Check out the following media opportunities with July deadlines and apply for the ones you have the requirements for.
PRNigeria Opens Applications for 2026 Young Communication Fellowship [Deadline: July 6, 2026]
Applications have opened for the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (YCF), a flagship youth‑development programme designed to train the next generation of ethical journalists, strategic communicators and media professionals in Nigeria.
Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Spokespersons Digest, Tech Digest and other platforms—announced that entries for the third edition of the fellowship opened on June 21, with training scheduled to run from August to October 2026 across PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Kano and Ilorin.
The programme will admit 30 young Nigerians, selecting 10 fellows per centre for an intensive, practice‑driven training cycle. The fellowship has earned recognition from the SABRE Africa Awards and benefitted from a MacArthur Foundation‑supported initiative.
The two‑week intensive programme will feature expert‑led masterclasses, newsroom simulations, institutional visits, media production exercises, mentorship sessions and a public showcase of fellows’ projects. Participants will engage with journalists, media lawyers, PR practitioners, government spokespersons, OSINT analysts, fact‑checkers and communication scholars.
Fellows will receive verified digital portfolios, certificates of completion and automatic membership in the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship Alumni Network, which offers continued mentorship and professional development.
The fellowship is open to Nigerian citizens aged 20 to 30 from any discipline. Prior media experience is not required.
Applications close on July 6, 2026, with shortlisted candidates to be notified by mid‑July.
Established by IMPR, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship forms part of broader efforts to promote media literacy, ethical communication, fact‑checking, strategic public relations and youth leadership development in Nigeria’s evolving information landscape.
Learn more and apply https://fellowship.prnigeria.com
In-Development Magazine Wants Your Story — $2,000 Per Piece [Deadline: July 1, 2026]
Calling all writers, journalists, and storytellers: In-Development Magazine is accepting story pitches and is paying up to $2,000 per accepted piece. If you’ve got a compelling narrative idea that explores development, social change, policy, or the human stories behind progress, this is a great opportunity to get paid and published.
What they’re looking for
- Investigative features, long-form reporting, and deeply reported essays that illuminate development issues.
- Stories that connect policy and practice to real people and communities.
- Pieces with strong reporting, clear narrative structure, and original reporting or analysis.
- Ideas that bring fresh perspectives on development challenges, solutions, or innovations.
Who should pitch
- Freelance journalists and experienced nonfiction writers.
- Reporters with on-the-ground access or deep knowledge of a subject.
- Storytellers who can combine reportage with narrative craft to make complex topics accessible.
Pay and terms
- Payment up to $2,000 per accepted piece. (Exact amount typically depends on length, reporting, and editorial agreement.)
- Professional editorial support and publication in In-Development’s pages, reaching an audience interested in global development and policy.
How to pitch
- Prepare a clear pitch that summarizes your story idea, explains its importance, and outlines how you’ll report it.
- Include a proposed length, potential sources or contacts, and any relevant reporting or publication history.
- If available, attach a short writing sample or links to previous work.
- Follow the magazine’s submission guidelines on their site (check for any format, file type, or subject-line requirements).
Tips for a stronger pitch
- Lead with a hook: why this story matters now and what readers will learn.
- Show reporting access: name sources, contacts, or locales you can reach.
- Be specific about the angle and structure — editor-friendly pitches are concise and actionable.
- Suggest visuals or data that could strengthen the piece (photos, charts, documents).
- Offer a realistic timeline for reporting and delivery.
Why pitch now
In-Development reaches readers who care about the intersection of policy, practice, and people. Getting published there builds credibility, reaches an engaged audience, and — with the offered payment — helps sustain investigative and long-form reporting work.
Learn More and Apply: https://indevelopmentmag.substack.com/p/call-for-pitches
AXS Film Fund 2026: Grants for Documentary Filmmakers and Nonfiction Creators [Deadline: July 24, 2026]
The AXS Film Fund has opened its 2026 call for applications, offering grants of up to $10,000 to support documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators, with a special emphasis on creators of colour living with disabilities.
Who the Fund supports
- Documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators working at any stage of production — from pre-production through distribution.
- Creators of colour living with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply, as the Fund prioritizes projects led by disabled storytellers and creators from underserved backgrounds.
