Feminist Investigative Journalism Scholarship: A Path to Justice-Focused Reporting
Aspiring journalists and social justice advocates have a unique opportunity to hone their investigative and data journalism skills through the Feminist Investigative Journalism Scholarship. This program, offered by the Institute for Journalism and Social Change (IJSC) in partnership with the SOAS MA Global Data Journalism Online, aims to empower individuals who want to use reporting to expose injustice and advocate for marginalized communities. The scholarship is particularly focused on advancing gender justice, protecting women’s and LGBTQI rights, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Applications are open until May 31, 2026, with a limited number of scholarships available.
Understanding the Scholarship’s Value
The Feminist Investigative Journalism Scholarship is more than just financial aid; it’s a comprehensive program designed to build impactful careers in journalism. It provides recipients with the tools, knowledge, and network needed to conduct meaningful investigations and produce work that can lead to real-world change. The scholarship is ideal for those looking to build careers in investigative journalism, data journalism, global reporting, human rights advocacy, or social justice media. It recognizes the power of journalism to hold institutions accountable and to tell stories with depth, context, and sensitivity.
Key Benefits for Scholarship Recipients
Successful applicants will receive a range of benefits designed to support their academic and professional development. These include full tuition fee coverage for the SOAS MA Global Data Journalism Online program, valued at £12,000. This removes a significant financial barrier for many aspiring postgraduate students. Beyond tuition, recipients gain access to exclusive IJSC networking events, connecting them with experienced journalists, researchers, activists, and media professionals. This provides invaluable opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
Furthermore, the scholarship offers dedicated mentorship and career advice from IJSC associates and advisors. This guidance is crucial for developing investigative story ideas, refining data journalism skills, and navigating the ethical complexities of reporting. A significant component of the scholarship is the opportunity to work on practical projects intended for publication. This hands-on experience allows students to apply their learning to real-world issues, with past IJSC investigations having garnered attention from major outlets like Al Jazeera and The Guardian, and even influenced policy changes.
The SOAS MA Global Data Journalism Online Programme
The SOAS MA Global Data Journalism Online programme, developed in collaboration with the IJSC, focuses on journalism that is data-driven, globally aware, and committed to social justice. It is designed for students who want to understand how journalism can challenge dominant narratives and support marginalized communities. The program’s online format makes it accessible to a global audience, allowing students to study remotely without the need for relocation. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals balancing study with work, family, or other commitments. The program begins in September 2026 and can be completed either full-time in one year or part-time over two years.
Why This Scholarship is Important
This scholarship addresses a critical need in journalism: ensuring that those most affected by injustice have the platforms and skills to tell their own stories. It supports individuals who can bring lived experience, ethical reporting, and feminist analysis to investigative journalism, particularly concerning issues like women’s rights, LGBTQI rights, social inequality, and global South perspectives. By focusing on these areas, the scholarship aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.
Reasons to Apply for the Scholarship
There are compelling reasons for individuals passionate about justice-oriented journalism to apply. The program equips students with specialized investigative and data journalism skills, teaching them how to use data, research, and storytelling to expose critical issues. It emphasizes feminist and decolonized approaches to journalism, encouraging critical thinking about power, history, and representation in media. The online delivery makes it accessible globally, and the program values applicants who can translate their lived experiences into impactful journalism, bringing unique insights and urgency to their reporting. The skills gained can support diverse career paths, from newsrooms to NGO work and policy advocacy.
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for the Feminist Investigative Journalism Scholarship, applicants must hold a minimum of a 2:2 UK undergraduate degree or an international equivalent. Importantly, applicants must also separately apply for and gain admission to the SOAS MA Global Data Journalism Online program, as scholarship awards are conditional upon acceptance into the degree. The application for the scholarship requires submitting a CV and answering three written questions, each between 300 and 400 words. These questions focus on how lived experience can be applied to journalism, specific interests in investigative and data journalism for gender justice, and an analysis of a story that could have been improved with a feminist approach.
Application Deadline and Final Considerations
The deadline for scholarship applications is 6pm GMT on May 31, 2026. Given the limited number of scholarships available, applicants are encouraged to prepare thoughtful and well-articulated responses. The scholarship represents a significant opportunity for individuals committed to using journalism as a tool for social change, offering full tuition, mentorship, networking, and practical experience. It is a pathway for those dedicated to gender justice, human rights, and evidence-based reporting to build a career that combines storytelling with a commitment to public accountability.
