Introduction
The Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027 will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from October 19 to 23, 2027. This 15th edition, known as GIJC27, will bring together investigative journalists, data journalists, and other media professionals from around the world. Its program will combine practical training, expert discussions, and opportunities to exchange reporting experience.
Applications are open for the GIJC27 Fellowship Program, which supports journalists who cannot afford to attend. The program prioritizes applicants from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups. Selected fellows will also be expected to share their learning through a conference-related story or a presentation for colleagues or the wider journalism community.
Scholarship Overview
This opportunity is a conference fellowship for professional journalists rather than a degree scholarship. It provides financial assistance for participation in an international investigative journalism event. The opportunity is listed as partially funded, and applicants should distinguish between the expenses included in a fellowship and those they must cover themselves.
- Conference: 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference, or GIJC27
- Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Conference dates: October 19–23, 2027
- Funding classification: Partially funded
- Application deadline: January 31, 2027
Host Country
The Netherlands will host GIJC27, with conference activities taking place in Rotterdam. The fellowship’s travel support includes a return flight to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport, along with transfers between the airport and conference hotel. Applicants remain responsible for transportation between their homes and departure airports.
Host Institution or Organization
The Global Investigative Journalism Network, abbreviated as GIJN, will co-host the conference with the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists, known as VVOJ. The event will bring together journalists from more than 100 countries. Its international format will allow participants to compare experiences, discuss investigative methods, and explore cross-border collaboration.
Scholarship Benefits
The fellowship offers support for several major attendance expenses, including travel, accommodation, registration, and specified meals. Organizers are working with sponsors and partners to support participation, but the final number of fellowships has not been confirmed. Additional candidates may receive partial fellowships if further funding becomes available.
- Round-trip airfare to Rotterdam or the nearest major airport.
- Transfers between the airport and conference hotel.
- Four nights of hotel accommodation.
- Conference registration.
- Access to the cocktail reception on October 19, 2027.
- Breakfast on conference days from October 20 to 23, 2027.
- Lunch on full conference days from October 20 to 23, 2027.
- Participation in the award ceremony dinner on October 22, 2027.
Visa fees, per diem expenses, and travel between home and the departure airport are excluded. Applicants must arrange and pay for these costs themselves. Anyone considering a partial fellowship should also assess whether they could meet the remaining attendance expenses.
The professional program will feature more than 150 expert panels, workshops, and training sessions. Topics include online research, artificial intelligence, data journalism, climate change, corruption, satellite imagery, and cross-border investigations. Sessions will also address investigating powerful institutions, reporting where press freedom is restricted, and maintaining journalistic standards while managing risks.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to professional journalists working across print, online, television, video, radio, documentary, and multimedia journalism. Freelance journalists from developing or transitioning countries may also apply. Experience in investigative reporting or data journalism gives applicants an advantage.
- Applicants should need financial assistance to attend the conference.
- Priority goes to journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups.
- A working knowledge of English is required because panels and workshops will be conducted in English.
- Fellowship applications must be completed in English.
- Applicants should consult the organizers’ developing-country list when assessing their circumstances.
Journalists whose countries are outside that list may still apply if they cannot afford attendance. They should explain their financial circumstances in the application form’s “Additional Notes” section. Country-list status should therefore be considered alongside the stated provision for applicants facing financial barriers.
Selected fellows must either produce a story directly connected to GIJC27 or deliver a presentation based on what they learn. Presentations may be shared with colleagues or the broader journalism community. Applicants should review the detailed fellowship guidelines and examples before applying.
Application Process
Apply online through the organizer’s official website and access the GIJC27 fellowship application form. Before completing it, read the eligibility criteria, fellowship guidelines, and instructions carefully. All application information must be submitted in English.
- Describe your professional background and journalism experience.
- Explain your interest in investigative reporting.
- Outline how you would use the knowledge and skills gained at GIJC27.
- Use “Additional Notes” to explain financial circumstances if your country is outside the organizers’ developing-country list.
- Indicate whether you wish to be considered for a partial fellowship, where applicable.
- Check the completed form and submit it before January 31, 2027.
The organizers cannot provide individual application-status updates to every applicant because of the volume of submissions. Applicants should first consult the eligibility information, guidelines, and application form before making an inquiry. A careful initial review can help resolve questions about the process and expectations.
Important Dates and Deadline
The fellowship application deadline is January 31, 2027. GIJC27 will run from October 19 to 23, 2027, with the cocktail reception scheduled for October 19. The award ceremony dinner will take place on October 22, while the specified breakfast and lunch coverage relates to October 20–23.
Tips for Applicants
As general preparation, create a personal budget that separates covered expenses from costs you must meet yourself. Include the explicitly excluded visa fees, daily expenses, and home-to-airport transportation. If requesting consideration for partial support, think carefully about what level of remaining expenditure you could realistically manage.
Allow time to review your English-language answers before submission. Clear, direct explanations are generally more useful than lengthy descriptions that obscure your experience or financial circumstances. Check that your account of your work, learning interests, and intended follow-up activity is consistent throughout the form.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
As general writing guidance, connect your professional experience to the conference topics most relevant to your reporting. For example, explain how training in data journalism, online research, or cross-border investigations could support your work, where genuinely applicable. Use accurate examples rather than broad claims about your abilities.
Give thoughtful attention to how you would share your learning after the event. Since fellows must produce a related story or deliver a presentation, consider which option fits your professional setting and audience. Describe a realistic approach without promising outcomes that depend on circumstances beyond your control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes, freelance journalists from developing or transitioning countries may apply. The fellowship also covers professional journalists working across several media formats. Applicants should review the financial-need and English-language criteria alongside their professional eligibility.
Does the fellowship cover every expense?
No, several costs remain the applicant’s responsibility. Visa fees, per diem expenses, and transportation between home and the departure airport are excluded. Partial fellowships may also be offered, so applicants should assess the support attached to any award.
Can journalists outside the developing-country list apply?
Yes, applicants outside that list may apply when they cannot afford conference attendance. They should explain their circumstances under “Additional Notes.” The program nevertheless prioritizes journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups.
Conclusion
GIJC27 combines investigative journalism training with international professional exchange in Rotterdam. Its fellowship program helps eligible journalists address attendance costs while requiring them to share what they learn. Interested applicants should review the official guidelines, assess their remaining expenses, and submit their English-language application by January 31, 2027.
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