for evidence-based journalism training: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 5, 2024 — The Harbinger invites journalists for a three-day virtual training on evidence-based journalism. APPLY HERE
5. Submit short literary fiction to Naira Stories: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 5, 2024 — Naira Stories seeks short literary fiction for its inaugural issue. Naija Stories is a Nigerian-based literary magazine published three times a year. APPLY HERE
6. Kim Wall Memorial Fund for women and nonbinary journalists covering underreported stories: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 8, 2024 — The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) seeks applications for the 2025 Kim Wall Memorial Fund. APPLY HERE
7. The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 9, 2024 — Professional journalists are invited to submit entries for the AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism. APPLY HERE
8. CatchLight global fellowship for visual storytellers, others: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 14, 2024 — The 2025 CatchLight Global Fellowship seeks applications from visual storytellers, creative leaders and educators. 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 closing in 2024.

1. FASPE: Fellowship for journalism students, early-career journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 2, 2025 — Journalism students and early-career journalists can apply for the 2025 Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). APPLY HERE
2. Grants for NGOs advancing democracy: DEADLINE: JANUARY 7, 2025 — Non-governmental groups advancing democracy through their work can submit proposals to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). APPLY HERE
3. Erasmus Mundus Journalism programme open for applications: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — Undergraduate students from around the world can apply for the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Journalism, Media and Globalisation. APPLY HERE
4. Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence for African journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — African journalists publishing in African-led media houses can apply for the Emerging Technologies Media Award of Excellence (ETMA). APPLY HERE
5. 2024 Katherine Schneider Journalism Award on disability reporting: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 —  The National Centre on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) is accepting entries for the 2024 Katherine Schneider Journalism Award on disability reporting. APPLY HERE
6. Gary Corcoran Prize for disability reporting open to student journalists: DEADLINE: JANUARY 10, 2025 — Student journalists can apply for the 2024 Gary Corcoran Student Prize for Excellence in disability coverage. APPLY HERE
7. The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling: DEADLINE: JANUARY 12, 2025 — The 2025 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling seeks entries from English-speaking journalists working in Africa. APPLY HERE
8. TRACE Prize for investigative reporting on commercial bribery: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The TRACE Foundation is accepting entries for the 2025 Prize for Investigative Reporting: Uncovering Commercial Bribery. APPLY HERE
9. Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in economics, business journalism: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship offers experienced journalists the opportunity to enhance their understanding of business, economics, finance and technology. APPLY HERE
10. Fellowships for 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference: DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2025 — The 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) has fellowships for journalists from the Global South and those from historically underrepresented groups. APPLY HERE
11. Global Shining Light Award open for submissions: DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2025 — The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is accepting submissions for the Global Shining Light Award. APPLY HERE
12. 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

 

ROLLING STORY GRANTS & VACANCIES

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

1. Tarbell Fellowship for early-career journalists interested in artificial intelligence: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Tarbell Fellowship is a one-year remote programme for early-career journalists interested in covering artificial intelligence. APPLY HERE
2. Grants available at Fund for Investigative Journalism: The Fund for Investigative Journalism offers grants and other support for the production of high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact. APPLY HERE
3. Media and Development Conference 2024: The Media and Development Conference 2024, organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), is open for registration. APPLY HERE
4. Press freedom editor and communications coordinator at IPI: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The International Press Institute (IPI) is accepting applications for the Press Freedom Editor and Communications Coordinator position. 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. International Press Institute is hiring Africa programme manager: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The International Press Institute (IPI) is looking for a talented, dedicated, and ambitious candidate for the role of Africa programme manager. APPLY HERE
7. Vacancy: Intern news writer at Naija Feminists Media: ROLLING: DEADLINE — Naija Feminists Media (NFM), a platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and challenging the status quo, has a vacancy for the remote role of an Intern News Writer. 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. Multiple vacancies available at Media Inno Tech: Media Inno Tech is hiring a Fact-Check Researcher, Social Media Manager, Digital Media & Design Associate, Business Development Intern and Fact-Check Lead. APPLY HERE
10. The Republic seeks video editor, copy editor and graphic designer: The Republic is looking for highly experienced video editor, copy editor and graphic designer to join its team. APPLY HERE
11. 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
12. 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
13. Thomson Reuters Foundation is hiring an editor: Thomson Reuters Foundation seeks an experienced, multi-skilled and multimedia-savvy EMEA Editor to lead its coverage in Europe, Middle East and Africa for its award-winning digital news platform, Context. APPLY HERE
14. Staff writer needed at Mongabay: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Mongabay is hiring a Staff Writer for West and Central Africa. APPLY HERE
15. WikkiTimes offers internship programme to undergraduate and graduate students: WikkiTimes is offering an internship programme to undergraduate and graduate students passionate about investigative journalism, data analysis, and fact-checking. APPLY HERE
16. Applications open for Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The  International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) invites women journalists to apply for the Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists (FWJ). APPLY HERE
17. 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
18. 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
19. Kekere Storytellers Fund seeks African storytellers: DEADLINE: ROLLING — African storytellers passionate about changing the prevailing stereotypical narratives about Africa can apply for Africa No Filter’s Kekere Storytellers Fund. APPLY HERE
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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. Campus journalists across West Africa can submit pitches: DEADLINE: ROLLING — The Next Gen/Campus Reporter project seeks story pitches from campus journalists across West Africa. 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. CJID’s project for campus journalists seeks pitches: DEADLINE: ROLLING — Campus journalists across West Africa can submit pitches for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)’s Next Gen/Campus Reporter project. APPLY HERE
9. 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
10. Submit investigative stories to Kara House: Kara House, a new media organisation, is currently accepting investigative stories that resonate with the society. APPLY HERE
11. DiA and The Continent seek writers: Democracy in Africa and The Continent are looking for writers to contribute to a new series of pieces on the challenges faced by opposition parties and movements on the continent. APPLY HERE
12. 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
13. Diaspora Africa seeks pitches on African migration: Diaspora Africa seeks pitches from journalists and writers interested in reporting on African migration issues. APPLY HERE
14. 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
15. Submit climate solutions pitches: The BBC Future Planet is looking for pitches on climate solutions for its Climate Guardians project. APPLY HERE
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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