Long Island University annually seeks nominations for the George Polk Awards for exceptional long-form investigative or enterprise journalism. Categories vary from year to year, but usually include environmental reporting and photojournalism. Cash prizes. Deadline: Jan 8, 2026.

Journalists with minimum 3 years' experience in reporting science, medicine, environment or technology for the public can apply for an academic year at MIT. Must be full-time reporters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers or photojournalists, freelance or on staff. $85,000 stipend. Apply by Jan 9, 2026.

The Water Desk invites applications for an expenses-paid, in-person training and workshop for journalists interested in covering the Rio Grande watershed to be held in El Paso, Texas, March 25-27, 2026. Deadline: Jan 12.

The Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications annually recognizes excellence in reporting that centers on the public’s right to know and draws on government documents and data that uncover official secrecy. $3,000 prize. Deadline: Jan 12, 2026.

Mid-career journalists who want to write a novel or fictional prose are invited to apply for this workshop, Jul 7-15, 2026, at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications in Evanston, Ill. Fully funded by "Game of Thrones" author Martin, pictured left. Deadline: Jan 12.

This fellowship finances a significant foreign reporting project by a Canadian journalist (or non-Canadian holding valid work permit or grad student) working as a freelance or full-time journalist in any medium. The fellowship provides up to $25,000 to cover travel, reporting and research expenses. Apply by Jan 12, 2026.

CAJ recognizes outstanding Canadian reporting — with a particular focus on investigative work. Cash prizes are offered in several categories, including Photojournalism, Environmental and Climate Change, Emerging Indigenous Journalist, FOI Journalism, Data Journalism, Student and more. Deadline: Jan 13, 2026.

USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism's expenses-paid California Fellowship in March 2026 is open to California-based professional journalists (including freelancers and national correspondents with California-focused projects). Includes stipend, training, potential grants and specialized mentoring. Apply by Jan 14.

The Sidney Hillman Foundation awards the Canadian Hillman Prize to a Canadian journalist whose work makes a difference to the lives of Canadians. Open to journalists and subjects globally, but content must have been published in Canada. The winners receive an honorarium. Deadline: Jan 15, 2026.

The 2026 program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, May 14-24, offers experienced professional science journalists, writers, editors and producers a chance to immerse themselves in the process of basic biomedical or environmental research. Includes travel, room, board and course fees. Apply by Jan 15.