GIJC27 Conference Fellowship 2027Fully Funded Journalism Fellowship for the Global South
Journalism fellowship for the Global South.
Apply for the GIJC27 Conference Fellowship 2027, an international journalism fellowship offered for the 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC27) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Host
- GIJN
- Mode
- In-person conference and training
- Age limit
- No specific age limit stated
- Degree
- No specific degree requirement
- Experience
- Professional journalism experience required; investigative or data journalism experience is an advantage
- Start date
- 19–23 October 2027, including the pre-conference day on 19 October
Can you apply?
1. Professional Journalists
The fellowship is open to professional journalists working in:
- Print journalism
- Online journalism
- Television journalism
- Video journalism
- Radio journalism
- Documentary journalism
- Multimedia journalism
Freelance journalists are also eligible to apply.
2. Journalists from the Global South
GIJN prioritises journalists from the Global South, particularly those working in developing or transitioning countries.
Applicants should check the eligible-country list linked on the official fellowship page. Journalists from countries outside that list who cannot afford to attend are also encouraged to apply and explain their circumstances in the Additional Notes section.
3. Journalists from Historically Underrepresented Groups
The fellowship also prioritises journalists from historically underrepresented groups.
Applicants should explain their professional background, reporting work and how attending the conference would benefit their journalism.
4. Investigative and Data Journalists
Experience in investigative journalism or data journalism is an advantage, but the official criteria do not state that it is compulsory.
Applicants from other professional journalism backgrounds may also apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
5. Applicants with Working English Skills
The conference panels and workshops will be conducted in English. Applicants must have a working knowledge of English and submit their fellowship application in English.
What you get
The full GIJC27 Conference Fellowship provides support for several major conference-related expenses.
1. Round-Trip Airfare
The full fellowship includes round-trip airfare to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or the nearest major airport.
However, transport between the fellow’s home and their home-country airport is not covered.
2. Airport-to-Hotel Transport
Selected fellows receive transport between the arrival airport and the conference hotel.
This support applies to the specified airport-to-hotel journey, not all local transportation during the trip.
3. Four Nights of Hotel Accommodation
The full fellowship includes hotel accommodation for four nights.
Applicants should note that the official fellowship page specifies four nights, so accommodation beyond the covered period should not be assumed to be included.
4. Conference Registration Fee
The fellowship covers the conference registration fee for selected full fellows.
This allows fellows to participate in the conference programme without paying the standard registration fee themselves.
5. Selected Meals and Events
The full fellowship includes:
- Cocktail reception on 19 October 2027.
- Breakfast during the conference days, 20–23 October 2027.
- Lunch on the full conference days, 20–23 October 2027.
- Award ceremony dinner on 22 October 2027.
Meals outside the specified events and any additional personal expenses are not confirmed as covered.
6. Journalism Training and Networking
Fellows can participate in conference sessions and workshops covering investigative techniques, data journalism, artificial intelligence, cross-border collaboration and other emerging reporting methods.
The conference also provides opportunities to connect with journalists, editors, trainers and experts from more than 100 countries.
Important: GIJN has stated that the final number of fellowships has not yet been determined. Partial fellowships may also be offered, depending on available funding.
Applying
Step 1: Review the Official Fellowship Guidelines
Visit the official GIJC27 fellowship page and review the eligibility criteria, funding coverage and post-conference requirements.
Official website: https://gijc2027.org/fellowships/
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you are a professional journalist and that your work falls within one of the eligible journalism formats.
Review the eligible-country list and consider how your professional background and reporting interests align with the fellowship’s priorities.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Information
Gather information about your journalism experience, relevant reporting work, professional goals and reasons for wanting to attend the conference.
Think about how you will apply the training to your work and share the knowledge with your colleagues or journalism community.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Submit the fellowship application in English through the official application form.
Official application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BFw81_Kv0nZ94FjNi_0VuQziRLLYyTACK0IKbYbeqV0/viewform
Step 5: Indicate Whether You Would Consider a Partial Fellowship
The application form asks whether you are interested in being considered for a partial fellowship.
