CIJ Bursaries, Fellowships and Masterclasses

We run a number of initiatives which aim to diversify investigative journalism. We also run research projects aimed to build connections between community journalism groups and community campaign groups.

Below is a list of the 2021 initiatives.

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#CIJLyraMcKee Investigative Journalism Training and Mentoring Bursary Scheme

Aim

Supporting people from underrepresented and marginalised communities to gain entry into the journalistic profession.

Who is it for?

People from underrepresented backgrounds trying to break into journalism or who are at the very early stages of their journalistic career.

Paid/unpaid

This is an unpaid training programme

Eligibility criteria

18+ residents of the UK and the Republic of Ireland AND unable to attend CIJ training for financial reasons.

Duration

May – November 2021, excluding August

Location

Fully online

What’s included

• Free attendance of  CIJ Scheduled Courses: Story-Based Inquiry, Finding Stories with Data, Freedom of Information Act Requests, others – TBC.
• Free attendance of the #CIJSummer Investigative Journalism Conference 2021
• Regular meetings with mentors, working towards pitching story ideas.
• Guest speakers

Funded by

The Lorana Sullivan Foundation and the Lyra McKee Foundation

Application deadline – Applications are now closed.

Applications closed on Sun 4 April 2021, 23:59. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Click HERE for more information

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CIJ Collaborative Journalism Fellowship 2021

Aim

Strengthening links between London-based community journalism outlets and community campaign groups

Who is it for?

Early-career investigative journalists

Paid/unpaid

This is a paid fellowship

Eligibility criteria

Essential criteria:

• Have shown commitment to ethical use of investigative journalism in the public interest

Desirable criteria:

• Have brought 1 piece of work with investigative elements to successful publication
• Lived experience of poverty, inequality or other structural barriers to entering the journalism profession
• A connection to one of the following London communities: Greenwich, Lewisham, Enfield, Waltham Forest

Duration

June – August 2021. Two days a week.

What’s expected

Work with a Community Journalism Outlet and a Community Campaign Partner to research issues that are affecting local people in one of the target London boroughs.

What’s included

• Free attendance of CIJ Scheduled Courses: Story-Based Inquiry, Finding Stories with Data, Freedom of Information Act Requests, Company Accounts
• Free attendance of the #CIJSummer Investigative Journalism Conference 2021

Funded by

Trust for London

Application deadline – Applications are now closed.

Applications closed on Sun 28 March 2021, 23:59. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Click HERE for more information

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The Source Protection Programme 2021

Aim

An advanced information security programme provided free for freelance journalists who need it. The programme will bolster the skills of a cohort of investigators committed to challenging power and tackling official secrecy, surveillance and censorship. Care, innovation, precision, scepticism and accuracy are the guiding principles of the programme.

The programme pilot runs May – June 2021 and consists of 8 weeks of free training workshops and guest lectures from some of the world’s leading journalists and security researchers.

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for mid-career freelance investigative journalists to participate in the programme. This will require some commitments from you, but we can offer several benefits from being involved in the project:

• Access to free online information security training and guidance organised by the CIJ and Freedom of the Press Foundation.
• An opportunity to network with a small cohort of other journalists working in similar fields.
  Profile raising through publicity about the project.

Essential criteria

• Commitment to ethical use of investigative journalism in the public interest
• Ability to commit to sessions in GMT or EST outlined below
• English language proficiency

Desirable criteria

• Mid career working freelancer reporting on: national security, organised crime, technology, cross-border investigations
• You’ve published a long form investigative piece
• You’ve worked across multiple media (video, audio etc)

Paid/unpaid

This is an unpaid training programme

Duration

8 weeks — 10 May / 30 June

Location

Fully online

Programme details

• 8 weeks, 6 training sessions, 6 guest lectures, 2 office hours, taking place on Monday and Wednesday nights
• Two cohorts of between 10 – 15 participants
• Two time slots for the programme (1 x North America, 1 x European)
• A certificate of completion will be awarded at the conclusion of the programme to all participants who have attended 90% of the teaching sessions.

Application deadline – Applications are now closed.

Applications closed on Wed 21 April 2021, 23:59. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Funded by

The programme is generously supported by The Reva & David Logan Foundation and delivered by The Centre for Investigative Journalism and The Freedom of the Press Foundation.

Click HERE for more information

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CIJ Masterclass 2021

Aim

To get the best and brightest into the profession of investigative journalism, irrespective of their background

Who is it for?

Budding to early-career investigative journalists who have faced barriers to entering the profession

Paid/unpaid

This is an unpaid training programme

Eligibility criteria

• Participants in the Investigative Masterclass Programme should be at the early stages of their journalistic career
• We intend the masterclasses to help those who have faced barriers to becoming investigative journalists to overcome these barriers and begin their careers in the field. Therefore, priority will be given to those from under-privileged and non-traditional backgrounds, without existing connections to the national media, and who have also already demonstrated talent and a commitment to truth-telling journalism, for example in local or regional media, magazines, blogs or other new media.
• You will need to be able to commit to attending the classes every Saturday.

Duration

4-6 consecutive Saturdays in September-October 2021 – TBC

Location

Fully online

What’s included

Free high-value, small-group tuition with one of Britain’s best investigative journalists, Stephen Grey of Reuters. Possible hands-on project to work on.

Funded by

The Centre for Investigative Journalism

Application deadline

Applications are not open yet. Watch this space.

A link to this initiative’s page will be provided soon.