IPI journalism and media freedom research fellowship

The International Press Institute (IPI) journalism and media freedom research fellowship aims to provide a platform to journalists, media experts, advanced MA candidates and graduates, PhD candidates, and early post-doctoral researchers. It aims at engagement with rigorous that can inform policy, advocacy, and innovation in media and free expression.

As part of the Helsingin Sanomat Fellowship Programme, the call is open to applicants affiliated with organisations and institutions based in Finland. Fellows will be based in IPI’s Vienna office and will benefit from mentorship, peer exchange, professional development and integration in IPI’s global network.

Thematics 

Specific fellowship outcomes may include:

• Original research, policy analysis, or journalistic work addressing pressing issues in media freedom and freedom of information.
• Written/audio/visual publications useful for both scholarly audiences and media /civil society/policy stakeholders.
• Contribution to IPI’s knowledge base, enabling advocacy or capacity-building in relevant areas.

IPI’s areas of interest include:

• Media regulation and media policy
• Press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information
• The relationship between media, democracy, and security
• Media capture, media ownership, and political influence
• Innovation in media business models, sustainability, and local journalism
• Climate journalism
• Disinformation, with a focus on climate and environmental journalism
• Digital threats and the safety of journalists
• Investigative journalism, journalistic practices and methodologies, with a focus on collaboration
• Media archives and archival practices in journalism

Requirements 

Fellows are expected to:

• Commit to a workweek of 35 hours for the period of the residence, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
• Produce an agreed output by the end of the fellowship (journalistic article(s), report, working paper, data visualisation, podcast series, video or audio documentary, etc.).
• Participate in internal events and meetings to discuss and present their work in progress.
• Submit a short final report evaluating their experience, outputs, and lessons learned.

What the fellowship offers

• The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation offers a compensation package ranging from €1,870 to € 2,600 per month, depending on the qualifications of the selected applicant.
• The fellows will also receive a one time travel stipend of €250 to cover their travel from Helsinki to Vienna.
• A travel fund allowing the fellow to join IPI conferences, events, and advocacy missions.
• Access to the IPI office and a desk, however, no laptop or workstation will be provide. We will ask fellows to bring their own device.
• Access to the IPI archive.
• Mentorship from IPI staff or associated experts.
• Guidance in publication and dissemination.
• Networking opportunities through travel and engagement with IPI’s global network of editors, journalists, and publishers in more than 100 countries.
• Unique opportunity to learn about and directly contribute to IPI’s global’s work to support and defend press freedom.

How to apply

Applicants should apply using this online form by 13 March 2026. Additionally, applicants can attend a Q&A and Info-session organised by IPI on February 23 by registering here.

For more information, please visit this page.