If you are willing to accept partial support, review the available options and make sure you understand what expenses would remain your responsibility.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
The application deadline is 31 January 2027.
Submit your application before the deadline and ensure that all required information is complete.
Step 7: Prepare for the Conference if Selected
If selected, review the fellowship award terms, visa requirements, travel arrangements and accommodation details. Budget for expenses not covered by the fellowship.
Following the conference, complete the required story or presentation.
Common questions
Is the GIJC27 Conference Fellowship fully funded?
The full fellowship covers round-trip airfare to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport, airport-to-hotel transport, four nights of accommodation, conference registration and specified meals and events.
However, visa fees, per diem and transport between the fellow’s home and home-country airport are not covered. Additional expenses may also remain the fellow’s responsibility.
Can Indian journalists apply?
Indian journalists can review the official eligible-country list and apply if they meet the programme’s professional and other eligibility requirements. GIJN prioritises journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups.
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. The official eligibility criteria explicitly include freelance journalists.
Is a journalism degree mandatory?
No specific academic degree is stated as a requirement on the official fellowship page. The programme focuses on professional journalism experience and the applicant’s ability to benefit from the training.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is listed on the official fellowship page. Applicants should use the official online application form and avoid third parties requesting payment to secure a fellowship.
What expenses must fellows pay themselves?
Fellows must cover visa fees, transport between their home and home-country airport, and a per diem or daily personal expenses. Additional accommodation, meals outside the specified events and other personal costs may also require separate budgeting.
Can applicants receive a partial fellowship?
Yes. GIJN may offer partial fellowships depending on available funding. Applicants can indicate in the application form whether they wish to be considered for partial support.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is 31 January 2027.
Full description
Apply for the GIJC27 Conference Fellowship 2027, an international journalism fellowship offered for the 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC27) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Organised by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and co-hosted with the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists (VVOJ), the conference brings together investigative journalists, reporters and media professionals from around the world.
The fellowship is designed to help established and promising journalists, particularly those from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups, participate in the conference and benefit from specialised training, workshops and international networking opportunities.
The full fellowship covers round-trip airfare to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport, airport-to-hotel transport, four nights of hotel accommodation, conference registration and selected meals and events.
Application deadline: 31 January 2027.
What Is the GIJC27 Conference Fellowship?
The GIJC27 Conference Fellowship supports professional journalists who want to participate in the Global Investigative Journalism Conference, an international gathering focused on investigative reporting, data journalism and innovative reporting techniques.
The 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 19 to 23 October 2027. It is co-hosted by GIJN and VVOJ.
The event will feature expert panels, workshops and networking opportunities covering topics such as investigative research, artificial intelligence in journalism, data journalism, satellite imagery, climate change, corruption, cross-border investigations and reporting in environments with press freedom limitations.
Through its fellowship programme, GIJN aims to help journalists who might otherwise struggle to cover the cost of attending the conference access this professional training.
The fellowship is particularly relevant for journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented communities who can demonstrate how they will use the training in their reporting or journalism community.
Are There Any Hidden Charges?
The official fellowship page does not list an application fee. However, the full fellowship does not cover every expense associated with international travel.
| Expense | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Fellowship application fee | No application fee listed |
| Conference registration | Covered under the full fellowship |
| Round-trip airfare to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport | Covered under the full fellowship |
| Transport between airport and conference hotel | Covered under the full fellowship |
| Hotel accommodation | Four nights covered |
| Breakfast | Covered on conference days, 20–23 October |
| Lunch | Covered on full conference days, 20–23 October |
| Cocktail reception | Covered on 19 October |
| Award ceremony dinner | Covered on 22 October |
| Per diem / daily cash allowance | Not covered |
| Visa fees | Not covered |
| Transport between home and home-country airport | Not covered |
| Additional accommodation | Not confirmed as covered |
| Meals outside specified events | Not confirmed as covered |
| Personal expenses | Must be budgeted by the fellow |
| Partial fellowship expenses | Depend on the specific support offered |
Important Financial Considerations
Visa fees: Fellows must pay their own visa application fees and any associated expenses.
