The Ocean Nexus International Fellowship supports experienced journalists reporting on the ocean. It is run by Ocean Nexus, an ocean-equity research institute built on The Nippon Foundation’s program, in collaboration with The Uproot Project, a network for environmental journalists. The 2026 term runs three months, June to August, and is open only to journalists based in a country outside the United States who are not US citizens.
Fellows stay in their own countries and newsrooms while pursuing a reporting project at the intersection of ocean governance, social justice and equity. Ocean Nexus contributes its network and expertise, matched to what each fellow’s project needs.
Benefits & funding
- US$2,000 per fellow, contributed by Ocean Nexus.
- A three-month fellowship term (June–August 2026).
- Access to the Ocean Nexus network and expertise, shaped around the fellow’s reporting project.
- Free membership of The Uproot Project, the environmental-journalist network that co-runs the fellowship.
Eligibility
- Journalists based in a country outside the United States. Applicants must not be US citizens.
- 5 to 15 years covering climate or environmental topics.
- Membership of The Uproot Project, or of a partner association, by 15 May 2026. Partners listed are NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, SAJA, LGBTQ+ Journalists, the Indigenous Journalists Association, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association, Military Veterans in Journalism, and the Trans Journalists Association. Uproot membership is free and open to journalists of all backgrounds.
- Freelancers may apply, with a commitment from a news organization to publish the work produced during the fellowship.
- A demonstrated interest in ocean sustainability, equity and justice.
- No degree requirement is stated; selection rests on reporting experience.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Experience required
5–15 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Join The Uproot Project (free) or hold membership in one of the listed partner associations, in place by 15 May 2026.
- 2Obtain a letter of support from an editor or from a news organization you work with regularly (PDF).
- 3Prepare a resume or CV (PDF) and up to three writing samples.
- 4Write a statement of interest of 500 words maximum on your commitment to ocean equity and justice.
- 5Submit everything through the Google Form linked from the fellowship page by the deadline, 14 June, 11:59pm GMT. The form does not save partial answers, so draft elsewhere and paste in one sitting.
- 6Do not use AI to write the application. The organizers state that responses suspected of being AI-written will not be considered.
Program timeline
Uproot Project or partner-association membership must be in place
15 May 2026
Application deadline, 11:59pm GMT
14 June 2026
Three-month fellowship term
June–August 2026