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The EJN Reporting Fellowship 2027 is fully funded. It pays for journalists to travel to New York and report from the first Conference of the Parties of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ COP1), covering economy airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, local transport, visa costs and a daily allowance.
The fellowship is run by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN). It is for working journalists who already report on ocean issues and come from coastal countries. Ten fellows will be chosen, with equal numbers from the Global North and the Global South.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | USA (New York) |
| Organiser | Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) |
| Event | BBNJ COP1 (High Seas Treaty), 11 to 22 January 2027 |
| Funding | Fully funded: airfare, accommodation, meals, insurance, local transport, visa costs, per diem |
| Places | 10 journalists |
| Who can apply | Professional journalists from coastal countries with ocean reporting experience |
| Application fee | None mentioned |
| Deadline | 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM Niue time (UTC-11) |
What is the EJN Reporting Fellowship?
The High Seas Treaty, officially the BBNJ Agreement, came into force on 17 January 2026. It covers the two-thirds of the ocean that lies outside any country’s control. The first meeting of the countries that signed it, BBNJ COP1, takes place in New York from 11 to 22 January 2027.
EJN wants more journalists telling this story, so it is sending ten reporters to cover the full conference. Fellows join a pre-conference online workshop, an orientation day with ocean experts, daily briefings with EJN media trainers, side events and special briefings with high-profile speakers. Trainers give feedback on your stories while you report.
The programme depends on final funding approval from the Bloomberg Ocean Fund.
What you get
- Non-refundable economy airfare to New York
- Accommodation for the full conference
- Meals
- Travel medical insurance
- Ground transport linked to the fellowship
- Reimbursement of your visa costs
- A daily allowance (per diem) in New York
- Help with press accreditation, plus training and mentoring from EJN media trainers
Fellows arrive on 9 January 2027, join orientation on 10 January, attend the conference from 11 to 22 January and fly home on 23 January. You apply for your own visa, and EJN pays you back for it.
Who can apply
- Professional journalists from, or representing, an established media house in a coastal country
- Experience reporting on ocean issues, such as illegal fishing, marine protected areas, the blue economy, sustainable fisheries or marine pollution
- Journalists working in any medium: online, print, TV or radio
- Freelancers, with a letter of support from an outlet that will publish their work
- Good command of English
- Available from 9 to 23 January 2027
EJN especially encourages journalists from Namibia, Ecuador, Peru, Seychelles, Japan, Spain, Canada and South Korea, but journalists from other coastal countries will also be selected.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No test is required, but you need a good command of English. Applications must be written in English, and the fellowship runs in English.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes. Freelancers are welcome. You need a letter of support from a media outlet that will publish or broadcast the stories you produce.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned on the official page.
Required documents
- An up-to-date CV
- A letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor confirming your stories will be published or broadcast
- Recent work samples on ocean issues, published in the last 12 months, with clear bylines (any language, with a short English summary)
- A description of the stories you plan to pursue at the conference
How to write your story pitch
The judges want to know what you will report and why your audience needs it.
- Name two or three concrete story ideas. For example, how a new marine protected area on the high seas could affect fishing communities in your country.
- Say who you will interview: delegates from your country, scientists, fishers, NGOs.
- Show your track record. Link your strongest ocean stories from the past year.
- Explain where the stories will run and who will read, watch or hear them.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official EJN page using the button at the end of this post.
- Create an account or log in to the EJN website.
- Fill in the application in English.
- Upload your CV, letter of support and work samples.
- Submit before the deadline. Decisions come in November 2026.
Selection process
A panel of international judges, made up of Internews staff and environmental journalism experts, reviews every application. They look for proven experience covering ocean and environmental topics, and a long-term commitment to reporting on the ocean. Decisions are sent in November 2026.
Deadline
27 October 2026, 11:59 PM (Niue time, UTC-11).
Niue time is one of the last time zones in the world, so for most of Africa and Europe the deadline falls on 28 October. Prepare your letter of support first, because it depends on your editor.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help. If you report on the ocean, tell us what story you would chase in New York, it helps the next reader.
Related reading
- DW Traineeship 2028 in Germany (Paid Journalism Programme)
- WCSJ Travel Fellowship 2027 in the UK (Funded)
- Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship at Oxford 2026/27 (Fully Funded)
- Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence 2027 (Fully Funded + $14,000 Stipend)
- AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027 in Cambridge, UK (Fully Funded)
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