Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence 2026

The Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence 2026 is a funded programme for journalists to undertake reporting on an Environment theme. Eight to ten journalists will receive a bursary, ongoing mentoring, and participate in a seminar in Vienna, with publication of stories through BIRN’s network; the top three stories will receive additional prizes. The programme is organized by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in partnership with Erste Foundation.

€3,000 bursary, ongoing mentoring, seminar in Vienna, network access, potential publication of stories in English and local languages; top stories awarded additional prizes.

Journalists with citizenship or permanent residence in the listed Balkan countries; English fluency required; open to early-career journalists.

Submit research proposals on the Environment theme for journalistic reporting.