- Applicants must be individuals (not enrolled in a degree program), at least 18 years old, and should be the director or producer of the project; fiscal sponsorship is allowed.
What grants cover and amounts
- The Fund usually awards three to five creators each year, with grants up to $10,000 depending on project need.
- Eligible projects include feature-length documentary films (45 minutes or longer) and nonfiction new media projects that include a film/video component. Experimental nonfiction is accepted.
Key eligibility and exclusions
- Projects must be nonfiction; fiction or narrative films based on true stories are not eligible.
- Applications from current AXS Lab employees, board members, and their relatives are not accepted; former employees and relatives become eligible three years after leaving.
- Projects in languages other than English should include English subtitles, and all applications should be submitted in English.
Important dates and accessibility
- The 2026 submission deadline is July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- Applications open on June 1, 2026 (portal live early June).
- The Fund offers application support: if applicants require an alternative submission method or assistance, they can request help by emailing the Fund; requests for assistance should be made before July 24, 2026 to allow time for support.
Why apply
- Beyond financial support, the Fund seeks to elevate underrepresented voices and help disabled creators shape authentic cultural narratives through documentary and nonfiction media.
- A grant can pay for production, post-production, distribution, or other project needs and increase visibility for work that centres disability and diverse perspectives.
For full guidelines, FAQs, and to apply, visit the AXS Film Fund application portal. https://axsfilmfundapply.smapply.us/prog/axs_film_fund_open_call_2026/
MFWA Opens Applications for Africa-China Reporting Workshop [Deadline: July 30, 2026]
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with the Wits Centre for Journalism, is inviting journalists from Anglophone West Africa to apply for a three-day training workshop on critical coverage of Africa-China trade, investment, and political relations.
The workshop is designed to strengthen journalists’ understanding of one of the most complex and important stories shaping the region’s development and international relations.
Titled “Building Capacity to Cover a Complex Story – Africa and China relations,” the workshop will take place in Accra, Ghana, in the last quarter of 2026. It aims to equip reporters with both subject-matter knowledge and practical journalism skills for producing deeper, more insightful coverage of Africa-China issues.
Who can apply
Applications are open to journalists based in Anglophone West African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. Eligible applicants should work in print, radio, television, or digital media and cover areas such as politics, economy, business, trade, development, environment, extractives, infrastructure, or international affairs.
Applicants must also be available during September and October 2026 and able to secure a formal permission letter from their editor to participate fully in the training in Accra. After the workshop, participants are expected to produce in-depth stories related to Africa-China relations.
What is covered
All costs related to participation will be fully covered by the organisers. This includes a return economy-class flight, accommodation, meals, and local transportation.
In addition to the training, participating journalists may also have access to reporting grants to support the production and publication of in-depth stories on Africa-China relations and related issues. Three outstanding participants could also receive a fully funded opportunity to attend the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) in Kenya in November 2026.
How to apply
Interested journalists are expected to complete the application form provided by MFWA. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The deadline for applications is July 30, 2026.
Learn More and Apply: https://mfwa.org/call-for-applications-training-workshop-on-critical-coverage-of-africa-china-trade-investment-political-relations-for-journalists-in-anglophone-west-africa/
IACC Young Journalists Programme 2026: Call for Applications [Deadline: July 15, 2026]
The International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) is inviting applications from young journalists around the world for its 2026 Young Journalists Programme, a fully funded opportunity for early-career reporters passionate about corruption, transparency, accountability, and social justice.
Selected participants will attend the conference in the Dominican Republic and take part in a mentored reporting experience.
The programme is designed for journalists who already report on social, political, or economic issues and want to strengthen their anti-corruption reporting skills while connecting with global experts and activists.
What the programme offers
Participants selected for the programme will receive support to attend the International Anti-Corruption Conference in the Dominican Republic in December 2026, along with mentoring and editorial guidance.
The initiative also connects young journalists to a global network focused on investigative reporting, safe journalism practices, and producing stories on corruption and social injustice.
Who can apply
The call is open to young journalists from all over the world who are actively working in journalism and have experience reporting on social, political, or economic issues.
