Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Global Investigative Journalism Conference Fellowship 2027 is a competitive opportunity for professional journalists from developing and transitioning countries to attend the world’s premier investigative journalism gathering. The 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC27) takes place from October 19–23, 2027, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, co-hosted by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and De Vereniging van Onderzoeksjournalisten (VVOJ), the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists.
This fellowship removes financial barriers that typically prevent journalists from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other Global South regions from accessing world-class training, networking, and collaboration opportunities with leading investigative reporters worldwide.
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What the Fellowship Covers
GIJC27 Full Fellowships are comprehensive and include:
- Round-trip airfare to Rotterdam, The Netherlands (or nearest major airport)
- Ground transport between airport and conference hotel
- Hotel accommodation for four nights
- Cocktail reception on the evening of October 19th
- Breakfast on all conference days (October 20–23)
- Lunch on full conference days (October 20–23)
- Award ceremony dinner on the evening of October 22nd
- Full conference registration fee
This represents approximately US$3,000–5,000 in value per fellow, depending on origin country.
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Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to:
- Professional print, online, television, video, radio, documentary, and multimedia journalists
- Applicants from developing or transitioning countries (including all African nations)
- Journalists with demonstrated experience in investigative or data journalism (preferred but not mandatory)
For Zimbabwean and SADC region applicants: All countries in the Southern African Development Community qualify as developing nations under this program. Freelance journalists with verifiable professional portfolios are eligible alongside staff reporters.
Fellowship Requirements
Unlike typical conference attendance, this fellowship carries a post-conference obligation. Fellows must complete ONE of the following within a reasonable timeframe after returning home:
- Produce a published investigative story directly related to themes, sources, or techniques encountered at #GIJC27
- Deliver a presentation to colleagues or the broader journalism community sharing knowledge gained at the conference
This requirement ensures fellowship benefits extend beyond individual recipients to strengthen investigative journalism capacity in home countries.
The Conference Venue
GIJC27 convenes at de Doelen ICC Rotterdam, an iconic concert and congress center situated in Rotterdam’s city center. The venue provides professional facilities for panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, and the prestigious Global Shining Light Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in investigative reporting under duress.
Why This Matters for African Journalists
Investigative journalism in Zimbabwe and across Africa faces significant resource constraints, legal pressures, and limited access to advanced training. The GIJC fellowship directly addresses these gaps by:
- Connecting African reporters with global editors, funders, and collaborators
- Providing training in data journalism, security, and cross-border reporting
- Building lasting professional networks that enable future collaborative investigations
- Demonstrating viable career pathways in investigative reporting
Previous GIJC fellowships have enabled African journalists to expose corruption, environmental crimes, and human rights violations with international support and methodology.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the official GIJN fellowship portal. The process typically requires:
- Complete personal and professional information
- Curriculum vitae or resume highlighting journalism experience
- Work samples demonstrating investigative or data journalism capability
- Letter of motivation explaining how GIJC27 attendance advances your work
- Editor or supervisor contact information for verification
- Proposed story or presentation concept for post-conference requirement
Selection prioritizes candidates whose work shows clear potential for impact and who demonstrate commitment to sharing knowledge with home-country colleagues.
Timeline and Planning
Successful applicants should prepare for:
- Pre-conference orientation and security planning (recommended for high-risk environments)
- Arrival in Rotterdam by October 18, 2027
- Four nights hotel stay (checking out October 23)
- Active participation in conference programming October 19–23
- Post-conference follow-up within 3–6 months
Netherlands visa requirements apply for Zimbabwean and most African passport holders. GIJN typically provides invitation letters for successful fellows to support visa applications.
Official scholarship page: https://gijn.org/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
