Our Ocean Conference Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Journalism Opportunity in Kenya

Our Ocean Conference Fellowship 2026

The Earth Journalism Network Our Ocean Conference Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded opportunity for journalists to attend and report from one of the world’s leading ocean sustainability events.

This fellowship supports impactful environmental journalism by enabling reporters to cover global discussions on ocean conservation, climate change, and sustainable development.

About the Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to support journalists in producing high-quality, evidence-based reporting from the Our Ocean Conference 2026.

• Event Dates: June 16–18, 2026
• Location: Mombasa, Kenya
• Mode: In-person fellowship
• Organized by Earth Journalism Network

This will be the first time the conference is hosted in Africa, making it a landmark global event.

What the Fellowship Covers

Selected fellows receive full financial support.

• Round-trip airfare
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Travel medical insurance
• Local transportation
• Visa cost reimbursement
• Daily allowance (per diem)

This makes it a fully funded journalism fellowship.

Key Highlights

• Attend a major global ocean conference
• Report on real-time global policy discussions
• Access to experts, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Pre-conference training and mentorship
• Opportunity to publish impactful international stories

Conference Themes

The 2026 conference will focus on major global ocean issues.

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• Sustainable fisheries
• Marine pollution
• Sustainable blue economy
• Climate change
• Maritime security

The theme is “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future.”

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements.

• Professional journalists (staff or freelance)
• Affiliated with a recognized media outlet
• Based in or reporting from coastal countries
• Experience covering ocean or environmental issues
• Strong English proficiency

Applicants must also submit recent published work and a story proposal.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to prepare:

• Updated CV
• Letter of support from editor/media outlet
• Work samples (published in last 12 months)
• Story proposal related to ocean issues

Applications are highly competitive and based on reporting experience and story quality.

Important Deadline

• Application Deadline: April 7, 2026

Applicants should apply early due to limited fellowship slots.

Why You Should Apply

This fellowship is one of the best opportunities for environmental journalists.

• Fully funded international exposure
• Access to global policy discussions
• Strengthen environmental reporting skills
• Build global media networks
• Publish impactful stories on ocean issues

About Earth Journalism Network

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is a global initiative by Internews that supports journalists covering environmental and climate issues through fellowships, training, and grants.

Final Thoughts

The Our Ocean Conference Fellowship 2026 is a high-impact opportunity for journalists passionate about environmental storytelling and ocean conservation. With full funding, expert mentorship, and access to global leaders, it offers a powerful platform to amplify critical ocean issues.

However, due to its strict eligibility (journalists only) and competitive selection process, applicants must submit strong work samples and a compelling story idea.