SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship 2027: $7,500 Stipend for 10 Local Climate Reporters

The Solutions Journalism Network and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have opened applications for the SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship 2027, an eight-month programme that will give ten local and regional U.S. journalists a $7,500 stipend each to report on climate solutions in their own communities. Applications close at midnight on 26 October 2026.

What the climate journalism fellowship offers

Running from January to August 2027, the fellowship supports ten freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. local or regional newsrooms in developing high-impact projects on climate change impacts and solutions, grounded in the concerns and values of their regions.

Fellows will receive training and editorial support from both organisations. The programme includes workshops with specialists from SJN, MIT and partner organisations on climate science, climate and energy policy and economics, and climate communication. Fellows also get access to MIT’s library databases and climate analyses, one-on-one consultations with a solutions coach and a science journalism specialist, and monthly virtual cohort meetings.

Each fellow must produce at least four stories by August 2027, with at least two of them applying the principles of solutions journalism — reporting that rigorously investigates how communities are responding to climate problems.

Who is encouraged to apply

Applicants from communities or regions of the United States where climate change is underreported or polarising are strongly encouraged to apply. A background in climate or environmental reporting is valued but is not a requirement — reporters from other beats who want to bring climate solutions into their coverage are welcome.

Candidates must demonstrate support and interest from a local or regional news outlet that will publish the project, and their editor must confirm this by email as part of the application.

Key dates and deadlines

Application timeline

• 14 October 2026, 3:30 pm ET — information session for applicants
• 26 October 2026, midnight — application deadline
• November 2026 — fellows selected; final selections by 30 November
• Week of 14 December 2026 — kick-off meeting
• January 2027 — foundational climate journalism workshops
• 15–17 April 2027 — in-person gathering at the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference in Halifax, Canada, with registration, travel and hotel covered by the fellowship
• August 2027 — all stories produced and published

Key facts

• Programme: SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship 2027
• Organisers: Solutions Journalism Network and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Fellows: 10 freelance and staff journalists at U.S. local/regional newsrooms
• Stipend: $7,500 per fellow
• Duration: eight months, January–August 2027
• Output: at least four climate stories, at least two using solutions journalism
• Deadline: 26 October 2026; info session 14 October at 3:30 pm ET

The fellowship arrives at a moment when climate reporters face growing risks: UNESCO reported that at least 46 environmental journalists have been killed since 2010, making support for local climate reporting more urgent than ever. By backing reporters in under-covered communities, the programme aims to strengthen the local climate journalism that national outlets often cannot provide.

Applicants should apply through the official fellowship page before the 26 October deadline and are invited to join the 14 October information session to ask questions about the application.