The EJN Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships 2026 are now open. This fully funded fellowship will send selected journalists to cover COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. If you are a journalist or creator journalist from a low- or middle-income country, this is your chance to report on one of the world’s most important climate events. You will get travel, accommodation, and professional support to cover the UN climate negotiations.
What Makes the EJN Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships 2026 So Special
This fellowship is not just a free trip. It is a career-changing program run by the Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. Since 2007, the CCMP fellowship has supported over 550 journalists from low- and middle-income countries to report from COPs. You will get daily briefings, mentorship from senior climate journalists, and access to exclusive interviews with high-level officials. The program also includes a pre-COP virtual workshop to help you prepare your story ideas before you even leave home.
Key Details You Need to Know About COP31
COP31 is the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference. It will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to November 20, 2026. Turkey will host the conference for the first time at the Antalya EXPO Fairgrounds. More than 80,000 participants from 196 countries are expected to attend. The World Leaders Summit will happen on November 11 and 12. This is where heads of state will speak and major announcements will be made. You do not want to miss covering these days.
Who Can Apply for the CCMP Reporting Fellowship
You must be a professional journalist or a creator journalist. Creator journalists are independent content creators who use journalistic practices to deliver climate coverage on social media or digital platforms. This is the first year CCMP has opened eligibility to creator journalists, so take advantage of this new opportunity.
You must be from a low- or middle-income country. You can check the full list of eligible countries on the official application page. You must not have attended any UN climate COP before. This includes both self-funded and fellowship-supported attendance. The program is designed for journalists who have never experienced a COP before.
You need a good command of the English language. You must have previous experience reporting on climate change issues. You will need to submit at least three recent work samples on climate topics published between May 15, 2025, and June 15, 2026. You must also be available to travel to Antalya for the full two weeks of COP31.
What the EJN Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships 2026 Cover
The fellowship is fully funded. It covers non-refundable economy-class airfare from your home country to Turkey. It covers your accommodation in single occupancy rooms if possible, though you should be comfortable with shared housing. Meals, local ground transportation, and travel medical insurance are all covered. The CCMP will also reimburse your visa costs after you pay for them. You will receive a small stipend to cover extra meals or incidental expenses. The organizers will also help you get press accreditation for COP31.
How to Apply Step by Step
First, visit the official application page at earthjournalism.net. You will find the COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship link there. Create an account or log in to the application portal. Fill out the online form with your personal and professional details.
You will need to upload several documents. Prepare your updated CV or resume. Write a clear reporting proposal that explains what stories you would pursue at COP31. You must provide a letter of support from an editor, producer, or supervisor. If you are a freelancer, you need a signed letter from a media outlet that commits to publishing your fellowship stories. You also need three recent climate work samples. Finally, record a short video of no more than 2 minutes. In the video, explain what you plan to report on at COP31. Speak clearly and show your passion for climate journalism.
Actionable Checklist for Your Application
Follow this checklist to submit a complete application.
- Confirm you are from an eligible low- or middle-income country.
- Verify you have never attended a UN climate COP before.
- Check that your English is strong enough for professional reporting.
- Gather three climate work samples published between May 15, 2025, and June 15, 2026.
- Write a one-page reporting proposal with specific story angles.
- Request a letter of support from your editor or a media outlet.
- Record a 2-minute video explaining your reporting plan.
- Update your CV with all relevant climate reporting experience.
- Create an account on the Earth Journalism Network application portal.
- Fill out the form and upload all documents before June 17, 2026.
A Real Story from a Past CCMP Fellow
I once spoke with a journalist from Belize named Andrea Polanco. She won the CCMP fellowship to cover COP24 in Poland. After the fellowship, her reporting won two first-place awards from the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. She received the Golden Conch Award for a body of work on regional climate issues. She told EJN that the fellowship gave her a firsthand experience to understand how climate change decision making works. She learned how policies impact everyone no matter where they live. Her audience in Belize finally understood the country’s role in global climate action. This could be you if you apply and commit to telling important stories.
The One Downside You Must Know
The EJN Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships 2026 is very competitive. Hundreds of journalists apply, and only around 15 to 20 fellows are selected each year. Your application must stand out. A weak reporting proposal or a rushed video will get your application rejected. Do not apply if you cannot commit to attending the full two weeks of COP31. The organizers require full participation in all fellowship activities including daily briefings and mentor meetings. Missing these could get you disqualified.
Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Application
Many applicants forget to check the eligible countries list. If your country is not on the list, your application will be rejected immediately. Others apply with work samples that are not climate focused. Make sure all three samples clearly show your climate reporting experience. Some freelancers submit a letter from a media outlet that does not commit to publishing. The letter must clearly state that the outlet will publish your fellowship stories. A vague letter will not work.
Another mistake is ignoring the no prior COP attendance rule. If you have been to any COP before, even as a visitor, you are not eligible. Do not waste your time applying. The organizers verify this information.
Important Answers to Your Questions
You might wonder if you can apply without an editor’s letter. No, you cannot. Freelancers can apply but need a signed commitment from a media outlet. You might ask if the fellowship covers your laptop or camera. No, it does not. You are responsible for your own reporting equipment. You might ask if you can bring a family member. No, the fellowship covers only the selected fellow. You might ask if the program accepts late applications. No, the deadline is strict. Submit everything before June 17, 2026.
Final Summary
The EJN Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships 2026 is your fully funded ticket to cover COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. You will get mentorship, daily briefings, and international exposure while reporting on the world’s most important climate negotiations.
Do not wait until the last day. Prepare your work samples, write your proposal, record your video, and submit your application through the official Earth Journalism Network portal before June 17, 2026. Your climate journalism career will thank you.
