Deadline: 8 November 2026 at midnight, Eastern Standard Time
Our world is in a crucial moment. Global violence is increasing, democracy is crumbling and human rights are under attack. We need all hands on deck to create powerful, fact-based storytelling that inspires decision-makers, in public and private settings.
The Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship seeks to surface the stories of local solutions to global crises, with a focus on gender, through selecting 5 journalists in ODA-eligible countries.
“Fact-based reporting can change the world. We will support the work of journalists reporting in their own communities to shift whose solutions are brought into view. Whether it’s reporting on women farmers or first responders, whether the crisis is about human rights, democracy or gender-based violence, our world needs an intervention—and women are already doing this work,” says Jess Tomlin, CEO of the Equality Fund.
“We are proud to partner with the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship as we further our mission, building on our ten-year track record of capacity building, research and advocacy. We believe transformative change in media systems is essential for achieving gender equality across Africa and beyond,” says Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola, CEO of African Women in Media (AWiM).
Equality Fund has also partnered with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). “For more than 40 years, CJFE has been championing journalism, and defending courageous reporting, and we’re delighted to join forces with the Equality Fund for this fellowship. These journalism fellows will be doing work that could not be more crucial at this time,” says journalist and CJFE co-president Michelle Shephard.
Timing and Overview
In 2026, the Equality Fund will launch the call for applicants in several phases Fall 2026 and roll out the program in early 2027 with a cohort of up to 5 journalists.
Objective
At least one story published per journalist fellow, reporting on local solutions to global crises, with a focus on gender
Examples of global crises include climate, gender-based violence, authoritarianism, anti-rights movements, rollback of sexual and reproductive rights and health, economic injustice, war and conflict.
Selection Criteria
- We will welcome applications from women, men and LGBTQI+ people
- Working journalists in any platform (text, digital, video, audio) in ODA-recipient countries
- In a phased application process, shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit a letter of editorial commitment from a news outlet (in some cases of self-publishing, this may be substituted with a fact-checking plan)
- Use of AI in the proposal and application is not permitted. Use of AI during the journalistic process must be disclosed to the program and approved in advance
Fellowship details
- 6 months of programming, additional 3 months to finalize publication (Jan – Sept 2027)
- $4000 CAD stipend
- Up to $500 in reporting expenses
- Open to full-time or independent freelance journalists
- Journalists should be reporting on their own communities and geographies
- Monthly online meetings led by journalists and experts, including climate journalist Nina Lakhani (The Guardian, Drilled), journalism and ethics professor Kelly Kimball (CUNY) and safety training from International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Freedom of the Press Foundation
- One in-person convening, location and timing to be determined (travel expenses included)
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum of three years of journalism experience
- Journalists should be located in, and be reporting on, communities in ODA-recipient countries
- Have three strong journalism samples that showcase a range of relevant work
- Ability to accommodate meetings within daytime hours in Eastern Standard Time
- Fluent in English, Equality Fund’s working language
- Have a strong affinity for our mission, and align with our values – equality and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and disability
- Women, non-binary, and trans people are encouraged to apply
- Have an account with a bank that is able to accept international Electronic Wire Transfers
Additional Details
- Fellows will have complete editorial independence.
- Fellows should be willing to follow trauma-informed reporting best practices and conduct community roundtables (where possible)
- Fellows maintain intellectual proprietary rights over the work while Equality Fund retains the right to publish/reproduce your work to promote the fellowship.
- Fellows who are freelance journalists being paid by the publishing outlet can retain the publication fee as well as the fellowship stipend.
- Fellows who are full-time staff will be required to notify their newsroom of the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship stipend.
How to Apply
Contact: Hannah Sung, Director of the Equality Fund Journalism Fellowship. Writer and Content Lead at the Equality Fund journalismfellowship@equalityfund.ca