Do you report on the ocean? The Earth Journalism Network is sending 10 journalists to New York City to cover BBNJ COP1. This is the first big meeting under a historic agreement on the ocean. The fellowship pays for your trip and your stay. Applications close on 27 October 2026.
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Last Information Checked: 18 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
| Fellowship | EJN Reporting Fellowships for Journalists to Cover BBNJ COP1 |
| Organiser | Internews’ Earth Journalism Network |
| Event | BBNJ COP1 in New York City, USA |
| Event dates | 11 to 22 January 2027 |
| Fellows | 10 journalists |
| Balance | Equal numbers from the Global North and the Global South |
| Who can apply | Professional journalists from or representing an established media house in a coastal country |
| Deadline | 27 October 2026 |
About the Fellowship
EJN wants rich and varied coverage of the BBNJ COP all over the world. So it has started a new three year programme. It sends journalists to attend the COP and report on this historic agreement.
The first round is for BBNJ COP1 in 2027. Fellows travel to New York City and attend the full length of the conference. EJN staff run an orientation day on 10 January. Then the conference runs from 11 to 22 January 2027.
Fellowship Benefits
- Flight. A non refundable economy class airfare
- Accommodation. A place to stay in New York City
- Meals. Food during the fellowship
- Insurance. Travel medical insurance
- Transport. Ground transportation costs linked to the fellowship
- Daily money. A per diem for daily expenses during your time in New York City
- Press accreditation. EJN helps you with the press accreditation process
- Logistics. Support with trip planning and other logistics
- Visa costs. EJN reimburses your visa costs
- Orientation. An orientation day organised by EJN staff on 10 January
Who Can Apply
You must meet all of these.
- You are a professional journalist from or representing an established media house
- You report from a coastal country
- You have reported on ocean issues before. Examples are IUU fishing, marine protected areas, the blue economy, sustainable fisheries and marine pollution
- You can clearly say which stories you want to report at the conference
- You can be in New York City from 9 January to 23 January 2027
- You have a good command of English
- You have an up-to-date CV or resume
- You have a letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor
- You have recent work samples about ocean issues
Freelancers can apply. A freelancer must provide a letter of support from a media outlet they plan to report for.
What To Prepare
| Item | What to include |
| CV or resume | Your up to date work history |
| Letter of support | Written by an editor producer or supervisor. It must confirm that your reports will be published or broadcast by an established media outlet |
| Work samples | Recent and relevant stories about ocean issues. Upload documents or add web links |
| Story ideas | A clear note on the kinds of stories you will report from the conference |
| Language note | Stories may be in any language if you add a short English synopsis |
| Bylines and dates | Each story needs a clear byline and must be published in the last 12 months |
How Judges Choose
The judges look for three things:
- Proven experience in covering ocean and other environmental topics
- A long term commitment to journalism and to reporting on ocean topics
- A link to an established media house and a signed letter from an editor producer or supervisor who agrees to publish or broadcast your work from the fellowship
How To Apply
- Check that you can be in New York City from 9 to 23 January 2027.
- Ask your editor or media outlet for a signed letter of support.
- Choose your best recent ocean stories. Make sure each has a clear byline and was published in the last 12 months.
- Write a short English synopsis for any story that is not in English.
- Update your CV.
- Write down the stories you plan to cover at the conference.
- Open the official EJN application page.
- Upload your documents and submit before 27 October 2026.
How To Make Your Application Stronger
- Pick stories that show real ocean reporting and not only general environment news
- Choose story ideas that match the BBNJ COP1 and your audience
- Show that your outlet will really publish or broadcast your work
- Show that you will keep reporting on the ocean after the conference
- Use clear and recent work samples with bylines
Where Other Listings Add Details
Some other websites list extra details that were not in the call text I used. Check them on the official page before you plan.
- Two stories. Some listings say fellows must produce at least two in-depth stories during the fellowship or within two weeks after it
- Training. Some listings mention a virtual workshop before the conference and daily briefings with media trainers
- Priority countries. One listing says EJN especially encourages applicants from Namibia, Ecuador, Peru, Seychelles, Japan, Spain, Canada and South Korea
- Deadline time. One listing gives the deadline as 11:59 PM in the Niue time zone. Submit early so a time zone does not cost you the chance
Key Dates
- 27 October 2026: Application deadline
- 9 January 2027: Fellows arrive in New York City
- 10 January 2027: Orientation day
- 11 to 22 January 2027: BBNJ COP1
- 23 January 2027: Fellows leave New York City