The month of January opens with an avalanche of opportunities for journalists, storytellers and photographers.
From global photography competitions with life-changing prizes to fully funded fellowships, prestigious journalism awards, and international master’s programs, this month offers rare opportunities to gain funding, visibility, training, and access to the world’s leading newsrooms and institutions.
Sony World Photography Awards [Deadline: Jan 6]
Sony World Photography Awards offer a premier global platform for photographers across skill levels, featuring free entry and massive exposure through exhibitions and publications. The awards include Professional, Open, Student, and Youth competitions, spotlighting diverse stories in contemporary photography.
Competitions Overview
Professional category focuses on photo series across ten themes like Documentary, Environment, and Portraiture. Open rewards top single images in categories such as Street Photography and Wildlife; Student and Youth target educational and young talents up to age 19.
Key Deadlines
Student competition closed November 28, 2025. Open and Youth close January 6, 2026, at 13:00 GMT; Professional on January 13, 2026, at 13:00 GMT.
Prizes
Photographer of the Year receives $25,000 USD, Sony gear, and a solo London exhibition. Open Photographer of the Year wins $5,000 USD plus equipment; category winners get gear and global promotion.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards
2026 Tarbell Fellowship for journalists interested in Artificial Intelligence
The Tarbell Fellowship trains journalists in AI coverage through a one-year program featuring newsroom placements, coursework, and summits. Applications for the 2026 cohort remain open until January 7, 2026.
Program Structure
Fellows complete a 10-week AI journalism fundamentals course from June 8 to August 14, 2026, followed by a Bay Area summit August 17-21, 2026, and a nine-month placement ending May 31, 2027. Past hosts include Bloomberg, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, and Time Magazine.
Stipends and Support
Early-career fellows receive $60,000-$80,000; Senior Fellows (5+ years in journalism or AI) get $90,000-$110,000. Benefits include expert speakers like Kevin Roose, mentorship, and networking with AI reporters.
Application Process
Submit CV, short questions, and 1-3 writing samples by January 7, 2026 (<60 minutes). Advance to a 2-4 hour work test in late January/early February 2026, then interviews in March 2026.
Click here to learn more and apply https://www.tarbellcenter.org/fellowship
2026 United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship for Individual Reporting in Polio-affected Countries
The 2026 United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship funds journalists to report on polio eradication from affected countries like Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Applications close January 7, 2026.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows gain up to $7,000 funding for independent travel, mandatory virtual training in late March 2026, visa support letters, and expert access for stories on vaccination innovations, gender barriers, and health system impacts.
Key Timeline
Applications due January 7, 2026; notifications by late February 2026. Reporting trips complete by mid-September 2026.
Application Requirements
Submit a project proposal, budget under $7,000 (covering travel/accommodation, not equipment), CV, 1-3 published samples, and polio interest statement via the official form.
Learn more and apply here: https://unfoundation.org/media/call-for-applications-2026-united-nations-foundation-polio-press-fellowship-for-individual-reporting-in-polio-affected-countries/
KSJ Opens Application Cycle for 2026-27 Fellowships
Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) at MIT opens applications for 2026-27 fellowships, targeting science journalists worldwide for skill-building, research, and networking in Cambridge. Deadlines for both programs fall on January 9, 2026.
Fellowship Types
Academic-Year Fellowship spans nine-and-a-half months for accomplished journalists globally, emphasizing seminars, classes, field trips, and self-directed projects. Africa and Middle East Fellowship lasts one semester to advance science journalism careers in the region via study and training.
Key Benefits
Fellows receive mentorship from KSJ Director Usha Lee McFarling and Associate Director Ashley Smart, cohort collaboration, and access to MIT’s expert network. Programs focus on science, technology, and journalism craft enhancement.
Application Details
Apply by January 9, 2026—earlier than prior years. Targets professionals with excellence and commitment; details via KSJ site links for each fellowship.
Learn more and apply here https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11/14/apply-for-2026-2027/
The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling
The Michael Elliott Award recognizes excellence in African storytelling by up-and-coming journalists, honoring impactful work that amplifies voices and highlights transformational change on the continent. Entries must feature one published piece from December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2025.
Key Eligibility
Open to English-speaking journalists in Africa with under 10 years of experience, across print, broadcast, digital, or multimedia formats (English or translated). Prioritizes investigative, explanatory, or analytical stories showcasing community impact.
Deadline and Prizes
Applications close January 9 or 10, 2026 (sources vary slightly). Winner receives $5,000 USD, a certificate, and a two-week internship at The Economist Group in London (June 22–July 3, 2026).
Submission Details
Complete the online form with personal/professional details, one English story/clip, and context on its significance. Winners notified in spring 2026; judged on narrative strength, clarity, and relevance.
Learn more and apply here:
https://www.icfj.org/our-work/michael-elliott-award-excellence-african-storytelling
Erasmus Mundus Journalism 2026–2028: Applications Open for Global Journalists
Application is ongoing for the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Journalism, Media and Globalisation (Mundus Journalism 2026–2028), a rigorous two-year transnational program delivered across universities in Denmark, Germany, and beyond.
Designed for aspiring media professionals, it cultivates a sharp analytical and critical perspective on journalism’s role amid globalization, empowering graduates for dynamic careers worldwide.
Core Program Features
Participants rotate through top institutions like Aarhus University, honing investigative skills via seminars, fieldwork, and collaborative projects that emphasize cross-cultural reporting and media ethics. The curriculum builds on foundational journalism knowledge, integrating globalization theories with practical multimedia storytelling to address pressing global issues.
Admission Essentials
Prospective applicants must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree (above-average GPA preferred) in humanities, social sciences, or equivalent by September 1, 2026—with proof due August 1 for pending graduates.
Non-native English speakers submit verified tests like IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 83+ (within two years); exemptions rare but possible with strong proof. Crucially, all candidates document at least three months of full-time journalistic experience via contracts, payslips, or editor letters—internships count if substantive.
Financial Support
Up to 15 full Erasmus Mundus Scholarships cover tuition, travel, and living costs; non-scholarship admits qualify for Erasmus+ stipends up to €6,000 for the second year.
Additional perks include free health/liability insurance, one-on-one career counseling, networking workshops, and post-graduation work visas in host countries like Denmark.
Timeline and Competition
The window runs from November 1, 2025, to January 10, 2026 (23:59 CET)—results by March 1, start September 1.
From 400–500 global applicants, only 80–90 secure spots, prioritizing academic merit, experience, and program fit.
Learn more and apply here: https://mundusjournalism.com/
