Deadline: May 20, 2026
Applications are open for the Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) 2026. The Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) brings together experienced journalists from across Asia to learn, collaborate, and build lasting professional and personal connections. AJF is hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore, in partnership with Temasek Foundation.
Held in Singapore, AJF has welcomed Fellows each year since 2009, offering a rare opportunity to step back from daily newsroom pressures, exchange ideas with peers from different contexts, and return home with fresh perspectives and practical skills. AJF began as a three-month, Singapore-based programme. During the Fellowship, Fellows discuss the craft and responsibilities of journalism, sharpen professional capabilities, and develop trusted relationships through close interaction.
Benefits
Funding
Fellows will receive support in the following areas:
- Airfare and related cost:
- VISA costs (capped at S$40)
- Seat selection and baggage fees, if not included in the airfare (note: additional baggage beyond the ticket allowance will not be reimbursed)
- If your travel route is not from home city to Singapore and back, reimbursement will be based on the cost of one economy return ticket from home city to Singapore. (or the actual cost of your return ticket, whichever is lower)
- Local airport transfer: S$30 from Changi Airport to the serviced apartment.
- Allowance: A stipend of S$900 for the period in Singapore
Insurance
- Fellows must purchase travel insurance covering the full duration of their stay in Singapore before arrival into Singapore. They will need to see a copy of Fellows’ travel insurance before they depart for Singapore.
Accommodation
- Accommodation is provided in serviced apartments at no cost to Fellows. Three or four Fellows may share one apartment, with individual bedrooms and shared kitchen facilities. Note that live-in guests are strictly not permitted. Breach of this rule may result in removal from the programme and the withdrawal of funding support.
Facilities and Resources
Fellows will have access to:
- NUS Libraries e-resources
- Internet access at the serviced apartments and on the NUS campus
- Licensed access to Zoom for programme participation
Eligibility
- You have at least five years of professional journalism experience. Student journalism does not count.
- You are working full-time as a journalist in Asia. They welcome applicants from Asian media organisations. Freelancers may apply if journalism is your main source of income.
- You are comfortable in spoken and written English, the working language of AJF. Journalists working in non-English media are welcome, but they may ask you to demonstrate your English proficiency.
- If you are employed, obtain your employer’s written agreement to participate in the full eight-week fellowship (four weeks online and four weeks in Singapore).
Application
The application deadline is Wednesday, 20 May 2026. AJF 2026 runs for eight weeks, from 6 July to 28 August 2026. The first four weeks will be conducted online, followed by four weeks in Singapore.
Your application is complete when they receive all of the following:
- Completed Application Form.
- If you are currently employed, include your employer’s letter of support certifying that you will be permitted to:
- attend the programme online for four weeks (Online activities will be held at least twice a week on weekdays, for up to three hours), and
- be released from work for four weeks to travel to Singapore
- Three letters of recommendation. (Download Instructions for Referees). Choose referees who know your work well and can write about you independently
- Three to five samples of past work
- A 500-word personal statement (See for prompts)
- A short video clip (1-3 mins) on why you are applying for AJF (See instruction for video format)
- Copies of all relevant educational certificate(s)
- Completed Personal Data Protection Act Form.
For more information, visit Asia Journalism Fellowship.
