Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence 2022: Choices

The programme, now in its 16th year, provides a 3,000-euro bursary and sustained editorial support to journalists seeking to report in depth on the forces shaping societies and democracies across 14 countries in Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe. The Fellowship emphasises strong storytelling and rigorous, on-the-ground reporting – skills traditionally associated with the best magazine journalism. 

The deadline for this year’s entries is March 31, 2022. 

As usual, applications are solicited under an annual theme. This year’s theme is Choices. Fellowship editor Neil Arun said the theme asks journalists to picture their story along a pathway of options and decisions. “We want to know a little bit about the events and the processes, the ideologies and the policies, that created the conditions for the story that you want to tell,” he said. “In other words, as well as answering the usual questions – the who, what, when, where and why of your story – we want you to think about how we got here, and where might we be going next.” 

The annual selection of 10 journalist Fellows is made by an independent committee. The Fellows are mentored by the programme editor in the course of their reporting, and can also draw on the support of BIRN’s regional network of journalists. In addition to financial and editorial support, the Fellowship offers:

• The chance to participate in an introductory seminar focused on reporting and storytelling techniques
• The chance to win additional awards, worth between 3.000 and 1.000 euros, for the three best stories
• Publication of finished stories in regional languages and in English, through BIRN’s network of media partners
• Membership of the Fellowship alumni network, designed to support networking between journalists who have participated in the programme

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and ERSTE Foundation set up the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence in 2007. 

Since then, more than 140 journalists from 14 countries in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe have taken part in the Fellowship’s world-class programme for professional development.

Originally limited to the Balkan region, the Fellowship expanded in 2020 to accept applications from journalists from the Visegrad countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Journalists wishing to apply may use the official application form. 

Journalists who wish to maximize their chances of a successful application can read more about the Fellowship programme, including tips from our editors.

For more information, please contact us on [email protected]

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