Deadline: 15-Jul-2026
The Young Journalist Programme invites early-career journalists from around the world to join a mentored reporting experience at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in the Dominican Republic in December 2026. The programme offers 10 positions for journalists under 35 who are committed to reporting on corruption, transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption issues.
Selected participants will receive economy-class return airfare to Punta Cana, five nights of accommodation at the conference hotel, meals during the stay, and possible visa processing cost reimbursement. Participants are expected to attend the conference, engage with anti-corruption leaders and activists, and produce at least one report after the event.
What is the Young Journalist Programme?
The Young Journalist Programme is an international opportunity for early-career journalists interested in corruption-related reporting.
It provides selected journalists with access to the International Anti-Corruption Conference in the Dominican Republic in December 2026.
The programme is designed as a mentored experience where young journalists can learn from experts, engage with anti-corruption discussions, interview key leaders, and develop stronger reporting skills on governance, corruption, transparency, and accountability.
Main Purpose of the Programme
The main purpose of the Young Journalist Programme is to strengthen journalism on corruption and anti-corruption issues.
The programme supports early-career journalists who want to improve their understanding of corruption, transparency, public accountability, political integrity, governance challenges, and global anti-corruption efforts.
It also helps journalists connect with activists, experts, policymakers, and leaders working to fight corruption worldwide.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The programme focuses on building the capacity of young journalists to report on corruption and transparency.
Key focus areas include:
- Anti-corruption journalism
- Investigative reporting
- Transparency and accountability
- Social, political, and economic reporting
- Governance and public integrity
- Global anti-corruption trends
- Interviewing anti-corruption leaders and activists
- Reporting from international conferences
- Public interest journalism
- Media engagement in anti-corruption dialogue
Key Concepts Explained
Anti-Corruption Journalism
Anti-corruption journalism focuses on exposing, explaining, and analysing corruption-related issues.
This may include reporting on misuse of public resources, lack of transparency, bribery, abuse of power, weak governance, public procurement concerns, corporate accountability, or political corruption.
Mentored Journalism Experience
A mentored journalism experience means selected participants receive guidance before and during the event.
For this programme, participants will receive an online briefing before the conference and on-ground support through a dedicated contact person during the event.
International Anti-Corruption Conference
The International Anti-Corruption Conference is a global platform for discussions on corruption, transparency, accountability, governance, and public integrity.
The Young Journalist Programme gives selected journalists the opportunity to attend the conference and report on key issues discussed by global leaders, experts, and activists.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to early-career journalists from around the world.
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be under 35 years of age
- Be currently working in journalism
- Have demonstrable experience reporting on social, political, or economic issues
- Be proficient in English
- Show strong interest in corruption, transparency, and accountability issues
- Be committed to producing at least one report after the conference
- Be able to pitch the final report successfully to a media outlet
- Agree to follow the programme terms and code of conduct
Number of Positions Available
The programme offers 10 positions.
These positions are intended for young journalists who can actively participate in the conference and contribute meaningful reporting on anti-corruption themes.
Support Package
Selected participants will receive a travel and conference support package.
The support package includes:
- Economy-class return airfare to Punta Cana
- Five nights of accommodation at the conference hotel
- Full meal coverage during the hotel stay, excluding alcoholic beverages
- Visa processing cost reimbursement, if agreed in advance
- Visa reimbursement only after submission of valid receipts
- Online briefing session before the event
- Dedicated on-ground contact person during the conference
Costs Not Covered
The programme does not cover all travel-related expenses.
Participants are responsible for additional expenses not included in the support package.
Costs not covered may include:
- Extra travel-related expenses
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Expenses not approved in advance
- Costs without valid receipts where reimbursement is required
The programme also does not provide editorial pitching support or publication placement support.
What Participants Are Expected to Do
Selected journalists are expected to participate fully in the programme and conference activities.
Participants should use the opportunity to learn, conduct interviews, build knowledge, and develop strong reporting on corruption-related issues.
