The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is offering the Climate Investigations Training Scholarship 2026, aimed at experienced journalists who want to upskill and apply investigative techniques to produce deeper, more impactful climate-focused reporting.
This scholarship is part of CIJ’s ongoing commitment to empower journalists from around the world with the practical skills needed to investigate and communicate the complexities of the climate crisis.
In 2025, CIJ launched the inaugural Climate Investigations Course (CIC), building on the Open Climate Reporting Initiative (OCRI). Under OCRI, CIJ trained over 700 journalists across 58 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, equipping them with hands-on investigative skills for climate and environmental reporting. The 2025 CIC programme included three successful runs, supporting 210 journalists from Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Scholarship recipients were given full access to the training either online or through the CIJ Summer Conference, including the Climate Investigations Masterclass in London.
In response to the urgency of the global climate crisis and to promote the inclusion of journalists from the Global South, CIJ awarded scholarships in 2025 to 14 journalists from 11 countries, nominated by OCRI partner organisations. Building on this success, the 2026 Climate Investigations Training Scholarship will open applications to journalists from the following regions: Africa, Latin America, West Asia, and South Asia.
Scholarship Overview
The 2026 edition of the scholarship will provide 10 eligible journalists with full access to the spring run of the CIC, valued at up to £2,638. The programme will run online from 11 March to 7 May 2026, offering participants the tools, techniques, and mentorship required to conduct deep investigative research into climate change.
Participants will gain:
- Knowledge to investigate and expose environmental wrongdoing
- Skills to research, quantify, and analyse climate and environmental data
- Techniques to craft compelling, impactful climate stories
- Guidance on influencing policy, regulation, or corporate decision-making through investigative journalism
CIC Curriculum and Time Commitment
The scholarship covers the full CIC programme, consisting of 24.5 hours of hands-on training delivered across four core modules:
- Climate Investigation Fundamentals – Understanding the foundations of investigative climate reporting
- Investigating Climate Finance – Exploring the financial flows and economic dimensions of climate issues
- Data-Driven Climate Investigations – Using quantitative and qualitative data for evidence-based reporting
- ECOSINT (Environmental and Climate Open Source Intelligence) – Leveraging open-source tools and platforms for investigative research
Recipients are required to commit to attending all modules to fully benefit from the programme. The scholarship is funded by the Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF), covering all training costs for selected participants.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be an early- to mid-career journalist based in Africa, Latin America, West Asia, or South Asia
- Have experience in investigative journalism, preferably with a focus on environmental or climate issues, or demonstrate a strong interest in these areas
- Possess advanced English proficiency in reading, listening, and speaking
- Commit to attending all CIC modules
Full selection criteria are detailed in the official application form.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 12 January 2026
- Application Deadline: 11 February 2026, 23:59 BST (UK time)
- Successful Applicants Notified: 25 February 2026
- CIC Spring Training Begins: 11 March 2026
- CIC Spring Training Ends: 7 May 2026
Apply here: CIJ Climate Investigations Training Scholarship 2026
Additional Opportunities
CIJ offers ongoing opportunities for climate-focused journalists, including:
- “From Skills to Shifts: How Climate Investigations Get Results” – a webinar on 29 January 2026 (3:00–4:30 PM UK Time) exploring how investigative journalism drives climate action
- Climate Investigations Course: All Modules (25 May – 24 July 2026) – a comprehensive programme providing all the skills and expertise needed to conduct thorough investigative research into the climate crisis, with a 20% discount on all modules
About CIJ and OCRI
The Open Climate Reporting Initiative (OCRI) has empowered hundreds of journalists worldwide to produce investigative, high-quality content on climate and environmental issues. By providing training, mentorship, and resources, CIJ helps journalists construct compelling narratives that inform the public, influence policy, and drive meaningful action on climate change.
The CIJ Climate Investigations Course equips journalists with the tools, skills, and guidance needed to investigate all aspects of the climate crisis, from environmental impacts and scientific research to finance, policy, and corporate accountability.
The programme combines expert instruction with hands-on practice, ensuring participants are ready to produce high-impact investigative stories that resonate with audiences globally.
