​
Reporting on structural injustice and financial misconduct takes more than basic journalism skills. It also means connecting with global conversations and investigative networks. If you are an early-career journalist hoping to build your international profile, you can now apply for the IACC Young Journalists Program 2026 from Transparency International.
This fellowship covers all costs for ten journalists from around the world to attend the 22nd International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The event runs from December 1 to December 4, 2026, and is a leading forum on current governance issues. Applications are open until July 15, 2026, so interested journalists should apply soon for a chance to join global leaders and experts.
Mapping out diverse funding tracks is an essential strategy for ambitious professionals. If your career goals extend beyond investigative journalism into advanced scientific research, public policy, or global healthcare, you can review our technical breakdown on the University of Genoa 2026/2027 fully funded PhD tracks to explore fully financed doctoral options in Europe.
Fully Funded Fellowship Coverage
Transparency International removes financial barriers for international reporting by offering fellows a full travel and logistics package:
- Round-Trip Airfare: The program fully covers economy-class return flights from the participant’s home country to Punta Cana.
- Five Nights of Accommodation: Fellows stay in a hotel in Punta Cana at no cost during the conference.
- Full Meal Provisions: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided every day during the program.
- Visa Fee Reimbursements: The program will reimburse approved visa fees for entry into the Dominican Republic once you submit your receipts.
- All-Access Summit Passes: Fellows can attend all sessions, workshops, and panels without restrictions.
Eligibility Matrix and Candidate Requirements
With only 10 spots available, the selection process is very competitive. The panel reviews candidates using these criteria:
- Professional Status: Applicants should be working journalists with experience reporting on social, political, economic, or public-interest topics. Journalists from all media types are welcome.
- Age Limitation: Applicants must be younger than 35 years old on December 6, 2026.
- Language Skill Set: You need to be fluent and able to work in English, since the conference and reporting will be mainly in English.
- Mission Alignment: Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in public accountability, anti-corruption work, and Transparency International’s values.
Structural Guide to Submitting Your Application
Applications must be compiled and submitted through the organization’s centralized digital infrastructure. To ensure your profile is processed successfully before the July 15 cutoff, follow this step-by-step sequence:
1. Access the Official IACC Application Portal: Phase 1.
Navigate directly to the Official IACC 2026 Young Journalists Application Portal to initiate your electronic submission profile.
2. Provide Professional and Regional Context: Phase 2.
Fill in your personal identification details, working contact information, your current media beat, and the primary country or region from which you report.
3. Link Your Professional Portfolio: Phase 3.
Share a link to your professional website or media profiles. Upload or link 3 to 5 recent examples of your published work that show your experience with public interest or investigative reporting.
4. Draft Your Editorial and Pitch Strategy: Phase 4.
Describe the anti-corruption topics you plan to cover at the summit. Also, explain how you will share your final report and which media outlets you plan to pitch it to after the event.
5. Upload Supporting Documents and Submit: Phase 5.
Attach your updated CV and any required documents to verify your work. Read the terms of reference, check the agreement box, and click “Submit” before July 15, 2026.
Essential Deliverables and Expectations
If you join the Young Journalists Program, you will have certain professional responsibilities. Fellows are active participants, working in a fast-paced newsroom with guidance from mentors. You will interview top international activists and create real-time content. After the summit, each fellow must independently produce and publish at least one in-depth investigative report or feature story in a recognized media outlet.
