🌿 EJN Biodiversity Fellowships for Journalists 2026 — UN CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia | October 19-30, 2026 | Fully Funded: Airfare, Accommodation, Meals, Insurance & Ground Transport | For Journalists from Low & Middle-Income Countries (Pakistan Eligible) | Minimum 10 Fellows | Pre-COP Virtual Workshop + Daily Briefings + Mentorship from Senior Journalists | English Proficiency Required | Letter of Support from Media House Required | Last Date: 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue) | Apply via EJN Portal
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Application Deadline: 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue) | Decisions by End of July 2026
🌿 EJN Biodiversity Fellowships for Journalists 2026 — Cover UN CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia | Fully Funded
Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN) — in partnership with NABU through the SYMBIOTIC Project and the Biodiversity Media Initiative — has announced a prestigious fully funded fellowship program for journalists to attend and report from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17 conference, scheduled for October 19-30, 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. This is a rare and career-defining opportunity for journalists from low- and middle-income countries (Pakistan fully eligible) to cover one of the world's most critical environmental negotiations.
The CBD COP17 will be the first biodiversity COP meeting past the halfway mark to 2030 and will mark the first global stocktake of progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 23 targets — including the "30x30" objective to protect 30% of global land and seas. EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance, and ground transportation costs. Organizers will facilitate press accreditation and provide logistical support. Visa costs will be reimbursed (though obtaining the visa is the fellow's responsibility). A minimum of 10 journalists will be selected. Applications must be submitted in English only by 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue).
📊 Program Overview — EJN Biodiversity COP17 Fellowship 2026
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Earth Journalism Network (EJN) — Internews |
| Partners | NABU (SYMBIOTIC Project) & Biodiversity Media Initiative |
| Conference | UN Convention on Biological Diversity — CBD COP17 |
| Dates | October 19-30, 2026 (Arrival: 17 Oct, Departure: 31 Oct) |
| Location | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Fellows | Minimum 10 Journalists from Low & Middle-Income Countries |
| Funding | Airfare, Accommodation, Meals, Insurance, Ground Transport, Visa Reimbursement |
| Language | English Proficiency Required — Application in English Only |
| Deadline | 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue) |
| Decisions | Before End of July 2026 |
🌿 About EJN, CBD COP17 & The Global Biodiversity Framework
Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is a global network of journalists dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of environmental reporting worldwide. EJN provides training, fellowships, grants, and resources to journalists covering climate change, biodiversity, oceans, and other environmental issues — with a focus on low- and middle-income countries where environmental challenges are most acute but media capacity is often limited.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17 is a landmark event. In 2022, CBD COP15 launched the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework — a historic international agreement with 23 targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. COP17, held at the halfway mark to 2030, will be the first global stocktake of progress toward these targets. With over 48,000 species threatened with extinction and biodiversity loss ranking among the most severe long-term risks facing our planet, the outcomes of COP17 will have profound implications for global conservation, sustainable development, and the future of life on Earth. This fellowship ensures that journalists from the countries most impacted by biodiversity loss can report on these critical negotiations.
📋 What the Fellowship Covers — Fully Funded
- Economy-Class Airfare: Non-refundable round-trip to Yerevan, Armenia.
- Accommodation: Covered for the duration of the conference (17-31 October 2026).
- Meals: Covered during the fellowship period.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Provided.
- Ground Transportation: Costs related to fellowship participation covered.
- Press Accreditation: Facilitated by organizers.
- Visa Costs: Reimbursed (visa application is the fellow's responsibility).
- Pre-COP Virtual Workshop: Meet the team, discuss reporting opportunities, and prepare.
- On-Site Activities: Orientation with biodiversity experts, daily briefings, interviews with high-level officials.
- Mentorship: Guided by senior EJN trainers with experience covering UN summits.
✅ Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply
- Nationality/Location: Professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a low- or middle-income country as classified by the World Bank — Pakistan is fully eligible.
- Biodiversity Experience: Previous experience reporting on biodiversity issues — must clearly indicate the kinds of stories you might pursue at COP17.
- Availability: Available and willing to travel to Yerevan, arriving October 17 and departing no earlier than October 31, 2026.
- Language: Good command of English (application in English only).
- Resume/CV: Up-to-date CV required.
- Letter of Support: From an editor, producer, or supervisor confirming your reports will be published/broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers must also provide a letter of support from a media outlet.
- Work Samples: Recent, relevant journalistic work samples on biodiversity topics (published in the last 12 months). Can be in any language with a short English synopsis.
