About this opportunity
The Equality Fund Global Journalism Fellowship is the fund’s inaugural journalism programme, delivered with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and African Women in Media. It supports a cohort of up to five journalists based in ODA-recipient countries who report on local solutions to global crises, with a focus on gender. Programming runs across a six month period, with an additional three months to finalise publication, taking the cohort from January to September 2027.
The Equality Fund invites journalists in ODA-recipient countries to apply now, with applications closing on November 8, 2026 at 11pm Eastern Standard Time. The fund states on its application guidelines page that the closing time is 11pm, while a line on the same page also refers to midnight, so submitting a day early is the safest route.
Each fellow receives a stipend of CAD 4,000 plus up to CAD 500 for reporting expenses. The package also includes monthly online sessions led by experienced journalists and experts, safety training from the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, and one in-person convening with travel expenses covered. Fellows keep full editorial independence and own their work, while the Equality Fund retains the right to publish or reproduce it to promote the fellowship.
The objective is refreshingly simple: at least one published story per fellow, reported from your own community, showing decision-makers the solutions already working on the ground.
What you receive
- A stipend of CAD 4,000 for each of the up to five fellows
- Up to CAD 500 in reporting expenses
- Monthly online programming led by experienced journalists and experts
- Safety training from the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Freedom of the Press Foundation
- One in-person convening, with travel expenses included
- Full editorial independence, with fellows keeping intellectual property rights over their work
- Freelance journalists paid by a publishing outlet can keep both the publication fee and the fellowship stipend
Who can apply
- At least three years of journalism experience
- Located in, and reporting on, communities in ODA-recipient countries
- Working journalist in any platform: text, digital, video or audio
- Three strong journalism samples that showcase a range of relevant work
- Able to accommodate meetings within daytime hours in Eastern Standard Time
- Fluent in English, the working language of the Equality Fund
- Strong affinity with the mission and values of the fund: equality and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and disability
- Women, non-binary and trans people are encouraged to apply
- An account with a bank that can accept international electronic wire transfers
Who should not apply
- Use of AI in the proposal and application is not permitted
- AI use during the journalistic process must be disclosed to the programme and approved in advance
- Full-time newsroom staff must notify their newsroom of the fellowship stipend
Documents to prepare
- Three journalism samples that showcase a range of relevant work
- Details of your journalism experience and background
- A letter of editorial commitment from a news outlet if you are shortlisted (a fact-checking plan may substitute for this in some self-publishing cases)
How to apply
- Read the application guidelines on the official Equality Fund page for the Global Journalism Fellowship 2026.
- Complete the application form linked as CLICK TO APPLY on that page, the Equality Fund’s official Google Form, before November 8, 2026 at 11pm Eastern Standard Time.
- Submit without using AI in your proposal or application, and disclose any AI use in your journalistic process for advance approval.
- If shortlisted, provide a letter of editorial commitment from a news outlet, or a fact-checking plan where self-publishing applies.
Selection process
- The call runs in phases, with applications reviewed against the eligibility requirements published in the guidelines.
- Shortlisted applicants are asked to submit a letter of editorial commitment from a news outlet.
- Up to five journalists are selected for the 2027 cohort, with programming from January to September 2027.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who is the Equality Fund Global Journalism Fellowship for?
Working journalists with at least three years of experience who are located in, and report on, communities in ODA-recipient countries. Full-time newsroom staff and independent freelancers in text, digital, video or audio can apply.
What does the fellowship provide?
A stipend of CAD 4,000, up to CAD 500 in reporting expenses, monthly online programming, safety training, and one in-person convening with travel expenses included.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on November 8, 2026 at 11pm Eastern Standard Time. The guidelines page also carries a reference to midnight on the same date, so submitting early is the safe choice.
Can I use AI in my application?
No. Use of AI in the proposal and application is not permitted. If AI is used during the journalistic process, it must be disclosed and approved in advance.
Can freelancers keep publication fees?
Yes. Freelance journalists who are paid by the publishing outlet can retain the publication fee as well as the fellowship stipend. Full-time staff journalists must notify their newsroom about the stipend.
Important disclaimer
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