Expected responsibilities include:
- Attend the International Anti-Corruption Conference in December 2026
- Participate in the online briefing before the event
- Engage with anti-corruption discussions during the conference
- Interview relevant leaders, activists, experts, or participants where possible
- Follow the programme terms and code of conduct
- Produce at least one report after the conference
- Pitch the report successfully to a media outlet
How the Programme Works
The Young Journalist Programme supports journalists before, during, and after the conference.
Before the event, selected participants will attend an online briefing session. This session helps them understand the programme, expectations, conference context, and reporting opportunities.
During the conference, participants will receive on-ground support from a dedicated contact person. This support is intended to help them navigate the programme experience and engage with relevant people and sessions.
After the conference, participants are expected to produce at least one report. They must also pitch the report to a media outlet for publication.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements, including age, journalism experience, English proficiency, and interest in corruption-related reporting.
They should prepare evidence of their journalism work, especially reporting related to social, political, or economic issues.
Applicants should clearly show their commitment to exploring corruption, transparency, governance, accountability, and anti-corruption themes.
The application should also demonstrate the applicant’s ability to produce a strong report after the conference and pitch it to a media outlet.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that you are under 35 years of age.
- Make sure you are currently working in journalism.
- Collect examples of your previous reporting on social, political, or economic issues.
- Prepare a clear explanation of your interest in corruption, transparency, and accountability.
- Show how attending the International Anti-Corruption Conference will strengthen your journalism.
- Explain the type of story or reporting angle you may pursue after the conference.
- Confirm that you can participate in the online briefing and attend the conference in the Dominican Republic.
- Be ready to follow the programme terms and code of conduct.
- Submit the application through the official programme process.
Why It Matters
Corruption affects public trust, governance, economic development, public services, and democratic accountability.
Journalists play an important role in investigating corruption, explaining complex governance issues, and informing the public.
The Young Journalist Programme helps early-career journalists build knowledge, networks, and confidence to report more effectively on corruption and transparency issues.
By supporting young journalists worldwide, the programme strengthens public interest journalism and encourages more informed reporting on anti-corruption efforts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting a general journalism application without clearly explaining their interest in corruption-related issues.
They should not ignore the requirement to produce at least one report after the conference.
Applicants should avoid relying only on interest or motivation without showing actual journalism experience.
They should not assume that the programme will provide editorial pitching or publication placement support.
Applicants should also avoid unclear travel planning, weak writing samples, or failure to show English proficiency.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly connect the applicant’s journalism experience with anti-corruption reporting.
Applicants should highlight previous work on social, political, economic, governance, or accountability issues.
They should explain why the International Anti-Corruption Conference is relevant to their professional development.
The application should include a realistic reporting idea or theme that could be developed after the conference.
Applicants should also show that they can independently pitch their story to a media outlet after the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Young Journalist Programme?
The Young Journalist Programme is a mentored opportunity for early-career journalists to attend the International Anti-Corruption Conference in the Dominican Republic in December 2026 and report on corruption-related issues.
2. Who can apply?
Journalists from around the world can apply if they are under 35, currently working in journalism, proficient in English, and have experience reporting on social, political, or economic issues.
3. How many positions are available?
The programme offers 10 positions for selected young journalists.
4. What support is provided?
The support package includes economy-class return airfare to Punta Cana, five nights of accommodation at the conference hotel, meals excluding alcoholic beverages, and possible visa processing cost reimbursement with prior agreement and receipts.
5. Are all travel expenses covered?
No. Additional travel-related expenses are not included and must be covered by participants.
6. Will the programme help participants publish their stories?
No. Editorial pitching and publication placement support will not be provided. Selected journalists are expected to produce at least one report after the conference and successfully pitch it to a media outlet themselves.
7. What are selected participants expected to do?
Selected participants must attend the conference, take part in the programme, comply with the terms and code of conduct, engage with anti-corruption themes, and produce at least one report after the conference.
Conclusion
The Young Journalist Programme 2026 is a valuable international opportunity for early-career journalists committed to reporting on corruption, transparency, and accountability.
Through conference access, mentoring, travel support, accommodation, and on-ground assistance, the programme helps young journalists deepen their understanding of global anti-corruption efforts.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate journalism experience, strong interest in corruption-related reporting, English proficiency, and the ability to produce and pitch a report after the conference.
For more information, visit IACC.
