Apply Now for a Fellowship to the 2027 Global Investigative Journalism Conference

The 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) will be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from October 19 – 23, 2027, and is being co-hosted by GIJN and De Vereniging van Onderzoeksjournalisten (VVOJ) — the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists — which has played an outsized role in promoting quality investigative reporting in the region and across Europe since its founding in 2002. The conference venue will be de Deolen ICC Rotterdam, an iconic concert and congress center located in the heart of the city.

Like its many predecessor events, GIJC27 will feature more than 150 state-of-the-art expert panels, cutting-edge workshops, and the best networking in the business. We’ll cover online search techniques, panels on investigating and using AI, best practices for cross-border collaboration, exiled media tips and tools, and more. We’ll be hosting top journalists who have developed innovative uses of technology to hold power to account, and others who have worked in environments with press freedom limitations and refined techniques to continue investigating while maintaining high standards and reducing risks. There will be experts on satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, climate change, corruption, and data journalism, among others. It will also be a unique opportunity to network and collaborate with your colleagues from 100-plus countries.

With the support of our sponsors and partners, the conference is offering fellowships to journalists from the Global South, and those from historically underrepresented groups to participate. Competition is keen, so you need to convince us that you will make great use of the training that GIJC27 offers.

To stay up-to-date on the fellowships, all GIJC27 information, and other opportunities from GIJN, you can subscribe to our email newsletter, the GIJN Bulletin.

Comments from past GIJC fellows. Image: GIJN

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to professional print, online, television, video, radio, documentary, and multimedia journalists, including freelance journalists in developing or transitioning countries;
• Experience in investigative or data journalism a plus;
• For a full list of eligible countries, please check out this link. We prioritize journalists from the Global South, and those from historically underrepresented groups. If you are unable to cover the cost to attend the conference, and are from a country that is not part of the list linked above, apply anyway and tell us more information under “Additional Notes.”

Fellowship Requirements

Following the conference, fellows are required to either produce a story directly related to GIJC27 or give a presentation based on the knowledge you gained at GIJC27 to your colleagues or the journalism community at large. Detailed guidelines and examples here.

You’ll need a working knowledge of English, as the conference panels and workshops will be conducted in this language. Please submit your fellowship application in English.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 31, 2027.

GIJC27 Full Fellowships include:

• Round-trip airfare to Rotterdam, The Netherlands (or nearest major airport);
• Transport between airport and the conference hotel;
• Hotel accommodation for four nights;
• Cocktail reception on the evening of October 19th;
• Breakfast on conference days (October 20 – 23);
• Lunch on full conference days (October 20 – 23);
• Award ceremony dinner on the evening of October 22nd;
• Conference registration fee.

We are working to get as much funding as possible for our fellowships program. Besides the traditional fellowships, GIJN may be able to offer partial fellowships to a number of candidates. When filling out the form, you will be asked if you are interested in being considered for a partial fellowship.

NOTE: The fellowship does not include a per diem, visa fees, or transport to and from your home country airport. This is a training conference, and fellows are expected to pay for these costs.

Click the button below to apply.

Due to the high volume of applications, we won’t be able to update you individually on the status of your application. Please take the time to read the eligibility criteria, requirement guidelines, and application form. If you cannot find the answer, you can write to us at fellowships@gijn.org.