Applicants are expected to be under 35 years old by 6 December 2026, proficient in English, and committed to learning more about anti-corruption reporting and Transparency International’s work.
Deadline and application
The application deadline is 15 July 2026.opportunitiesforafricans+1
Interested applicants should complete the online application through the official IACC series page and review the eligibility details carefully before submitting.
Why it matters
For early-career journalists, this is a strong opportunity to build international visibility, sharpen investigative skills, and report on one of the most important governance issues affecting societies worldwide.
Learn more and apply: https://iaccseries.org/call-for-young-journalists-2026/
Pulitzer Center Grant Application: How to Apply
The Pulitzer Center’s grant application is a rolling opportunity for freelance and staff journalists worldwide who want support for in-depth reporting projects. The application is used for most Pulitzer Center grants, and submissions are accepted in English, Spanish, French, bahasa Indonesia, or Portuguese.
Applicants should propose a specific reporting project and explain the hard costs involved, such as travel or other reporting expenses. The Center typically responds within two to three weeks, and it encourages applicants to mark projects as urgent if they are newsworthy and time-sensitive.
What the grant supports
Pulitzer Center grants are designed to cover the hard costs of reporting, not general salaries or unrelated expenses. The organization supports major reporting themes including transparency and governance, gender equality, AI and surveillance, and broader global reporting projects.
The Center accepts proposals from independent journalists, newsroom teams, and collaborative projects. It also welcomes stories with strong distribution plans, including letters of commitment from outlets and creative audience-engagement ideas.
Who can apply
The opportunity is open to freelance and staff journalists around the world. Some thematic grants may have additional focus areas, but the global reporting form is the catch-all option if you are unsure which opportunity fits best.
How to prepare
Your application should clearly describe the story idea, reporting plan, expected impact, and budget. Files must generally be under 5MB, acceptable formats include PDF, DOC, and RTF, and videos should be uploaded to YouTube and linked in the form.
Where to submit
The application is submitted through the Pulitzer Center’s grant form, which is hosted on Submittable. If you have questions not covered by the FAQ, the Center directs applicants to its editorial contact email.
Why it matters
For journalists working on investigative, policy, or underreported stories, this is a useful funding source because it supports ambitious reporting without a fixed deadline. It is especially relevant for reporters who need help covering travel, documents, data work, or source development.
Learn more and apply: https://pulitzercenter.submittable.com/submit
Kari Howard Fund 2026: Narrative Journalism Grant Open [Deadline: July 12, 2026]
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is accepting applications for the Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism 2026, a grant that supports compelling long-form storytelling projects by women and nonbinary journalists worldwide. The fund backs narrative journalism focused on human stories, social issues, and underreported realities.
This grant is meant to help journalists report and publish a strong narrative piece within six months of receiving the award. Successful applicants are typically notified by early September 2026.
Who can apply
The opportunity is open to women, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming journalists whose primary profession is journalism. Applicants may be freelance or staff journalists, and they can apply individually or as part of a multi-format team led by a print journalist.
Applicants must have at least three years of professional journalism experience and should be able to show either editorial interest from a publication or a solid record of published work.
What it supports
The fund supports narrative print journalism or print-led multi-format projects on important issues from anywhere in the world. Eligible stories can be published digitally, and the multimedia elements must serve the print-based reporting project rather than replace it.
Typical award amounts have averaged around $5,000 per project, with funding intended to cover reporting and production costs.
Deadline and submission
Applications are open now and must be submitted by 12 July 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The application is submitted through the IWMF’s Submittable portal, and applicants facing accessibility issues can contact the foundation for support.
Why it matters
For journalists who specialize in deeply reported features, this is a strong opportunity to secure funding for ambitious storytelling that centres people, context, and impact. It is especially useful for writers working on social, political, environmental, or cultural stories that benefit from a narrative approach.
Learn more and apply: https://iwmf.submittable.com/submit/c65a15f2-9ff5-4c2b-b2a3-2d897c703381/the-kari-howard-fund-for-narrative-journalism-2026
Tarbell Center Grants: AI Journalism Support
Tarbell Center for AI Journalism offers grants of $1,000 to $20,000 for original reporting on AI and its impacts, open to freelancers, staff reporters, and newsroom teams worldwide. The fund supports forward-looking stories that help the public understand AI and hold companies and policymakers accountable.
