Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027: Report from New York
The Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 offers professional journalists an opportunity to report on global ocean conservation and international environmental policy at a major United Nations-related conference in New York City, USA. Organised by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), the fellowship will support selected journalists attending the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
Scheduled for January 11–22, 2027, the conference will bring together countries to discuss how to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. Selected fellows will receive travel and logistical support, accommodation, meals, medical travel insurance, ground transportation, and a daily allowance, subject to the programme’s conditions.
Applications are open to eligible journalists with experience covering ocean and environmental issues. The deadline is October 27, 2026, and interested applicants should prepare their supporting documents before submitting their applications.
Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027: At a Glance
| Opportunity Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 |
| Organiser | Internews’ Earth Journalism Network |
| Host country | United States |
| Conference location | New York City |
| Event | BBNJ COP1 |
| Fellowship dates | January 11–22, 2027 |
| Travel dates | January 9–23, 2027 |
| Eligible applicants | Professional journalists |
| Application language | English |
| Financial support | Travel, accommodation, meals and related expenses |
| Application deadline | October 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific/Niue time |
| Application method | Online application |
| Official source | Earth Journalism Network |
Important: The fellowship is contingent on final funding approval from the Bloomberg Ocean Fund.
About the Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network works to strengthen environmental reporting by supporting journalists covering important environmental challenges. Through the Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027, the organisation aims to improve international media coverage of the High Seas Treaty and the future of marine conservation.
The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, entered into force on January 17, 2026, according to the supplied announcement. It provides an international framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
These international waters contain valuable ecosystems that contribute to global biodiversity, food security, climate stability, and livelihoods. However, protecting marine environments beyond national borders presents significant challenges that require cooperation between countries.
The first BBNJ Conference of the Parties will address important implementation questions, including marine protected areas and environmental impact assessments for activities taking place in international waters.
The Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 will help selected reporters investigate these issues, speak with experts, and produce in-depth stories for their respective media organisations.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
Selected fellows will receive support intended to make attending the conference and reporting from New York City possible.
1. International Travel
EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare associated with participation in the fellowship. Fellows will also receive support for ground transportation related to the programme.
2. Accommodation and Meals
The programme will cover accommodation and meals during the fellowship, subject to its arrangements and applicable conditions.
3. Travel Medical Insurance
Fellows will receive travel medical insurance as part of the support package.
4. Visa Cost Reimbursement
Participants are individually responsible for obtaining the necessary United States visa and meeting applicable travel requirements. However, EJN states that visa costs will be reimbursed.
Applicants should begin checking visa requirements early because obtaining travel authorisation is not guaranteed.
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5. Daily Allowance
Selected journalists will receive a per diem to help cover daily expenses while in New York City.
6. Training and Editorial Support
Before the conference, fellows will participate in a virtual workshop covering reporting opportunities and preparation. During the event, they will benefit from orientation activities, expert briefings, media training, and guidance on producing strong environmental stories.
The fellowship is a supported reporting opportunity rather than a conventional academic scholarship. The announcement does not specify a fixed cash grant or monthly salary.
Who Can Apply for the Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027?
The fellowship is intended for professional journalists working in print, online media, television, radio, and other recognised media formats.
Applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media organisation and reporting from a coastal country.
- Have previous experience covering ocean-related issues, such as marine pollution, illegal fishing, sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, or the blue economy.
- Clearly describe the stories they intend to pursue during the conference.
- Be available to travel to New York City, arriving January 9 and departing January 23, 2027.
- Have a good command of English.
- Submit an up-to-date CV or résumé.
- Provide a signed letter of support from an editor, producer, or supervisor confirming that the resulting work will be published or broadcast.
- Submit recent journalistic work samples focused on ocean issues.
Freelance journalists may apply, provided they obtain a supporting letter from a media outlet for which they intend to report.
Work samples must have clear bylines and should have been published within the preceding 12 months. Samples originally published in other languages must include a short English synopsis.
Which Countries Are Encouraged to Apply?
Although journalists from other eligible countries may be considered, the announcement particularly encourages applications from:
- Namibia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Seychelles
- Japan
- Spain
- Canada
- South Korea
The programme plans to select 10 journalists, with equal representation from the Global North and Global South.
Applicants should not assume that being from a listed country guarantees selection. The judging panel will also assess reporting experience, commitment to environmental journalism, editorial support, and the diversity of the overall cohort.
Reporting Responsibilities and Expected Outputs
Selected fellows are expected to produce at least two in-depth stories or analyses during the fellowship or within two weeks after it ends.
Stories should explore relevant issues emerging from the conference, including marine biodiversity protection, international ocean governance, and the implementation of the High Seas Treaty.
Fellows may publish their work in their affiliated media organisations. EJN, its partners, and funders will also receive rights to edit, republish, broadcast, and distribute the resulting work under the programme’s stated conditions.
Published stories or broadcasts must acknowledge the fellowship using the wording provided by EJN. Participants must also follow the programme’s editorial standards and applicable travel and safety requirements.
How to Apply for the Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027
Interested journalists should follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official opportunity page using the link below.
Step 2: Create an account on the Earth Journalism Network website or sign in to an existing account.
Step 3: Prepare your CV, recent ocean-related reporting samples, and a signed letter of support from an editor or media supervisor.
Step 4: Complete the online application in English. Explain the stories you intend to investigate and demonstrate your experience covering environmental issues.
Step 5: Submit the application before the deadline. If necessary, applicants can save a draft and return later to complete it.
Application deadline: October 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific/Niue time.
Apply through the official link:
Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 — Read the Requirements and Apply
For application questions or submission difficulties, contact info.ejn@internews.org, as instructed in the official announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 fully funded?
The programme covers major participation costs, including economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, related ground transportation, visa cost reimbursement, and a per diem. However, applicants should review the official conditions because the fellowship is contingent on final funding approval.
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. Freelancers are welcome, but they must provide a letter of support from a media outlet that intends to publish or broadcast their reporting.
When will the conference take place?
BBNJ COP1 is scheduled for January 11–22, 2027. Fellows are expected to arrive on January 9 and depart on January 23.
How many journalists will be selected?
The programme plans to award fellowships to 10 journalists, with equal representation from the Global North and Global South.
When will applicants hear the results?
According to the announcement, selection decisions are expected to be communicated in November 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Ocean Journalism Fellowship 2027 presents a valuable opportunity for experienced journalists to report on international ocean conservation while receiving practical support to attend BBNJ COP1 in New York City.
With travel assistance, accommodation, meals, training, expert briefings, and editorial guidance, the programme can help journalists produce impactful reporting on marine biodiversity and the future of the High Seas Treaty.
Eligible applicants should prepare strong reporting samples, secure editorial support, and explain their proposed stories clearly before the October 27, 2026 deadline. As funding approval remains a condition of the programme, applicants should consult the official announcement for any updates.
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