Apply Now: 2026 Bertha Challenge Fellowship for Journalists, Activists, Filmmakers, and Lawyers

Introduction

The Bertha Foundation is now accepting functions for the 2026 Bertha Challenge, an annual fellowship supporting investigative and impactful work on the intersection of energy, politics, and revenue. For the primary time, the Bertha Challenge expands past its earlier climate-only focus to additionally welcome initiatives tackling the worldwide erosion of democracy and human rights.

The 2026 cohort invites investigative journalists, activists, attorneys, and filmmakers to apply with daring, community-rooted initiatives that confront systemic injustice and corruption. Bertha seeks to empower people engaged on long-term initiatives that uncover abuse of energy and strengthen the establishments that shield civil society—free press, rule of legislation, and human rights.

The 2026 Challenge: What’s New

In response to international developments and suggestions from previous fellows, the 2026 Bertha Challenge introduces a number of key updates:

• Expanded Focus: Projects could discover any difficulty throughout the power-politics-profit nexus, not solely local weather—although climate-related functions stay welcome.

• Long-Term Vision: Applicants should clearly display how the proposed one-year venture matches right into a broader, long-term technique or physique of labor.

• New Eligibility: In addition to journalists and activists, functions are actually additionally open to filmmakers and attorneys.

Fellowship Benefits

Each chosen Fellow will obtain:

• Annual revenue of as much as USD 64,900, commensurate with their present or equal wage at a number group.

• Project Fund of as much as USD 10,000 to develop and ship a public-facing physique of labor aligned with the Bertha Challenge theme.

• Connect Fund of as much as USD 5,000 to assist collaboration with different Fellows.

• Global cohort assist by way of common digital check-ins, mentorship, and shared studying areas.

• International convening at the beginning of the fellowship yr to construct connections and align targets with fellow individuals.

The Fellowship launches in January 2026 with the in-person convening scheduled shortly after.

Who Can Apply

Applicants should:

• Be a journalist, activist, lawyer, or filmmaker engaged in long-term, fact-based, community-rooted work.

• Demonstrate a robust connection to the problem and neighborhood represented of their proposed venture.

• Submit a venture that may be accomplished or considerably superior throughout the 12-month fellowship.

• Be proficient in spoken and written English, with the power to ship last work in English.

Specific Requirements by Role

Filmmakers:
Must suggest a non-extractive, community-centered, fact-based movie venture at any stage (analysis, manufacturing, modifying, distribution). The venture should align with the 2026 Bertha Challenge theme.

Lawyers:
Must suggest authorized methods rooted in motion lawyering and designed to strengthen communities and social justice efforts. Activities could embrace litigation, gathering testimonies, technique mapping, or cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

Host Organisation Requirement

Fellows should be hosted by an eligible group that:

• Can obtain and handle grant funds.

• Is aligned with Bertha Foundation’s values and will assist the Fellow’s work through the yr.

• Will course of payroll and present healthcare and pension advantages (to be coated throughout the Fellowship award).

The Bertha Foundation can even contribute 15% of the Fellowship quantity to the host group for administrative prices.

Fellowship Expectations

Bertha Fellows should:

• Work full-time on their venture for one yr.

• Attend the in-person convening at the beginning of this system.

• Participate in bi-monthly digital check-ins with Bertha and cohort members.

• Deliver a last public-facing physique of labor (freely accessible in English).

• Share their venture with the cohort on the finish of the Fellowship.

Selection Criteria

Applicants might be assessed on:

• Individual advantage and expertise

• Project relevance to the 2026 Challenge query

• Potential for long-term affect

• Collaborative mindset and variety throughout the cohort

• Existing or potential affect inside their networks

Application Process

Deadline to Apply: 28 July 2025
Applicants should submit:

To preview application questions, click on right here.

Upcoming Info Sessions

Learn extra in regards to the Fellowship and get your questions answered at an upcoming info session:

• Tuesday 24 June, 15:00 UTC

• Tuesday 1 July, 07:00 UTC

• Wednesday 16 July, 13:00 UTC

Register through the Bertha Foundation website.

Contact

Questions? Visit the FAQs page or electronic mail: berthachallenge@berthafoundation.org

About the Bertha Foundation

The Bertha Foundation helps social, financial, and environmental justice activism worldwide by funding and constructing packages that deal with a few of right this moment’s most pressing points. Through fellowships, movies, and frontline advocacy, Bertha builds capability amongst these driving systemic change.

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