The grants can cover reporting costs, including travel, data work, and even time and labor. Tarbell says applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made within about a month.
What the grants cover
Tarbell’s focus areas include investigations into frontier AI companies, national and international AI policymaking, AI use in governments and militaries, AI capabilities and safeguards, and the future of work and society in an age of advanced AI. The program is designed for public-interest journalism that goes beyond general commentary and digs into how AI is shaping power, policy, and daily life.
Who can apply
The grants are open to journalists at all career stages, including freelancers and staff reporters. The program is especially relevant for reporters working on explanatory, investigative, or accountability-focused AI stories.
How to position your pitch
A strong pitch should make clear the reporting question, why the story matters now, what access you already have, and how the grant will be used. Tarbell says it is interested in impactful investigations and explanatory work that helps audiences understand complicated AI issues. The application is available through Tarbell’s grants page.
Why it matters
For journalists covering technology, policy, labor, security, or governance, this is a practical funding source for ambitious AI reporting. It is also useful for stories outside the US, since the grants are open globally.
Learn more and apply: https://www.tarbellcenter.org/grants
African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award [Deadline: July 10, 2026]
The African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award is now open for entries and recognizes outstanding investigative reporting from across Africa that reveals untold stories, holds power to account, and serves the public interest. The winner receives US$5,000, and finalists get covered travel, accommodation, and conference fees to attend the AIJC conference.
The award is open to African journalists or teams of journalists working in any medium, for single stories or series published or broadcast in African media. Eligible work should be investigative reporting from and about Africa, and the current deadline is 10 July 2026.
What it rewards
This award is aimed at journalism that exposes wrongdoing, questions public officials, and brings hidden issues into the open. It is one of the continent’s most prominent honours for investigative reporting and is tied to the African Investigative Journalism Conference.
Who can enter
Entries are open to individual journalists and teams working in print, broadcast, or digital media, as long as the work was published or aired in African media. The competition is designed for stories that are clearly investigative and have relevance to Africa’s public interest.
Deadline and submission
The submission deadline is 10 July 2026, and supporting documents should be sent to the award contact address listed on the AIJC page. Questions about the awards are also directed there.
Why it matters
For investigative reporters, this is a strong opportunity to gain recognition, funding support, and visibility on a continental stage. It is especially relevant for journalists working on corruption, governance, human rights, extractives, environment, and other accountability-focused beats.
Learn more and apply: https://aijc.africa/aijc-african-investigative-journalist-of-the-year-award/
African Road Safety Reporting Forum [Deadline: July 10, 2026]
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its Health Reporting Project, is inviting journalists, editors, and media influencers across Africa to apply for a three-day in-person forum on road safety reporting in Abuja, Nigeria. The forum will bring together 15 participants from across the continent to strengthen how road crashes are covered in the media.
Road crashes remain a major public health crisis, especially for children and young people, yet media coverage often treats them as isolated accidents instead of preventable events shaped by unsafe roads, weak policy, and governance failures. This forum aims to change that narrative by building stronger, solutions-focused reporting on road safety.
Who can apply
Applications are open to editors, journalists, and media influencers based in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and other African countries. Applicants should have a clear interest in public health or road safety reporting and must be available for a three-day physical forum in September 2026.
Successful applicants are also expected to develop and publish a road safety story arising from the forum and join an online working group afterward to help shape continent-wide reporting guidelines.
What participants will receive
Selected participants will gain practical training in solutions-focused and accountability-driven road safety reporting. They will also have access to WHO technical experts and leading African journalists and editors.
The forum will also give participants a chance to contribute to editorial guidelines that could influence road safety coverage across the continent. Full travel, accommodation, and daily stipends will be provided.
Deadline
The application deadline is 10 July 2026. Successful applicants will be contacted by email, and only shortlisted candidates will hear back.
Why this matters
This is a strong opportunity for journalists who want to deepen their public health reporting and contribute to a more responsible, system-focused approach to covering road safety in Africa. It is also a useful platform for building networks, publishing impactful stories, and shaping editorial standards.
