The Pulitzer Center, an organisation that raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism across all media platforms, is inviting journalists to apply for the third cohort of the Ocean Reporting Network (ORN), a fellowship programme that gives professional journalists the opportunity to spend up to a year working on an in-depth or investigative ocean story.
Launched in 2023, the ocean grants and fellowships is based on the successful model of its pioneering Rainforest Investigations Network, and aims to expand and diversify the global community of reporters, editors, and outlets conducting investigations and publishing in-depth ocean stories within a network that is continually learning and growing.
The Center’s Ocean reporting has covered many of the issues raised in the film, including overfishing and illegal fishing; marine protected areas; the rising temperature of the ocean and what it means for marine biodiversity and local communities that depend on it; and efforts to restore and protect ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests.
The Center seeks compelling, impactful, innovative, and well-developed story ideas or cross-border collaborations from experienced environmental journalists who can count on the close involvement of a newsroom for a year.
Each year, the Fellowship awards up to 10 journalists financial support, the opportunity to join a community of peers, mentorship, and training opportunities. Fellows receive training and support from dedicated editors from the Pulitzer Center’s Environmental Investigations Unit, as well as further support from its Engagement team to help amplify their stories, engage with their audience, and measure impact.
Interested journalists should apply by providing the following:
- A copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
- A description of the investigative or in-depth reporting project you seek to pursue during your fellowship (800 words).
- A plan for how your project will be published and distributed, which audiences you want to reach and how you will engage them (500 words).
- A statement of purpose: How does this fellowship fit in with your career path, and why you are best positioned to be an Ocean Reporting Network Fellow (500 words).
- A letter of support from your media employer or a newsroom that has agreed to host you. This must indicate that there is a level of understanding of the project and partnership.
- Three examples of your most impactful investigations published in the past 3-5 years.
- Contact details for three professional references.
Applicants must have a valid passport for the entirety of 2026.
Applications for the Fellowships will close on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT.
For further information and to apply, please visit https://pulitzercenter.org/blog/journalism-goes-deep-applications-open-ocean-reporting-fellowships.
