Ocean Reporting Network Fellowship — Fellowship

The Ocean Reporting Network (ORN) is a Pulitzer Center initiative launched in May 2023 that pays experienced journalists to spend a full year on one in-depth or investigative ocean story. Up to eight Fellowships are available in the fourth cohort, which starts in January 2027. Fellows keep working from their own newsroom: staff journalists stay with their employer, and freelancers arrange an outlet that agrees to host, edit, and publish the project.

The Pulitzer Center covers a full-time salary and a separate reporting budget, and editors from its Environmental Investigations Unit, led by Ocean Editor Jessica Aldred, edit and mentor the work alongside a data and research team. The network is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and follows the model of the Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network. Three cohorts since 2023 have included journalists based in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

Benefits & funding

Full-time competitive salary or stipend for up to 12 months, paid monthly and set according to the Fellow’s location and level of experience.
Up to $10,000 USD in reporting expenses, covering costs such as flights, fuel, consultants, photographers, legal review, and data analysis.
Dedicated editing and mentorship from the Pulitzer Center Ocean Editor and the Environmental Investigations Unit.
Year-long training in follow-the-money research, satellite imagery, data analysis, corporate research, and digital investigation tools.
Support from the Center’s data and research team, including access to databases such as Sayari, MarineTraffic, Panjiva, and LexisNexis.
Collaboration through Center partnerships with Global Fishing Watch, Earth Genome, and OCCRP.
Engagement support to amplify the reporting, plus republication of the stories on the Pulitzer Center website.
A peer network of co-Fellows reporting on the ocean worldwide.

Eligibility

Staff or freelance journalists working in any format: print, radio, video, or multimedia.
A proven track record of investigative or in-depth ocean or environmental reporting.
Solid understanding of ocean issues and their scientific, environmental, social, legal, political, and commercial dimensions.
Ability to work collaboratively with journalists across newsrooms and borders, and willingness to take part in community outreach around the reporting.
A letter of support from the employing newsroom; freelancers must first secure an outlet that commits to hosting, editing, and publishing the project.
A valid passport with more than six months remaining before expiry.
Open to journalists based anywhere in the world. The Center says it particularly welcomes applications from the Global South and wants more reporting from Asia-Pacific and east Africa.
Applications are encouraged in English, and materials in other languages are accepted.
Teams may apply, with one person named as the Fellow. An outlet can support only one candidate per cycle.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

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Application process

1
Line up the newsroom that will employ or host you for the year, and ask its editor for a letter of support describing the project.
2
Write a project description of up to 800 words setting out a concrete investigation, with pre-reporting that shows its scope and feasibility.
3
Write a publication and distribution plan of up to 500 words naming the target audiences and how the work will reach them.
4
Write a statement of purpose of up to 500 words on how the Fellowship fits your career and why you are a strong candidate.
5
Gather a resume or CV, three examples of impactful investigations published in the past five years, and three professional references or letters of recommendation.
6
Submit the application through the Pulitzer Center portal during the window that opens on 24 August 2026 and closes on 13 September 2026 at 11:59pm EDT. Questions go to Ocean Editor Jessica Aldred at jaldred@pulitzercenter.org.

Program timeline

Applications open
Aug 24, 2026
Application deadline, 11:59pm EDT
Sep 13, 2026
Interviews with shortlisted candidates
October 2026
The 12-month Fellowship starts
January 2027
Month 10 of the Fellowship
Target for publishing the reporting