Ocean Nexus International Fellowship 2026 for Journalists: Receive $2,000 Funding to Report on Ocean Justice, Equity, and Environmental Change

Applications are now open for the Ocean Nexus International Fellowship 2026, a unique three-month opportunity designed for journalists who are passionate about exploring the connections between ocean governance, environmental justice, social equity, and community-centered sustainability.

Created through a partnership between Ocean Nexus and The Uproot Project, this international fellowship seeks to support experienced journalists from outside the United States who are committed to producing impactful stories that highlight how ocean-related policies, environmental challenges, and systemic inequities affect communities worldwide.

Selected fellows will gain access to leading researchers, experts, and networks while receiving financial support to pursue in-depth reporting projects focused on ocean justice and equity.

About the Ocean Nexus International Fellowship

The Ocean Nexus International Fellowship was established to advance transformative conversations around ocean governance, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Ocean Nexus is an initiative dedicated to promoting ocean equity by examining how ocean governance systems impact communities, particularly those that have historically been marginalized or excluded from decision-making processes. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration, Ocean Nexus works to address systemic inequities and hold powerful interests accountable for environmental and social harms.

Working alongside Ocean Nexus researchers and experts, fellows will deepen their understanding of the relationship between oceans and social systems. The fellowship encourages journalists to investigate stories that reveal how environmental policies intersect with issues such as:

• Social inequality
• Economic injustice
• Climate vulnerability
• Community resilience
• Coastal environmental justice
• Indigenous and local knowledge systems
• Ocean sustainability
• Governance and accountability

Participants will also contribute to the broader journalism community by creating resource guides that help other reporters better understand ocean equity issues and improve future reporting on these important topics.

Fellowship Objectives

The Ocean Nexus International Fellowship is designed around several key goals:

1. Explore the Intersection of Ocean Governance and Social Justice

Fellows will engage deeply with Ocean Nexus research to understand how policies and governance structures influence environmental outcomes and social equity.

Journalists will examine how decisions regarding oceans, coastlines, fisheries, marine resources, and environmental protection can affect communities differently based on factors such as geography, race, income, and historical exclusion.

2. Amplify Marginalized Voices

A central focus of the fellowship is ensuring that communities often left out of environmental decision-making are represented in public discussions.

Fellows will investigate how coastal populations, Indigenous communities, vulnerable groups, and historically marginalized populations experience environmental challenges and ocean-related policies.

3. Strengthen Public Understanding

Through high-quality journalism, fellows will help bridge the gap between scientific research and public awareness.

By translating complex environmental and policy issues into accessible stories, journalists can contribute to informed public conversations and policy discussions surrounding ocean equity and justice.

4. Expand Knowledge on Ocean Equity Reporting

Each fellow will produce resources that can support other journalists in understanding and covering ocean equity issues more effectively.

These materials will help strengthen the field of environmental journalism and encourage more nuanced reporting on ocean-related challenges.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a range of professional and financial benefits, including:

Financial Support

• Fellowship stipend of $2,000
• Funding provided directly by Ocean Nexus to support fellowship activities and reporting efforts

Access to Expertise

Participants will gain direct access to:

• Ocean Nexus researchers
• Scientists and subject-matter experts
• Ocean governance specialists
• Environmental justice practitioners
• Global networks working on ocean equity

Professional Development

Fellows will have opportunities to:

• Deepen expertise in ocean justice reporting
• Engage with global conversations on environmental equity
• Build relationships with researchers and policy experts
• Expand professional journalism networks

Community Support

Participants will benefit from engagement with The Uproot Project community, which supports journalists covering environmental and climate-related topics.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship will run for a period of three months:

June 2026 – August 2026

During this period, fellows will work on reporting projects while collaborating with Ocean Nexus researchers and experts.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Ocean Nexus International Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Geographic and Citizenship Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be based outside the United States
• Not be a U.S. citizen

Membership Requirements

Applicants must be members of:

• The Uproot Project as of May 15, 2026

OR

• One of the following collaborating journalism organizations:
  • Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association
  • Asian American Journalists Association
  • Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists
  • Indigenous Journalists Association
  • Military Veterans in Journalism
  • National Association of Black Journalists
  • National Association of Hispanic Journalists
  • South Asian Journalists Association
  • Trans Journalists Association

Professional Experience Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Between 5 and 15 years of experience covering climate or environmental topics

Freelance Journalist Eligibility

Freelancers are encouraged to apply.

However, freelance applicants must demonstrate a commitment from a news organization willing to publish the work produced through the fellowship.

Additional Expectations

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong interest in ocean justice and environmental equity
• Commitment to community-centered storytelling
• Passion for advancing sustainability through journalism
• Interest in science-based and policy-focused reporting

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documents and materials:

1. Letter of Support

A letter from:

• An editor

OR

• A news organization that regularly works with the applicant

The letter must be submitted in PDF format.

2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must provide:

• A current resume or CV
• Submitted in PDF format

3. Writing Samples

Applicants may submit:

• Up to three writing samples demonstrating reporting experience

4. Statement of Interest

Maximum: 500 words

The statement should explain:

• Commitment to ocean equity and justice
• Alignment with fellowship goals
• Relevant reporting interests and experiences

5. Reporting Project Proposal

Applicants must describe:

• The story they hope to pursue
• Preferred reporting format (digital, audio, video, multimedia, etc.)
• Why the story matters
• Expected impact of the reporting project

6. Additional Responses

Applicants will also be asked about:

• Fellowship learning objectives
• Personal connection to the issue or affected community
• Project timeline
• Publishing plans
• Previous environmental reporting experience

Important Application Note

Applicants should be aware that the fellowship organizers have explicitly stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be used to complete the fellowship application.

According to the program guidelines, responses suspected of being generated by AI may not be considered during the review process.

Applicants should ensure that all application materials reflect their own original work, experiences, and perspectives.

Application Deadline

DEADLINE: June 14 by 11:59pm GMT

Click here for more and to apply

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical challenges.

Why Journalists Should Apply

The Ocean Nexus International Fellowship offers a rare opportunity for journalists to investigate some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing communities worldwide.

Beyond the financial support, fellows gain access to world-class expertise, valuable professional networks, and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to global conversations about ocean sustainability, environmental justice, and equitable governance.

For journalists seeking to produce impactful stories that connect environmental issues with human experiences, this fellowship provides both the resources and support needed to deepen reporting and drive meaningful public engagement.

Interested applicants should prepare their materials and submit their applications before the June 14, 2026 deadline.

For more global fellowship opportunities click here