About this opportunity
GIJC is the biennial flagship event of investigative journalism, and the 2027 edition is co hosted by GIJN and VVOJ, the Dutch and Flemish association of investigative journalists, at an iconic concert and congress centre in the heart of Rotterdam. Expect more than 150 expert panels and workshops covering online search techniques, investigating and using artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, climate change, corruption, data journalism, best practices for cross border collaboration, and tools for journalists working under press freedom limitations. It is also a networking event unlike any other, with colleagues from more than 100 countries in the same rooms for five days.
With the support of sponsors and partners, GIJN is offering fellowships to journalists from the Global South and from historically underrepresented groups. A full fellowship covers round trip airfare to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport, transport between the airport and the conference hotel, four nights of hotel accommodation, conference registration, the cocktail reception on the evening of 19 October, breakfast on the conference days from 20 to 23 October, lunch on full conference days, and the award ceremony dinner on the evening of 22 October. The number of fellowships is not fixed yet, but the previous conference brought nearly 130 fellows from 80 countries and territories, and partial fellowships may also be offered to a number of candidates, with an option in the form to express interest in being considered for one.
The fellowship comes with a give back obligation and some honest limits. After the conference, fellows must either produce a story directly related to GIJC27 or give a presentation to colleagues or the wider journalism community based on what they learned. The fellowship does not include a per diem, visa fees, or transport to and from your home country airport, because this is a training conference and fellows are expected to cover those costs themselves. Applications are considered in English only, and a working knowledge of English is required since the panels and workshops run in English.
Who may apply is deliberately broad. The call is open to professional print, online, television, video, radio, documentary and multimedia journalists, including freelance journalists in developing or transitioning countries, with experience in investigative or data journalism counted as a plus rather than a hard requirement. GIJN publishes a list of eligible countries and prioritises journalists from the Global South and underrepresented groups, but its own guidance is direct: if you cannot afford to attend and your country is not on the list, apply anyway and explain your situation in the Additional Notes field of the form. Applications close on 31 January 2027, no closing time is stated, and because of the high volume of applications GIJN cannot update applicants individually, so read the criteria carefully and write to fellowships@gijn.org only if your question is genuinely unanswered.
What you receive
- Round trip airfare to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or the nearest major airport
- Transport between the airport and the conference hotel
- Hotel accommodation for four nights
- Conference registration fee covered
- Cocktail reception on the evening of 19 October 2027
- Breakfast on conference days, 20 to 23 October 2027, and lunch on full conference days
- Award ceremony dinner on the evening of 22 October 2027
- Access to more than 150 expert panels and workshops on investigative techniques, AI, satellite imagery, data journalism, climate and corruption reporting
- Networking and collaboration with colleagues from more than 100 countries
- Consideration for a partial fellowship if a full fellowship is not available, by opting in on the application form
Who can apply
- Professional print, online, television, video, radio, documentary or multimedia journalists, including freelance journalists in developing or transitioning countries
- Experience in investigative or data journalism is a plus but not a mandatory requirement
- A working knowledge of English, since panels, workshops and the application itself are in English
- Journalists from the Global South and from historically underrepresented groups are prioritised
- Applicants from countries not on the eligible country list who cannot cover the cost of attending are still invited to apply and explain their situation under Additional Notes
Who should not apply
- No per diem, visa fees, or transport to and from your home country airport, fellows are expected to pay these costs themselves
- No cash stipend, the fellowship covers conference attendance costs rather than income
- Fellows must produce a story related to GIJC27 or give a presentation to the journalism community after the conference, so it is not an all expenses paid trip with no deliverable
- Only fellowship applications written in English will be considered
- GIJN cannot update applicants individually on application status because of the volume received
- The final number of fellowships is not yet fixed and depends on further funding
Documents to prepare
- A completed GIJC27 fellowship application form, submitted in English
- Details of your professional journalism work and, if relevant, your investigative or data reporting experience
- A note on how you will use the training after the conference, since fellows must produce a related story or presentation afterwards
How to apply
- Read the official fellowship announcement at https://gijn.org/stories/gijc2027-fellowship-application/ and the eligibility criteria in full.
- Check the eligible country list referenced on the announcement page, and if your country is not listed and you cannot cover the cost of attending, plan to apply anyway and explain your situation in the Additional Notes field.
- Open the official application form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMevtXOjmczafwdmbvMQ6-hZpbQwLf9Iop4EGMTA3WnGlNog/viewform.
- Complete the form in English, describing your journalism work and how you will make great use of the training, and indicate whether you wish to be considered for a partial fellowship.
- Submit well before 31 January 2027, the stated deadline with no closing time, so technical issues do not cost you the round.
- Watch your email for the fellowship decision, which GIJN sends to successful applicants by the end of April 2027.
- If selected, begin your travel and visa arrangements early, since visa fees and local transport to your home airport are not covered, and plan your post conference story or presentation.
Selection process
- Applications are competitive, and GIJN asks applicants to convince reviewers they will make strong use of the training
- Journalists from the Global South and from historically underrepresented groups are prioritised
- Experience in investigative or data journalism strengthens an application
- The number of full fellowships depends on final funding from sponsors and partners, with partial fellowships possible for some candidates
- Successful fellows are notified by email by the end of April 2027
- After the conference, fellows complete a required story or presentation tied to what they learned at GIJC27
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Deutsche Welle International Journalism Traineeship 2028/2029, 12 Paid Places in Bonn and Berlin
Deutsche Welle, Germany's international public broadcaster, has opened applications for its bilingual 18 month journalism traineeship taking place from January 2028. Twelve paid places await trainees in Bonn and Berlin, with a foreign bureau placement in Brussels, Washington, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Riga or Delhi, and a training salary that rises from 2,196 euros to 2,473 euros a month before tax. The programme asks applicants worldwide, Nigerians and other Africans included, for native level skill in a DW programme language such as Hausa, Kiswahili, Amharic or English, plus good German, and the application portal closes on 17 November 2026 at 12 noon German time.
Questions applicants ask
Who is the fellowship for?
Professional journalists across print, online, television, video, radio, documentary and multimedia formats, including freelancers working in developing or transitioning countries. Investigative or data journalism experience helps but is not mandatory, and journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups are prioritised.
What exactly does a full fellowship cover?
Round trip airfare to Rotterdam, airport transfers, four nights of hotel, conference registration, the cocktail reception on 19 October, breakfasts from 20 to 23 October, lunches on full conference days, and the award ceremony dinner on 22 October 2027.
What does it not cover?
A per diem, visa fees, and transport to and from your airport in your home country. GIJN is explicit that this is a training conference and fellows pay those costs themselves.
My country is not on the eligible list. Should I still apply?
Yes, if you cannot cover the cost to attend. GIJN invites you to apply anyway and explain your circumstances under Additional Notes in the form.
Do I have to do anything after the conference?
Yes. Fellows are required to either produce a story directly related to GIJC27 or give a presentation based on the knowledge gained to colleagues or the wider journalism community.
When is the deadline and when will I hear back?
Applications close on 31 January 2027, with no closing time stated, and successful fellows are notified by email by the end of April 2027.
Can I apply in a language other than English?
No. Only fellowship applications written in English will be considered, and a working knowledge of English is required because the conference runs in English.
Who can I contact with questions?
Write to fellowships@gijn.org, but only after reading the eligibility criteria, requirement guidelines and application form, because the volume of applications means GIJN cannot answer status queries.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
