Women journalists from underrepresented backgrounds can apply for the 2026 Lauren Brown Fellowship, which offers reporting grants and professional development opportunities to support ambitious journalism projects and career growth. The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has opened applications for the 2026 Lauren Brown Fellowship, an initiative created to continue the legacy of Lauren Alix Brown, a founding editor at Quartz Media who championed emerging journalists and underrepresented voices. The fellowship supports journalists seeking to pursue ambitious reporting projects on underreported issues while strengthening their professional skills and careers. Applications are open until October 30, 2026. About the Lauren Brown Fellowship The Lauren Brown Fellowship was established in memory of Lauren Alix Brown, who died in 2019 at the age of 37. During her career, she served as director of special projects at Quartz, where she oversaw major journalism initiatives and helped elevate writers from marginalised backgrounds. The fellowship continues her commitment to journalism that brings overlooked perspectives into public discussion. It supports the next generation of women journalists from underrepresented backgrounds, including those with diverse socioeconomic and educational experiences. Through reporting grants and professional development opportunities, the fellowship aims to help journalists develop meaningful stories, expand their reporting capabilities and advance their careers. What Does the Fellowship Offer? The programme provides two central forms of support to selected journalists. Reporting Grants The fellowship provides reporting grants to help recipients pursue ambitious journalism projects, particularly stories covering underreported issues and perspectives that may receive limited attention in mainstream media. This support is intended to help journalists investigate important subjects and bring the experiences of overlooked communities to wider audiences. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Professional Development Selected fellows can also access professional development opportunities designed to strengthen their journalism careers. The programme builds on the belief that supporting emerging reporters involves not only enabling individual stories but also helping journalists develop their skills, confidence and professional opportunities. Note: The announcement supplied does not specify the grant amount, so applicants should consult the official fellowship page for details about funding levels and eligible expenses. Who Should Apply? The fellowship is designed for women journalists from underrepresented backgrounds who want to pursue ambitious reporting projects and develop their careers. The programme’s stated focus includes journalists from diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds and others whose perspectives have historically been overlooked. Applicants should review the official eligibility requirements to determine whether their professional background, reporting experience and proposed project meet the criteria for the 2026 fellowship. What Types of Reporting Are Relevant? The fellowship’s mission emphasises journalism that brings new voices and underrepresented perspectives into public conversation. Applicants may wish to consider projects that investigate overlooked issues, document the experiences of marginalised communities or introduce audiences to people and perspectives that are insufficiently represented in established media coverage. Strong proposals should clearly explain the story being investigated, why it matters, whose experiences it will highlight and how the reporting could contribute to public understanding. These are general considerations based on the fellowship’s stated mission, rather than a substitute for any formal project criteria in the application guidelines. A Fellowship Built on Lauren Brown’s Legacy Lauren Brown was known for supporting emerging journalists and encouraging reporting that moved beyond familiar voices and established narratives. The fellowship was created by her colleagues, family, friends and peers to continue that work. Previous fellowship cohorts have included journalists such as Yashica Dutt, Desirée Yépez, Ailia Zehra, Arshi Qureshi and Jennifer Chowdhury in 2025. In 2024, the fellowship supported current and former members of the IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Mentorship Program in pursuing reporting projects on underreported issues and professional development opportunities. These previous cohorts illustrate the fellowship’s continuing focus on journalism that expands whose stories are told and whose perspectives are heard. Why This Opportunity Matters Journalists from underrepresented backgrounds can face barriers to accessing resources, professional networks and opportunities to pursue ambitious investigations. Reporting grants can help address some of these barriers by supporting the development of stories that might otherwise struggle to secure resources. Professional development can also help journalists build the skills and experience needed to progress in their careers. For women journalists with a compelling reporting idea, the Lauren Brown Fellowship may offer an opportunity to develop a project while contributing to a more inclusive media landscape. How to Apply Interested journalists should visit the official International Women’s Media Foundation website and review the 2026 Lauren Brown Fellowship application requirements. Before submitting an application, candidates should confirm the eligibility criteria, required materials, reporting project expectations and details of the grant. VISIT HERE TO APPLY Applicants should use the official fellowship application page to access the application form and the latest instructions. Application Deadline The deadline for the 2026 Lauren Brown Fellowship is October 30, 2026. Eligible journalists are encouraged to review the requirements and prepare their applications before the closing date. Important: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the offering organisation. This opportunity is shared for informational purposes. Applicants should verify all eligibility requirements, funding details and application instructions directly with the International Women’s Media Foundation. Do not send applications, CVs or supporting documents to GSO. GSO does not process applications for this fellowship. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP COMMUNITY NOW