Fellows will travel to Nice, France to attend the entire duration of the UN Ocean Conference negotiations, which will take place from June 9-13, with arrival planned for 7 June, and departure on 14 June. EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transportation costs related to fellowship participation. Organizers will also facilitate the press accreditation process and provide logistical support relating to the trip. Please note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the fellow's individual responsibility, though EJN will reimburse visa costs. Fellows will also receive a per diem to cover daily expenses during their time in Nice. 5-8 journalists will be selected for the in-person fellowship. Prior to the start of UNOC, fellows will receive informational resources and technical support to help prepare for reporting at the conference. They will attend pre-COP virtual workshop to meet their cohort and media trainer, discuss reporting opportunities, and ask any questions to support pre-reporting and preparatory work. While in Nice, fellows will participate in a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session with ocean experts on the key issues at this UNOC, daily briefings led by EJN’s media trainers and interviews with high-level officials. The fellowship will offer valuable insights into the climate and environmental stakes of threats to the ocean and the measures required to protect the marine ecosystem. Fellows will also engage with their cohort and exchange ideas for effective reporting and receive editorial feedback and guidance on their stories from EJN’s media trainer. Journalists awarded fellowships are responsible for their own safety during travel, and for ensuring that they meet all requirements for travel and attendance.

To be eligible for the fellowship, the applicant must:

Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from any country with a coast. Applicants from countries in the Mediterranean region and low- and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.

Have previous experience reporting on ocean issues (examples include threats to the ocean such as, IIU fishing, the impacts of algal bloom, acidification, and pollution as well as innovative and actionable solutions to protect the ocean, such as technological advances to monitor ocean crimes, new multilateral agreements such as the Plastics treaty and High Seas treaty, funding mechanisms such as blue bonds, and policy measures such as Marine Protected Areas, fishing quotas, etc.

Clearly indicate the kinds of stories they will seek to pursue while covering the conference.

Be available for the conference in Nice from 9 until 13 June 2025, arriving on 7 June and departing on 14 June.

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