Posted onFebruary 12, 2026
We are offering 8 to 10 fellowships to journalists from Central and South Eastern Europe with compelling story ideas that require on-the-ground reporting, in-depth research, dedicated editorial support, and funding.
Photo: BIRN/Igor Vujcic
Applications are invited under the theme of Environment. An independent selection committee will choose the successful applicants to participate in our annual professional development programme, which provides training, mentorship, and editorial support to produce a long-form investigative or analytical story for publication by BIRN, its media partners, and regional outlets.
Our published work includes features, analyses, and investigative reports presented in depth for a global audience. We focus on strong storytelling and rigorous reporting, core elements of high-quality journalism.
Who Can Apply?
Journalists with professional experience from the following countries are eligible:
Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. Applicants must hold citizenship or permanent residence in one of these countries.
What the Fellowship Offers?
Selected fellows will receive:
- A bursary of €3,000 to support reporting
- Training and mentorship from experienced editors
- Ongoing editorial guidance and networking opportunities within BIRN’s regional journalistic network
- An introductory seminar in Vienna (11–15 May) focusing on advanced reporting and storytelling
- Additional awards of €1,000–€3,000 for the top three stories
- Publication of stories in English and local languages through BIRN’s network
- Membership in the Fellowship alumni network, connecting journalists across the region
How to Apply?
The application deadline is March 10. To apply, submit your proposal using the official application form.
To increase your chances of selection, we encourage you to explore more details about the programme, including expert tips from our editors.
Here’s what our editor, Neil Arun, has to say about this year’s theme:
At first glance, this year’s topic might give the impression that we want your pitch to focus on a narrow range of themes – climate change, solar farms, pollution and wildlife conservation. Not so. By “environment”, we mean context and setting. This year, we want you to consider the broader structures – social, political, cultural, technological, historical – that lie beneath the story that you want to report. Can you identify the over-arching context that has created the conditions for the story that you want to tell? If the environment has shaped your story, what are the forces that have shaped that environment?
As always, we are looking for pitches that will evolve into compelling, original stories. We want to see evidence that you have done some basic research to test the viability of your pitch. We also want to see that you have the capacity to do an excellent job. The annual theme is here to help you along, not to constrain you. And if you always wanted to report on endangered animals or solar farms, we will still welcome the pitch, as a long as it’s a good story.
About the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence
Since 2007, the Fellowship has supported journalists with funding, mentorship, and editorial guidance to produce in-depth, investigative stories. The programme aims to strengthen independent journalism in the region while advancing the careers of its fellows.
Originally focused on South Eastern Europe, the fellowship expanded in 2020 to include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Past fellows’ stories are published by BIRN and partner outlets, covering topics of regional and global relevance.
To read past Fellowship stories and learn more about the programme, visit the official Fellowship page.