BIRN Journalistic Excellence Fellowship 2026

• Eligibility Criteria: Journalists with professional experience from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. Applicants must hold citizenship or permanent residence in one of these countries.
• Type of Funding: Reporting Grant
• Region: Balkans
• Application Language: English

Applications for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) Journalistic Excellence Fellowship 2026 are now open. BIRN is offering 8 to 10 fellowships to journalists from Central and South Eastern Europe with compelling story ideas that require on-the-ground reporting, in-depth research, dedicated editorial support, and funding.

Thematics

Under the Journalistic Excellence Fellowship:

• Applications are invited under the theme of Environment.
• An independent selection committee will choose the successful applicants to participate in our annual professional development programme.
• This programme provides training, mentorship, and editorial support to produce a long-form investigative or analytical story for publication by BIRN, its media partners, and regional outlets.
• Published work may include features, analyses, and investigative reports presented in depth for a global audience.
• BIRN focuses  on strong storytelling and rigorous reporting, core elements of high-quality journalism.

What the fellowship offers: 

Selected fellows will receive:

• A bursary of €3,000 to support reporting
• Training and mentorship from experienced editors
• Ongoing editorial guidance and networking opportunities within BIRN’s regional journalistic network
• An introductory seminar in Vienna (11–15 May) focusing on advanced reporting and storytelling
• Additional awards of €1,000–€3,000 for the top three stories
• Publication of stories in English and local languages through BIRN’s network
• Membership in the Fellowship alumni network, connecting journalists across the region

How to apply 

To apply, submit your proposal using the official application form. BIRN encourages applicants to explore more details about the programme here. The application deadline is March 10, 2026. 

For more information, please vist this page.