Deadline: December 1, 2025
The Press On Freedomways Reporting Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications, offering a unique eight-month opportunity for journalists, storytellers and community-driven media practitioners committed to social justice reporting across the U.S. South. This prestigious programme is designed to strengthen movement journalism, support longform and investigative storytelling, and uplift voices working at the intersections of race, community, equity and liberation. The Press On Freedomways Reporting Fellowship 2026 provides financial support, mentorship, training, and a platform to amplify impactful narratives that centre Southern communities.
About the Opportunity
The Fellowship is an eight-month virtual programme running from March to October 2026, designed to nurture journalists who practise or aspire to practise movement journalism. Six fellows will be selected to participate in monthly learning sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and guided story development with a focus on community-rooted, justice-oriented reporting.
Fellows receive access to expert trainers, newsroom leaders, editors and movement strategists who will support their reporting journeys. The programme encourages investigative, narrative or enterprise reporting that highlights urgent issues affecting marginalised communities across the Southern region of the United States.
Eligibility
Applicants are encouraged from a wide range of journalism and storytelling backgrounds, including:
- Community-based media organisations
- Nonprofit newsrooms and rural outlets
- Worker-owned publications and editorial collectives
- Freelance journalists
- Writers, essayists and creative nonfiction storytellers
- Mid-career journalists transitioning into community-based reporting
The programme prioritises applicants who are:
- Based in, connected to, or reporting about the U.S. South, including states such as Texas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and others
- Deeply engaged with marginalised communities
- From historically underrepresented groups including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, disabled reporters, rural community members
Applicants do not need to currently live in the South, provided their work maintains meaningful connections to Southern communities and issues.
Benefits / Award Details
- Stipend: USD $1,000 per month for eight months ($8,000 total)
- Mentorship: Ongoing support from experienced editors, journalists and movement-aligned storytellers
- Training: Monthly virtual workshops covering reporting techniques, narrative craft, research skills, engagement strategies and more
- Story Development Support: Guidance in creating a longform, investigative or enterprise story focused on Southern-based social justice issues
- Publishing Support: Assistance with pitching stories to local, regional and national media partners
Application Requirements / Documents
Selected fellows will be expected to:
- Submit a detailed story pitch outlining the reporting focus, community relevance and anticipated impact
- Attend monthly virtual training sessions and check-ins
- Work alongside mentors through regular editorial reviews
- Develop a community or audience engagement plan
- Complete and publish one longform, investigative, or movement journalism-aligned story during the fellowship period
Timeline / Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
- Fellowship Duration: March – October 2026
How to Apply
Interested applicants must complete the online application form and submit all required materials before the deadline.
Selection Process
Fellows will be chosen based on:
- Strength and clarity of story proposal
- Demonstrated commitment to movement journalism
- Community-centred approach and understanding of Southern-rooted issues
- Potential impact of proposed reporting
- Alignment with programme values of justice, liberation and collective storytelling
Additional Information / Terms
The Fellowship is entirely virtual, allowing participants to join from any location while maintaining a focus on Southern-centred reporting. Fellows must commit to consistent participation, deadlines, communication and programme activities throughout the eight-month cycle.
Host Organisation
Press On is a Southern media collective committed to strengthening movement journalism by supporting community-centred storytellers, advancing media justice frameworks, and building the narrative power of marginalised communities throughout the U.S. South.
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