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The GIJC 2027 Fellowship pays for journalists to attend the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. A full fellowship covers your round-trip airfare, airport transfers, four nights in the conference hotel, most meals and your conference registration.
The fellowships are for journalists from developing and transitioning countries, with priority for the Global South and historically underrepresented groups. The conference runs from 19 to 23 October 2027.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Netherlands (Rotterdam) |
| Organisers | Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and VVOJ |
| Dates | 19 to 23 October 2027 |
| Funding | Full fellowships: airfare, airport transfers, 4 hotel nights, meals, registration (no per diem or visa fees) |
| Who can apply | Professional and freelance journalists from developing and transitioning countries |
| Application fee | None mentioned |
| Deadline | 31 January 2027 |
What is the Global Investigative Journalism Conference?
The GIJC is the world’s largest gathering of investigative journalists. The 15th edition is co-hosted by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and VVOJ, the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists, at De Doelen ICC in central Rotterdam.
It features more than 150 expert panels and workshops on online search techniques, investigating and using AI, cross-border collaboration, satellite imagery, climate, corruption and data journalism, plus networking with colleagues from over 100 countries. At the last conference in Malaysia, GIJN brought nearly 130 fellows from 80 countries and territories.
What you get
A full fellowship includes:
- Round-trip airfare to Rotterdam (or the nearest major airport)
- Transport between the airport and the conference hotel
- Hotel accommodation for four nights
- A welcome cocktail reception on 19 October
- Breakfast and lunch on conference days (20 to 23 October)
- The award ceremony dinner on 22 October
- The conference registration fee
The fellowship does not include a daily allowance, visa fees or travel to and from your home airport. GIJN may also offer partial fellowships, and the form asks if you want to be considered for one.
Who can apply
- Professional journalists working in print, online, TV, video, radio, documentary or multimedia
- Freelance journalists
- Based in developing or transitioning countries (GIJN publishes a list of eligible countries)
- Experience in investigative or data journalism is a plus
- Working knowledge of English
If your country is not on the list but you cannot cover the cost of attending, GIJN says to apply anyway and explain your situation under “Additional Notes”.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No test is required. You need working English, because panels and workshops are in English and the application must be written in English.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes. Freelance journalists are welcome to apply.
What do fellows have to do after the conference?
Each fellow either produces a story directly linked to GIJC27 or gives a presentation to colleagues or their journalism community based on what they learned.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned.
Required documents
You apply through GIJN’s online form. Keep these ready:
- Details of your current job or freelance work
- Links to your best investigative or data stories
- Your answers on how you will use the training
- Your plan for the story or presentation after the conference
How to write your application
GIJN says competition is keen, so you need to convince them you will make great use of the training.
- Name the investigation you are working on or want to start, and the skills you are missing.
- Match those gaps to conference topics: data, AI tools, satellite imagery, cross-border work.
- Share links to your strongest published work.
- Be specific about how you will pass on what you learn to your newsroom or community.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official GIJN fellowship page using the button at the end of this post.
- Check the eligible country list and the fellowship requirements.
- Fill in the application form in English.
- Say whether you also want to be considered for a partial fellowship.
- Submit before 31 January 2027.
Selection process
GIJN reviews every application, prioritising journalists from the Global South and underrepresented groups. Because of the volume, it cannot update applicants one by one. Questions can go to fellowships@gijn.org.
Deadline
31 January 2027.
The conference is in October 2027, which gives selected fellows time to arrange a Schengen visa for the Netherlands.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help. If you are an investigative reporter, tell us what you would want to learn in Rotterdam, 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)
- Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027/28 (Fully Funded, Netherlands)
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