Young Journalist Award 2026 in UK | Fully Funded

The Young Journalist Award is a global competition by the Thomson Foundation that recognizes outstanding journalism from emerging reporters in countries with limited resources. It offers an international platform and an all-expenses-paid trip to London for finalists.

Applicants must be 30 years old or under on 30 November 2026, and be from or reporting in a country with a GNI per capita of USD 20,000 or less. They must submit three published or broadcast works produced in the 12 months before 9 August 2026.

Three finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to London to attend the Foreign Press Association Media Awards on 30 November 2026. They also visit major newsrooms and participate in bespoke training sessions to strengthen their reporting skills and networks.

The deadline for entries is 9 August 2026. All applications must be submitted online before this date.

Entries can be in print, audio, video, or multimedia formats. The award seeks journalism with originality, courage, and impact, including investigative, human-centered, visual, audio-led, data-informed, or multimedia storytelling.

Entries are judged based on originality and courage, investigative depth and accountability, human-centered storytelling, impact and relevance, and professionalism and clarity.

Yes, you must provide a verification letter from your editor on official letterhead confirming that the submitted work is yours and was published or broadcast. Freelancers can provide a letter from a commissioning editor or a journalism academic.

The award ceremony will take place at the Foreign Press Association Media Awards in London on 30 November 2026. Three finalists will be flown to London to attend.

Yes, freelancers can apply. They need to provide a verification letter from a commissioning editor or a journalism academic familiar with their work, confirming authorship and publication.

The award has received almost 4,000 entries since it was launched 14 years ago, recognizing powerful reporting from countries including Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Peru, and Sudan.