Rainforest Investigation Network Fellowship 2026/2027 (Funded) – YOA

Deadline: May 22, 2026

Applications are open for the Rainforest Investigation Network Fellowship 2026/2027. RIN Fellows will pursue each particular person and joint investigative tasks, inspecting the foundation causes and structural drivers of deforestation throughout the three principal tropical rainforest areas: the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.

They are in search of seasoned investigative journalists—whether or not they’re on workers or working with a number outlet as a freelancer—who’re from the tropical rainforest areas or concentrate on these areas of their reporting. They additionally settle for collaborations with native and international media retailers.

Applicants are inspired to suggest bold and impactful tasks that look at systemic and structural drivers of rainforest degradation. They welcome revolutionary, information-pushed investigation approaches, together with the usage of applied sciences reminiscent of Amazon Mining Watch or different methodologies.

Benefits

• This is a full-time, yearlong fellowship that gives monetary assist, overlaying the reporter’s wage. Additional assist will probably be offered to the journalist’s reporting bills, reminiscent of journey and hiring of consultants.

Eligibility

• Open to skilled investigative journalists with a confirmed monitor file overlaying the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia areas.
• Reporters based mostly in international locations outdoors the three principal tropical rainforest areas—Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia—can also apply however might want to focus their reporting in the course of the fellowship on tales associated to those areas.
• Staff or freelance journalists engaged on a variety of platforms, together with print, radio, video, and multimedia. Freelance reporters might want to have the assist of an area or worldwide newsroom that agrees to host them and publish the work they produce in the course of the fellowship.  
• Team gamers with the expertise and/or means to work collaboratively throughout newsrooms and borders. 
• Reporters with a deep understanding of the scientific, environmental, social, authorized, political, and industrial forces at play in deforestation and forest degradation world wide—and why this problem issues to our international nicely-being.
• Reporters prepared to take part in outreach actions associated to their investigations, reminiscent of conferences in communities and visits to colleges and universities.

Application

To apply, you’ll be requested to supply the next:

• A press release of function: How does this fellowship slot in your profession path and why are you finest positioned to be a Rainforest Investigations Network Fellow? You can also embrace how collaboration with journalists from different areas can profit your investigations or the way you may have the ability to help them. (500 phrases)
• An investigative challenge proposal describing essentially the most bold rainforest reporting you search to pursue throughout your fellowship. Please don’t suggest normal themes, however supply concrete investigative tasks that intention to uncover systemic wrongdoing/abuse that’s unknown or hidden. It is predicted that by the point you apply you have got already executed pre-reporting to find out the scope, feasibility, and novelty of the challenge. A compelling, nicely-researched challenge proposal with a reporting plan will enable you stand out amongst a whole lot of candidates. If the investigation features a cross-border strategy, clarify your collaboration plan and establish companions outdoors and inside the community. (1,000 phrases)
• A plan for the way your challenge will probably be printed and distributed, which audiences you need to attain, and the way you’ll have interaction them (500 phrases).
• Three examples (hyperlinks) of your most impactful investigations printed up to now three years. 
• A letter of assist out of your media employer or a newsroom that has agreed to host you as a Rainforest Investigations Network Fellow and publish your work. 
• Three skilled references: These could be both contact info or letters of advice. 
• A duplicate of your résumé or curriculum vitae.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Rainforest Investigation Network Fellowship.