Balkan Investigative Reporting Network & Erste Foundation Fellowship for Journalism Excellence 2024

The Fellowship has been providing journalists with editorial guidance and funding to pursue agenda-setting stories since 2007. Aimed at promoting the development of a robust and responsible press, the programme has helped shape journalistic standards across the region while boosting the careers of participating reporters. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and Erste Foundation set up the Fellowship with a view to encouraging in-depth cross-border reporting in south-eastern Europe. In 2020, the programme was expanded to include four central European countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Applications are solicited under this year’s theme, Voices. Successful applicants will be selected by an independent committee to take part in our annual programme for professional development, culminating in the production of a compelling long-form story to be published by BIRN, its media partners and/or the media outlets from the region.

Benefits

• A bursary of €3,000
• The chance to improve your reporting skills by working in close collaboration with world-class editors
• Ongoing mentoring and support from BIRN’s leading regional journalistic network, present in 14 countries of the Central and SEE region
• The opportunity to participate in an introductory seminar in Vienna, May 20^th – 24^th, focused on reporting and storytelling techniques,
• The chance to win additional awards worth between 1.000 and 3.000 euros for the best three stories
• Worldwide publication of reports in local languages and English through our network of media partners
• Membership of the Fellowship alumni network, designed to support networking between fellows who have participated in the programme since 2007.

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Eligibility for Network & Erste Foundation Fellowship

• Journalists from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia with demonstrable professional experience are eligible to apply.
• Applicants should have citizenship or permanent residence of one of the countries covered by the programme.
• We provide editorial support in English, so applicants should be proficient in English (speaking, reading and comprehension), although they may produce their stories in local languages.
• Fellows must be able to dedicate adequate time to the Fellowship, in terms of research, reporting trips, attending seminars, writing and revising drafts and participating in editorial sessions.

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Application of Network & Erste Foundation Fellowship

• The proposal for a reporting project must be submitted in English using the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence application form. It must be accompanied by the signed declaration.
• Applicants should complete and submit only one application with one research proposal. Multiple applications by individuals and joint applications by more than one individual are not eligible.
• Applicants should provide at least one relevant example of their writing. Samples may be provided in English or local languages.
• Completed applications should be sent as electronic files by email to: [email protected]. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt.