Sir Harry Evans Fellowship in Investigative Journalism — a funded 9-month fellowship with Durham University & Reuters for early career journalists. Last date: 10 July 2026.
Introduction
The Sir Harry Evans Fellowship in Investigative Journalism 2027 is a globally open, nine-month funded fellowship jointly offered by Durham University and Reuters, designed exclusively for exceptional early career journalists. Fellows receive a competitive monthly salary, a living stipend, and a travel allowance, while working from a Reuters newsroom in London, New York, Sydney, or Toronto. Applicants must hold two to five years of professional journalism or relevant investigative experience. Applications close at 12:00 noon BST on 10 July 2026.
Program Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Global Investigative Journalism Fellowship |
| Organising Body | Durham University & Reuters |
| Mode | Offline (in-person at Reuters newsroom) |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Location / Platform | London, New York, Sydney, or Toronto (Reuters newsrooms) |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 July 2026, 12:00 noon BST |
About the Program
The Sir Harry Evans Fellowship in Investigative Journalism was established to honour the legacy of Sir Harry Evans, one of the most celebrated editors and investigative journalists of the twentieth century. The fellowship pairs the global reach of Reuters — one of the world’s foremost international news agencies — with the intellectual depth of Durham University’s Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), creating a uniquely powerful environment for rigorous, fact-based journalism.
Furthermore, the fellowship is structured to give the selected Fellow direct access to top Reuters editors as mentors, alongside Durham’s academic community and research infrastructure. Consequently, the Fellow is positioned to pursue an investigative project of genuine public significance, benefiting from both journalistic and scholarly guidance simultaneously.
Notably, the programme has already demonstrated its impact at the highest level: the inaugural Sir Harry Evans Fellow, Waylon Cunningham, was a member of a Reuters investigative team that won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in national reporting — a remarkable early indicator of the fellowship’s calibre and international standing.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Minimum two years and maximum five years of professional journalism experience required.
- Applicants from journalism or closely related investigative fields are eligible — no specific degree restriction is stated.
- Open to candidates worldwide, regardless of current location or nationality.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Active journalists with documented professional journalism experience are the primary target group.
- Non-journalists with equivalent investigative experience — such as authors, researchers on authoritative investigative works, or developers of documentary, photo-, or video-research projects and exhibitions — may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Applications from candidates representing groups under-represented in journalism are strongly encouraged.
Benefits & Funding
| Component | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly Salary | c. £4,444 per month (equivalent to c. £53,333 per year, pro-rata) |
| Monthly Living Stipend | £1,250 per month |
| Travel & Related Expenses | One-off payment of £1,800 |
Selection Process
- Application submission via the official online portal by 10 July 2026 at 12:00 noon BST.
- Shortlisting based on journalism experience and quality of proposed investigative project.
- Case-by-case review for applicants from non-traditional journalism backgrounds.
- Final selection by Durham University and Reuters jointly — refer to the official notification for further stages.
How to Apply
- Visit the official Sir Harry Evans Fellowship page on the Durham University or Reuters website.
- Review the full eligibility conditions and fellowship terms carefully before proceeding.
- Complete the online application form with accurate details regarding professional journalism experience and the proposed investigative project.
- Prepare and upload all required supporting documents as specified on the application portal.
- Submit the application before 12:00 noon BST on 10 July 2026 — applications received after this deadline will not be considered under any circumstances.
Application Fee: No fee is mentioned in the official notification. Refer to the official website for confirmation.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | Refer to official notification |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 July 2026, 12:00 noon BST |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click here to apply |
| Official Notification | Official Notification |
| Official Website | Click here |
Contact
Organising BodyDurham University Institute of Advanced Studies & Reuters
Location Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
Further DetailsRefer to the official Sir Harry Evans Fellowship page for helpdesk and grievance contact information — not explicitly stated in the notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the Sir Harry Evans Fellowship in Investigative Journalism?
The Sir Harry Evans Fellowship in Investigative Journalism is open to early career journalists with between two and five years of professional experience. Applicants from related investigative fields — such as documentary researchers, investigative authors, or photo/video project developers — may also apply and will be assessed individually. The fellowship is global, with no restriction on nationality or current location.
What is the total funding provided under the fellowship?
Fellows receive a monthly salary of approximately £4,444 (equivalent to a pro-rata annual salary of c. £53,333), a monthly living stipend of £1,250, and a one-off travel and expenses payment of £1,800 for the full nine-month duration of the fellowship.
Where will the fellowship be based, and can the location be chosen by the applicant?
The fellow will work from inside a Reuters newsroom, with available locations being London, New York, Sydney, and Toronto. Additional support is provided by colleagues at Durham University’s Institute of Advanced Studies. Refer to the official notification for details on location selection preferences.
What is the application deadline, and are late applications accepted?
The final deadline is 12:00 noon BST on 10 July 2026. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered under any circumstances, as clearly stated in the official fellowship notification.
What does the selection process involve for this fellowship?
Selection is based on the applicant’s professional journalism experience and the merit of their proposed investigative project. Non-traditional applicants from related fields are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Durham University and Reuters jointly manage the final selection. Complete details of evaluation stages should be confirmed through the official fellowship portal.