Home-country transport: Travel between the fellow’s home and their home-country airport is not included.
No per diem: The fellowship does not provide a daily cash allowance for incidental expenses or general spending.
Accommodation: The full fellowship covers four nights. Additional nights are not confirmed as covered.
Partial fellowships: Some applicants may be considered for partial support. Applicants should not assume that partial fellowships cover the same expenses as full fellowships.
Bottom line: This is a substantial conference fellowship with travel and participation support, but it is not an entirely expense-free international trip. Applicants should budget for visa fees, transport to their departure airport, personal expenses and any costs outside the specified coverage.
Minimum Degree Required
Minimum Degree Required: No specific academic degree is stated on the official fellowship page.
The programme focuses on professional journalism experience rather than a specified university qualification. Applicants should demonstrate that they are professional journalists and explain how the conference training will benefit their work.
A formal journalism degree should not be assumed to be mandatory based on the published eligibility criteria.
Required Application Documents
The official fellowship page directs applicants to an online application form and detailed guidelines. It does not provide a single exhaustive document checklist in the main announcement.
Applicants should be prepared to provide information about:
- Professional journalism experience: Details of their current or previous journalism work.
- Reporting portfolio: Relevant published work or examples of reporting, where requested.
- Investigative or data journalism experience: Examples of relevant work, if available.
- Motivation statement: An explanation of why they want to attend GIJC27 and how they would use the training.
- Professional background: Information demonstrating their eligibility as a professional journalist.
- Additional Notes: Relevant circumstances, including financial barriers to attending, where applicable.
- Post-conference plans: How they intend to share the knowledge gained through a story or presentation.
The exact information requested may depend on the online form. Applicants should read the official application instructions carefully and avoid assuming that every item above is a mandatory separate attachment.
Application Timeline for 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Fellowship applications open | October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 31 January 2027 |
| Expected notification period | Successful applicants are expected to be informed by the end of April 2027, according to application guidance reported by the programme |
| Pre-conference reception | 19 October 2027 |
| Conference | 20–23 October 2027 |
| Award ceremony dinner | 22 October 2027 |
| Location | Rotterdam, the Netherlands |
The conference is scheduled for 19–23 October 2027, with 19 October serving as the pre-conference day. Applicants should check official communications for final travel, accommodation and notification details.
Final Note
The GIJC27 Conference Fellowship 2027 is a valuable opportunity for professional journalists, particularly those from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups, to participate in an international investigative journalism conference.
The full fellowship covers major expenses, including airfare, four nights of accommodation, airport-to-hotel transport, conference registration and selected meals. It also offers access to specialised training and networking with journalists from around the world.
However, applicants should remember that visa fees, per diem and transport to their home-country airport are not covered. Partial fellowships may also be offered, so applicants should check their award terms carefully.
The application deadline is 31 January 2027. Eligible journalists should review the official requirements, prepare a strong application and explain how they will use the conference training to strengthen their reporting and contribute to the wider journalism community.
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All quick facts
- Opportunity Type
- International journalism conference fellowship
- Funding Organisation
- Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)
- Co-host
- De Vereniging van Onderzoeksjournalisten (VVOJ), the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists
- Location
- Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Conference Dates
- 19–23 October 2027, including the pre-conference day on 19 October
- Duration
- Conference participation over the scheduled event dates
- Mode
- In-person conference and training
- Nationality
- International
- Minimum Degree Required
- No specific degree requirement
- Age Limit
- No specific age limit stated
- Work Experience
- Professional journalism experience required; investigative or data journalism experience is an advantage
- Application Deadline
- 31 January 2027
- Application Fee
- Free
- Stipend / Salary / Financial Support
- No cash stipend or per diem is listed. The full fellowship covers specified conference-related expenses, including airfare, four nights of accommodation and conference registration
- Additional Benefits
- Airport-to-hotel transport, selected meals, networking and specialist journalism training
