Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship 2026 opens applications for Global South journalists

The Equality Fund has opened applications for its 2026 Journalism Fellowship, inviting journalists based in and reporting on communities in ODA-recipient countries to develop reporting projects focused on local solutions to global crises, with a particular focus on gender.

Up to five journalists will be selected for the inaugural fellowship. Each fellow will receive a CAD 4,000 stipend, approximately Rs 2.72 lakh, along with up to CAD 500 in reporting expenses. The programme is scheduled to run from January to September 2027.

What does the fellowship offer?

The fellowship will provide six months of programming, followed by three additional months for fellows to complete and publish their stories.

The programme is designed around reporting projects rather than only classroom-based training. Fellows will participate in monthly online sessions with journalists and experts and will also receive journalism safety training. An in-person convening is planned, with travel expenses covered by the programme.

The Equality Fund says fellows will retain editorial independence and intellectual property rights over their work, while the organisation will retain rights to publish or reproduce the work for promoting the fellowship.

What kind of stories are eligible?

The fellowship focuses on reporting about local solutions to global crises through a gender lens.

The Equality Fund lists areas including climate change, gender-based violence, human rights, democracy, economic inequality, war and conflict. Applicants can propose work in text, digital, video or audio formats.

Each fellow is expected to produce and publish at least one story during the programme.

Who can apply?

The fellowship is open to both full-time and independent freelance journalists.

Applicants must:

Have at least three years of journalism experience
Be based in and report on communities in ODA-recipient countries
Submit three strong samples of previous journalism
Be fluent in English
Be able to participate in meetings during daytime hours in Eastern Standard Time
Have a bank account capable of receiving international electronic wire transfers

The Equality Fund has specifically encouraged women, non-binary and transgender journalists to apply.

Applicants are also expected to have an affinity with the Equality Fund's mission and values.

What are the AI-related rules?

The fellowship has specific rules concerning artificial intelligence. The Equality Fund says AI cannot be used in preparing the proposal or application.

Use of AI during the journalistic process must be disclosed to the programme and approved in advance.

The fellowship is being organised by the Equality Fund in partnership with the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and African Women in Media.

Application deadline

Applications for the 2026 Journalism Fellowship can be submitted until November 8, 2026, at 11 pm Eastern Standard Time, according to the Equality Fund's application guidelines.