Are you a journalist passionate about climate change, environmental issues, and impactful storytelling? The COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) Reporting Fellowship 2026 is now accepting applications from journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries who want to cover one of the world’s most important climate events. This fully funded fellowship will support selected participants to attend and report from the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to November 20, 2026.
The fellowship is organized by the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in partnership with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security under the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) initiative. Since its launch in 2007, the program has supported more than 550 journalists from developing countries, enabling them to report on international climate negotiations and bring critical climate stories to audiences worldwide.
About the COP31 Fellowship
Climate change continues to be one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting communities, economies, and ecosystems around the world. Journalists play a vital role in explaining climate policies, reporting on environmental impacts, and highlighting solutions that can help societies adapt and respond.
The COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship aims to strengthen climate journalism by providing reporters with direct access to global climate negotiations, policymakers, scientists, activists, and experts. Fellows will gain valuable experience covering international climate discussions while receiving mentorship and editorial guidance from experienced climate journalists.
The conference will bring together government leaders, negotiators, researchers, environmental organizations, and media professionals from around the globe to discuss climate action and future commitments under international climate agreements.
Fellowship Benefits
One of the biggest advantages of this program is that it is fully funded. Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support that allows them to focus entirely on reporting and storytelling.
Benefits include:
- Round-trip economy-class airfare to Türkiye
- Accommodation during the fellowship period
- Meals and daily support
- Travel medical insurance
- Local transportation related to fellowship activities
- Editorial mentorship from experienced climate journalists
- Access to training sessions and workshops
- Networking opportunities with global journalists and climate experts
- Participation in daily briefings and reporting activities
- Opportunities to interview policymakers and climate specialists
- Access to reporting resources and professional guidance throughout COP31
These benefits ensure that journalists from resource-constrained environments can participate in one of the world’s largest climate gatherings without financial barriers.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to professional journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should have a strong interest in climate and environmental reporting and must be affiliated with an established media organization or demonstrate a clear publishing platform for their work.
Ideal applicants should:
- Be professional journalists or creator journalists
- Come from eligible low- and middle-income countries
- Have experience covering climate change, environmental issues, or climate policy
- Demonstrate strong storytelling and reporting skills
- Be able to produce multiple stories during the conference
- Commit to participating in fellowship activities
- Have support from a media outlet or established audience platform where their stories will be published or shared
The organizers are particularly interested in applicants who can present unique perspectives and stories from regions most vulnerable to climate change.
What Fellows Will Do
Selected fellows will travel to Antalya, Türkiye, and report directly from COP31. During the conference, they will:
- Attend official climate negotiations
- Participate in briefings and workshops
- Interview policymakers and experts
- Cover climate-related developments and agreements
- Produce articles, videos, podcasts, social media content, or multimedia reports
- Share stories with audiences in their home countries and beyond
Participants will also receive mentorship that helps them navigate the complexity of climate negotiations and transform technical discussions into accessible and engaging stories for the public.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Climate change affects every region differently, yet many communities most impacted by environmental challenges remain underrepresented in international media coverage.
The COP31 Reporting Fellowship helps bridge this gap by supporting journalists from developing countries and climate-vulnerable regions. Fellows gain the opportunity to bring local perspectives to global discussions while ensuring that audiences receive accurate and evidence-based information about climate policies and actions.
By empowering journalists with resources, training, and international exposure, the fellowship contributes to stronger environmental journalism and greater public awareness of climate issues.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on several factors, including:
- Previous experience in climate and environmental reporting
- Quality of published work samples
- Understanding of climate-related issues
- Strength and originality of proposed reporting ideas
- Potential impact of stories on target audiences
- Ability to communicate complex climate topics effectively
- Commitment to producing meaningful journalism during the fellowship period
The program also seeks to create a diverse cohort of fellows representing different regions, media formats, and perspectives.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: May 27, 2026
- Application Deadline: June 17, 2026
- COP31 Conference Dates: November 9–20, 2026
- Location: Antalya, Türkiye
Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their work samples, reporting proposals, and supporting documents as early as possible.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online application form before the deadline. They should carefully review the eligibility criteria and prepare all required supporting documents, including examples of previous climate-related journalism work.
A strong application should clearly explain:
- Why the applicant wants to cover COP31
- The climate stories they plan to pursue
- How their reporting will benefit their audience
- Their previous experience in environmental or climate journalism
Well-researched and specific reporting ideas often stand out during the selection process.
Conclusion:
The COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship 2026 is an exceptional opportunity for journalists and creator journalists who are passionate about climate storytelling and environmental reporting. With full financial support, mentorship from leading climate reporters, and direct access to one of the world’s most influential climate conferences, this fellowship can significantly enhance a journalist’s professional growth and impact.
If you have experience reporting on climate issues and want to contribute meaningful stories that inform and inspire action, don’t miss this opportunity to represent your community on a global stage.
Apply before June 17, 2026, and take your climate journalism journey to the next level.
Nabeel Akhter is an international education advocate and scholarship mentor dedicated to helping students access global academic opportunities. He studied in the United States at the University of Massachusetts Amherst through the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders program funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Inspired by this journey, Nabeel now actively mentors and guides students in finding and applying for scholarships, exchange programs, and global learning opportunities, helping them navigate pathways to study and grow internationally.