Southeast Asia Ocean Reporting Fellowship

Thank you for your interest in applying for Mongabay's Southeast Asia Ocean Reporting Fellowship. Please carefully read the information below and answer all questions, following the directions and word/page limits. Your answers and materials must be original and written in your own words; do not submit anything generated with AI. Applications that do not follow the instructions will be disqualified.

FELLOWSHIP INFORMATION:

Starting in 2026, the Southeast Asia Ocean Reporting Fellowship will support up to 5 early- and mid-career journalists from the region in our Global Bureau. It is a paid six-month fellowship run in English. Fellows will report on critical ocean challenges and their solutions in Southeast Asia, gaining valuable training, experience and credibility that will help them advance their careers in journalism and communications.

TIMELINE:

This fellowship is expected to run from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Applications can be submitted from May 14 to June 25 (23:59 UTC).

EXPECTATIONS & LOGISTICS:

Each fellow is expected to commit to 10 hours per week and to produce a total of four to six news stories to be published on Mongabay’s website. Work is remote; fellows must be communicative and have access to the internet to plan and deliver assignments accordingly with their editor. Mongabay does not have an office and cannot support work visas. Each fellow will receive $500 USD a month for the duration of the six-month fellowship.

ELIGIBILITY:

This fellowship will provide opportunities for early- and mid-career journalists from and in coastal countries in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. High-income countries in Southeast Asia (Singapore and Brunei) are not eligible. We especially welcome applicants with identities and backgrounds that are under-represented in journalism in the region.

Applicants must have at least two years of journalistic experience with reporting and writing and a keen interest in pursuing environmental journalism. As this fellowship is run in English, applicants must be able to report, write and communicate at a high level of English.

For further details on the program and eligibility, please refer to the fellowship webpage.

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

Phone Number

Country CodePhone Number

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Country of Residence

Nationality

If selected, are you able to commit to the start and end date of the fellowship, as noted above?

If selected, are you able to commit to at least 10 hours per week and produce a total of 4-6 stories during the fellowship?

If you answered "no" above, please explain why.

Have you applied for a Mongabay fellowship before?

If so, please specify which one.

How did you hear about the Southeast Asia Ocean Reporting Fellowship?

Why do you want to do a reporting fellowship with Mongabay? (200 words maximum)

Describe your experience as a journalist and with environmental and ocean issues. Note: At least two years of journalistic experience is required. (300 words maximum)

At what level do you consider yourself?

What are your short-term and long-term career goals? (200 words maximum)

How will the Southeast Asia Ocean Reporting Fellowship help you advance your career? Please be specific. (200 words maximum)

What types of training in journalism and/or ocean-related topics do you need to further your career? Please explain. (200 words maximum)

Have you had previous international experience in publishing or journalism training, including other fellowships? If so, please explain. (200 words maximum)

If selected, what are some specific news stories on oceans in Southeast Asia that you would like to report? (200 words maximum)

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Please upload the following materials in English. All materials must be original and written in your own words. Cover letters and writing samples generated with AI will be disqualified.

Resume (2 pages maximum)
Cover letter (1 page maximum) introducing yourself and answering the following questions:
- How does environmental journalism fit into your career goals?
- Why should Mongabay select you for this specific fellowship?
Two original English-language writing samples in a journalistic style that reflects your best work and skills. At least one must be a published clip and preferably at least one is related to ocean conservation or other ocean-related issues.

Resume (2 pages maximum)

Upload a File

PDF files only

Cover letter (1 page maximum, see instructions above)

Upload a File

PDF files only

Writing sample 1 (see instructions above)

Upload a File

PDF files only

Writing sample 2 (see instructions above)

Upload a File

PDF files only

Did you use AI in preparing this application?

If you answered "yes" above, please explain how and why.

SOUTHEAST ASIA OCEAN REPORTING FELLOWSHIP