Deadline: January 9, 2026
The EJN Extreme Weather in the Philippines Investigative Reporting Fellowship 2026 is an opportunity for journalists in the Philippines to investigate, report, and expose critical issues around climate change, extreme weather preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and public accountability.
This fellowship is designed to support in-depth, high-impact investigative journalism that strengthens public understanding and improves climate resilience across vulnerable communities.
About the EJN Extreme Weather in the Philippines Investigative Reporting Fellowship 2026
The EJN Extreme Weather in the Philippines Investigative Reporting Fellowship 2026 is organised by the Earth Journalism Network (EJN), with support from Internews and Sida. The programme supports journalists to produce rigorous investigative stories examining how the Philippines prepares for, responds to, and recovers from extreme weather events.
The fellowship combines financial support, expert mentorship, and professional training to ensure participating journalists can carry out ambitious, impactful investigations.
Fellowship Objectives
This fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen investigative reporting on extreme weather and climate resilience in the Philippines
- Promote accountability in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
- Examine the effectiveness of public spending and climate adaptation policies
- Highlight gaps between climate plans and real-world implementation
What the Fellowship Offers
Selected fellows will receive:
- Up to 12 fellowships awarded
- Funding support of approximately PHP 118,000 per fellow to cover reporting costs
- A three-day investigative reporting workshop scheduled for early 2026
- One-on-one editorial mentorship from experienced journalists throughout the reporting process
Key Focus Areas
Proposed investigations should focus on one or more of the following themes:
1. Financial Accountability
Investigations tracking how disaster management and climate adaptation funds are allocated, spent, and whether they deliver measurable results.
2. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Reporting on the effectiveness of infrastructure such as flood controls, sea walls, evacuation centres, and other protective systems.
3. Preparedness and Policy Gaps
Stories examining discrepancies between government climate action plans and their actual execution at national or local levels.
4. Ecosystem Degradation and Vulnerability
Investigations linking environmental damage—such as deforestation or coastal erosion—to increased exposure to extreme weather risks.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be journalists based in the Philippines
- Have a minimum of two years’ professional journalism experience
- Work in any media format, including print, digital, television, radio, or multimedia
- Be a freelance or staff journalist
- Submit a clear, original, and feasible investigative story proposal with strong public interest and potential impact
- Provide a signed letter of commitment from a publisher or media organisation guaranteeing publication or broadcast of the final story
- Disclose any use of generative AI tools in developing the proposal
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Relevance and importance of the proposed topic
- Originality and freshness of the investigative angle
- Potential audience reach and accessibility
- Expected public impact and engagement
- Use of innovative storytelling approaches, including multimedia or data-driven reporting
- Feasibility of completing and publishing the story by the required deadline
Important Dates
- Application deadline: 9 January 2026
- Reporting and publication deadline: End of May 2026
Why Apply for This Fellowship
This fellowship offers journalists a rare opportunity to:
- Conduct deep investigative reporting with financial and editorial support
- Gain specialised training in climate and extreme weather journalism
- Produce impactful stories that can influence policy, accountability, and public awareness
Need Support With Your Application?
We provide professional support for proposal drafting, refining, and review to help strengthen your application and improve your chances of success.
👉 Contact us for expert assistance tailored to investigative journalism fellowships.
