Deadline: November 1, 2025
Are you a journalist passionate about migration, integration, and social cohesion? The CERC Migration and Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced journalists to spend one month at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada, to deepen their knowledge, collaborate with leading scholars, and enhance their reporting on critical global issues.
This prestigious fellowship provides a funded residency, academic collaboration, and a vibrant environment for innovative journalism on migration and bridging societal divides.
Fellowship Overview
The CERC Migration and Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship 2026 is designed for experienced journalists (staff or freelance) who cover topics such as migration, politics, social issues, global affairs, or economics. Hosted by TMU’s Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration, the programme allows fellows to:
- Engage deeply with academic research and resources.
- Strengthen their reporting on migration and integration issues.
- Exchange knowledge with leading scholars, policy experts, and fellow journalists.
- Explore new storytelling approaches and strategies for communicating research to the public.
The fellowship aims to foster meaningful dialogue between journalists and academia, helping to bridge divides in public discourse through rigorous, informed journalism.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- A stipend of CAD 5,000, which includes travel support to and from Toronto.
- Access to TMU’s academic environment, including office space, research workshops, and events.
- Collaboration with an academic host, chosen by the journalist to align with their area of interest.
- The chance to network and work alongside researchers at the forefront of migration and integration studies.
Residency Details
- Location: Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
- Duration: 20–35 consecutive days
- Residency period: Between 1 March and 30 November 2026 (excluding July and August)
Fellows are expected to reside in Toronto for the entire duration of the fellowship to fully engage with the academic environment and research community.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CERC Migration and Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship 2026, applicants must:
- Have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in journalism.
- Be either staff or freelance journalists.
- Have a proven record of covering complex international issues such as migration, politics, or social change.
- Demonstrate the ability to produce impactful journalism that informs public debate and bridges divides.
Application Requirements
A complete application must include the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Maximum 4 pages.
- Cover Letter (Maximum 2 pages) outlining:
- Motivation for applying and how the fellowship will benefit your work.
- How your work aligns with:
- CERC Migration’s research themes or existing projects, or
- Bridging Divides research themes or projects.
- A proposed plan for your residency activities (e.g. field research, workshops, stakeholder engagement).
- Preferred academic host(s) (first and second choices) from TMU research teams. Note: Professor Anna Triandafyllidou cannot be chosen as a host.
- Proposed residency dates (must fall within the eligible period).
- Work Samples – 2 to 3 relevant pieces in PDF format or links to online publications.
- Optional Recommendation Letter – From an editor or supervisor supporting your application.
Application Deadline and Notification
- Application deadline: 1 November 2025
- Notification of successful candidates: January 2026
Why You Should Apply
The CERC Migration and Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship 2026 is more than just a residency—it’s a chance to build bridges between research and public communication, strengthen your professional network, and elevate your journalism through direct engagement with cutting-edge migration scholarship.
If you are passionate about telling migration stories with depth and accuracy, this fellowship is a transformative opportunity.
How to Apply
👉 Click here to apply
👉 Read more about the programme
Need Help with Your Application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review to strengthen your fellowship application and increase your chances of success.
