Environmental Journalism Story Incubator #SEJ2026

Are you an Environment Reporter and have a big reporting idea? What if you could tap into the expertise of great team of editors and leaders in data-driven reporting, narrative storytelling, visual journalism, audience engagement, and social media to make your work reach even further?

The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is calling for applications for the Environmental Journalism Story Incubator at the this year’s edition of its annual conference #SEJ2026 in Chicago (April 15-18, 2026). The incubator is one-day workshop and mini-fellowship that gives journalists the opportunity to build a plan for turning an idea-in-progress into a deeply reported project.

What the incubator offers

• The opportunity to develop a project in consultation with editors from publications such as bioGraphic Magazine, Sentient Media, Mongabay, Grist, and the Food and Environment Reporting Network, along with the Pulitzer Center and Covering Climate Now.
• A stipend of $1,000 to cover travel and lodging, plus conference registration.

Eligibility

• The opportunity is for freelance journalists and staff reporters open to outside collaboration.
• Journalists from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must be available to attend SEJ2026 on April 15, 2026.

How to apply 

Applicants may apply using this application form. Applicants should submit applications no later than March 2, 2026.  Alternatively, they can also submit by secure email to EJstoryincubator@proton.me. In these case they need to send the following:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• A current resume
• A pitch (1,000 words max), see guidlines here.
• Workshop goals: 300 words max – workshop goals – What would you like to achieve through this workshop?

For more information, please visit this page.