- Not Previously Attended: Journalists who attended biodiversity COPs in the past with EJN's support are NOT eligible.
📝 Judging Criteria — How Applications Are Evaluated
- Demonstrated Experience: Covering biodiversity topics, policy, and other environmental topics.
- Clear Reporting Plan: Well-researched plan for COP including potential story ideas, estimated number of stories, and demonstrated intention to continue developing the plan.
- Media House Relationship: Established relationship with a media house and a signed letter of support from an editor.
- Diversity: EJN considers assembling a diverse cohort of journalists from different types of media houses, mediums, and geographies.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue) |
| Decisions Communicated | Before End of July 2026 |
| Pre-COP Virtual Workshop | Prior to COP17 |
| Arrival in Yerevan | 17 October 2026 |
| CBD COP17 Conference | 19-30 October 2026 |
| Departure from Yerevan | 31 October 2026 |
🌿 Why Apply for the EJN Biodiversity COP17 Fellowship?
- Fully Funded International Assignment: All major costs covered — airfare, accommodation, meals, insurance, and transport.
- Cover a Historic Conference: Report from the first global stocktake of biodiversity progress at the halfway mark to 2030.
- Professional Mentorship: Guided by senior EJN trainers with UN summit experience.
- Global Network: Join a cohort of environmental journalists from around the world.
- Career Advancement: Covering a UN COP conference is a significant professional credential for any journalist.
- Press Accreditation: Facilitated by organizers — access to high-level officials and negotiations.
- Publish Globally: Stories may be republished by EJN, its partners, and grant funders — reaching a global audience.
💡 Expert Tips for Pakistani Journalists Applying
- Demonstrate Biodiversity Expertise: Provide work samples on biodiversity topics published in the last 12 months. These can be in Urdu or any language with English synopses.
- Prepare a Strong Reporting Plan: Outline specific story ideas for COP17 — Pakistan's biodiversity challenges (mangroves, Indus Delta, deforestation, wildlife conservation, climate impacts) can provide rich angles.
- Get Your Letter of Support Early: This is required from an editor/producer/supervisor confirming publication. Freelancers must also secure this from a media outlet.
- Apply in English: Applications are only accepted in English. Ensure your application demonstrates strong English proficiency.
- Disclose AI Use: The application requires transparency about any use of generative AI tools. Undisclosed AI-generated content may lead to disqualification.
- Apply Early: Only minimum 10 fellows will be selected. Competition is global.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the 29 June Deadline: Late applications are not considered.
- No Letter of Support: This is mandatory — even for freelancers. Start this process early.
- Not Demonstrating Biodiversity Experience: Work samples must focus on biodiversity topics.
- Previously Attended COP with EJN: Past EJN COP fellows are not eligible.
- AI-Generated Content Without Disclosure: Must be transparent about AI use. Undisclosed AI content = disqualification.
- Applying in a Language Other Than English: Only English applications are accepted.
📞 Contact Information
For queries, email: info.ejn@internews.org. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Is Pakistan eligible?
A: Yes — Pakistan is a low/middle-income country. - Q: Last date?
A: 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue). - Q: Is it fully funded?
A: Yes — airfare, accommodation, meals, insurance, transport, visa reimbursement. - Q: Do I need a letter of support?
A: Yes — mandatory from an editor/producer/supervisor. Freelancers also need one. - Q: Can I apply in Urdu?
A: No — applications only in English. Work samples can be in any language with English synopsis. - Q: How many fellows?
A: Minimum 10 — may expand.
🏁 Final Words
The EJN Biodiversity Fellowships for CBD COP17 offer Pakistani environmental journalists a fully funded, career-defining opportunity to report from the world's most important biodiversity conference in Yerevan, Armenia. With airfare, accommodation, meals, insurance, mentorship, and press accreditation all covered — this fellowship removes all financial barriers to international environmental reporting. Prepare your letter of support, biodiversity work samples, and English application by 29 June 2026. 🌿
🌿 Apply for EJN Biodiversity COP17 Fellowships 2026! Fully Funded — Airfare, Accommodation, Meals, Insurance & Transport | UN CBD COP17 — Yerevan, Armenia (19-30 Oct 2026) | For Journalists from Low/Middle-Income Countries (Pakistan Eligible) | Letter of Support + Biodiversity Samples Required | Deadline: 29 June 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific/Niue)
🌿 Apply Now — EJN Portal 📧 Contact — info.ejn@internews.org