[Pulitzer Center](https://pulitzercenter.org)

August 2026 (application open) | September 2026 (application close)

Full-time, year-long fellowships covering reporter’s salary and reporting expenses; up to nine fellowships awarded annually.

Supports experienced journalists worldwide to investigate and report on critical ocean issues with funding, training, and editorial support over 12 months.

--- ## Description The Ocean Reporting Network (ORN) is an initiative by the Pulitzer Center designed to address the chronic underfunding and underreporting of ocean issues. ORN provides full-time, year-long fellowships to experienced freelance and staff journalists, enabling them to pursue in-depth or investigative ocean stories. Fellows receive comprehensive support, including funding for salary and reporting expenses, editorial guidance from the Environmental Investigations Unit, specialized training, and engagement assistance to amplify their work and measure its impact. The program fosters a global, collaborative community of journalists dedicated to systematically investigating the drivers of marine environmental degradation, with the ultimate goal of raising public awareness and contributing to solutions for global warming, pollution, and biodiversity loss. --- ## Due Dates - August 2026: Application open date (anticipated) - September 2026: Application deadline (anticipated) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Fellows receive a full-time salary for 12 months, commensurate with experience. - Additional reporting expenses are covered. - Up to nine fellowships are awarded per cycle. - Support is provided for both the journalist and, if applicable, their host newsroom. --- ## Eligibility - Open to experienced journalists (freelance or staff) with a proven track record in investigative or in-depth ocean/environmental reporting. - Applicants must demonstrate a solid understanding of ocean issues (scientific, environmental, social, legal, political, commercial). - Journalists must work in print, radio, video, or multimedia platforms. - Freelancers must have the support of a newsroom willing to host and publish their work. - Applications from the Global South and underrepresented regions (Asia-Pacific, East Africa, Latin America) are especially encouraged. - Teams proposing cross-border collaborations are welcome; one person must lead and manage the project. - Applicants must have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity. - Commitment to devote a full year to the investigation and to publish regularly. - Willingness to participate in outreach activities related to the investigation. --- ## Application Process Applicants will be asked to provide: - Résumé or CV. - Detailed project proposal describing the investigative story, reporting plan, and pre-reporting conducted (800 words). - Plan for publication, target audiences, and engagement strategy (500 words). - Statement of purpose explaining fit and motivation for the fellowship (500 words). - Letter of support from employer or hosting newsroom. - Three examples of impactful investigations published in the past five years. - Three professional references or letters of recommendation. - Valid passport details. Applications are encouraged in English but can be submitted in other languages if needed. Selected candidates will work remotely. [Apply here](https://pulitzercenter.submittable.com/submit) --- ## Additional Information - Fellows benefit from mentorship, topical and skills-based training (e.g., satellite imagery, digital tools, corporate research). - The program emphasizes collaborative, cross-border, and data-driven investigations. - The Pulitzer Center guarantees full editorial independence for all fellows and participating news organizations. - Newsrooms can find more information about hosting a fellow [here](https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism/initiatives/ocean-reporting-network/hosting-orn-fellow). - For further resources, see the [Ocean Reporting Toolkit](https://pulitzercenter.org/ocean-reporting-toolkit). --- ## External Links - [Ocean Reporting Network program page](https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism/initiatives/ocean-reporting-network) - [Apply to Join the Ocean Reporting Network (ORN)](https://pulitzercenter.org/grants-fellowships/opportunities-journalists/apply-join-ocean-reporting-network-orn) - [FAQ: What You Need To Know To Join the Ocean Reporting Network](https://pulitzercenter.org/blog/faq-what-you-need-know-join-ocean-reporting-network) - [Ocean Reporting Toolkit](https://pulitzercenter.org/ocean-reporting-toolkit) - [Meet the ORN Fellows](https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism/initiatives/ocean-reporting-network/orn-fellows) - [Meet the ORN Team](https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism/initiatives/ocean-reporting-network/meet-orn-team) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------| | General Inquiries | contact@pulitzercenter.org | (202) 332-0982 | | Ocean Editor (Jessica Aldred) | jaldred@pulitzercenter.org | | | Director of Environmental Investigations (Gustavo Faleiros) | gfaleiros@pulitzercenter.org | | | Program Coordinator (Fernanda Buffa) | fbuffa@pulitzercenter.org | | ---

Ocean Reporting Network

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