The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT offers academic-year fellowships to science journalists. Fellows will be able to leverage the resources and connections available to them at MIT and in the surrounding greater Boston area. The research project must be journalism-related. Fellows receive a US$85 thousand stipend paid out in installments over 9.5 months. The program is designed for journalists from around the world. International candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 09 January 2026. KSJ Fellowship
media/journalism
World Press Photo — Visual Journalism and Stories Awards 2026
The World Press Photo Contest recognizes the best visual journalism and awards visual stories in eight categories, including Environment and Nature. The award winners will receive €5 thousand each. The prize-winning photographs will be assembled into a worldwide year-long exhibition. The contest is only open to professional photographers. Entries close on 17 January 2026. World Press Photo Awards
International Center for Journalists — Award for Excellence in African Storytelling
The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling honors journalists in Africa who strengthen people’s voices and show the transformational change taking place on the continent. The ICFJ seeks a wide variety of topics, not limited to health and social issues. This includes stories and initiatives about global climate change, development challenges, or the environment. The winner receives a US$5 thousand cash prize. The deadline to apply is 09 January 2026. Visit the website
Journalism Fund — Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism
The Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism supports cross-border teams of professional journalists or news outlets to conduct investigations into environmental affairs related to Europe. The grant covers working time and expenses such as logistics, travel, insurance, access to legal support, translations, and access to technology and data sets. The total available amount to be distributed among all supported investigations will be around €400 thousand. The grant is open to professional freelance journalists or news outlets (cross-border teams of at least two journalists). The next application deadline is 22 January 2026. Click here
Culture & Animals Foundation — Animal Rights
The Culture & Animals Foundation (CAF) funds academic and artistic projects that raise public awareness about animal rights. Grants are awarded in three categories: Research (scholarly projects about animal advocacy and its cultural roots and impact); Creativity (original work by artists); and Performance (public performances and exhibitions to raise awareness of animal advocacy). CAF does not fund animal rescue, public protest, trap-neuter-release programs or species conservation, unless they include a commitment to animal rights and fit into one of the three categories. CAF accepts grant applications from any country. The application deadline is 31 January of each year. Link to the CAF website
Earth Journalism Network — Virtual Workshop on Climate Change
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) hosts a five-day virtual workshop for communicators in India reporting on business, industry, energy and environment. Applications are open to communicators working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) from all types of organizations from anywhere in India. Participants who attend all five days of the workshop will also be eligible to apply for a story fellowship following the workshop. Applications have to be submitted by 13 November 2025. Link
Earth Journalism Network — Media Grants to Support Coverage of Marine Conservation
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers media grants to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries, with particular focus on Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines, to support in-depth and enterprise reporting projects, initiatives to train journalists and other activities designed to increase media coverage and the capacity of journalists to report on 30×30 marine conservation targets. ENJ anticipates supporting five organizations with grants of US$10 thousand each. Newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 24 November 2025. Details here
Earth Journalism Network — Climate Media Initiative Seed Grants for Media Outlets
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites media outlets based in Thailand or Indonesia to apply for seed grants of up to €8,000 to launch new reporting programs focused on how business and the private sector are engaging with climate change. Applicants can be newspapers, online media, radio, television, multimedia platforms or social-media channels; proposals must commit to producing at least five stories or episodes and aim for sustained integration into existing media programming. Applications are due by 10 November 2025. Seed Grants for Media Outlets
MedWet — World Wetlands Day
MedWet launches a call for projects to financially support actors in the realization of educational animations within the framework of the World Wetlands Day 2025. MedWet will select up to 34 projects and provide financial support of €250 for the implementation of campaigns and educational activities that highlight the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet. This call targets actors that engage in wetland conservation in the Mediterranean region. Applications have to be submitted by 10 November 2025. Link to more information
Smithsonian.com — Annual Photo Contest 2025
Smithsonian.com accepts submissions from photographers worldwide in the theme of “Natural World,” among other categories. The Grand Prize is US$2,500 and the winners in each category will receive US$500 each. The deadline for submissions is 01 December 2025. Submit your photos