The Thomson Foundation, an organisation based in the United Kingdom that champions integrity in journalism and media and supports professionals and organisations committed to delivering fair, independent, and trustworthy information, is accepting entries from journalists aged 30 years or below for the 2026 edition of the annual journalism competition, the Young Journalist Award.
The annual competition is organised in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Press Association (FPA) and is presented at their annual awards event in London.
The Young Journalist Award has supported outstanding journalists over the years, showcasing investigative reporting that exposes social issues and holds power to account.
Since its launch 14 years ago, the award has received nearly 4,000 entries and recognised powerful reporting from countries, including Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Peru, and Sudan.
To be eligible, applicants must be 30 years old or younger as of November 30, 2026, and be from, or reporting in, a country with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of USD 20,000 or less.
Applicants must also submit three published or broadcast works produced within 12 months before August 9, 2026. Entries may be in print, audio, video, or multimedia formats. In addition, applicants must provide a verification letter on official letterhead from their editor confirming that the work is theirs and has been published or broadcast. Freelancers may instead submit a letter from a commissioning editor or a journalism academic familiar with their work.
Successful applicants will get the chance to bring their reporting to a wider international audience and be recognised for journalism that has exposed wrongdoing, challenged injustice, explained complex issues, or given voice to people whose experiences are too often ignored.
Three finalists will be invited to London to attend the FPA Media Awards on November 30, 2026, where the winner will be announced before an audience of leading figures in global journalism. While in the United Kingdom, finalists will also visit major newsrooms and take part in a bespoke training session designed to help them strengthen their reporting skills and professional networks.
For full details of the eligibility requirements and entry process, please visit here. Entries must be submitted by midnight (London time) on August 9, 2026.
