How to apply for the Oxford Climate Journalism Network
This is a unique opportunity to join a global network, and learn from peers and academics, while developing your own expertise and career in climate journalism.
What do members do?
Members of the network will participate in a six-month online programme with access to world-leading experts, dedicated workshops and a community of 100 journalists from all continents.
Please keep in mind that this is an intensive programme that requires member involvement. We expect participants to join a series of mandatory sessions, and we also host a range of optional sessions that help us build our community. Consider this time commitment before applying.
Successful applicants will be expected to:
- Join 14 mandatory sessions. These are one introductory session, one closing session and 12 keynote 90-minute seminars held every two weeks. These mandatory sessions are usually held Tuesdays at 13:00 UK time to allow for maximum time zone coverage. This unfortunately results in inconvenient hours for colleagues in East Asia, the Pacific and Western North America.
- Join the community’s dedicated online platform and engage with other members there
- Join 60-minute optional sessions whenever possible. These are often held at 13:00 UK time, but may vary to allow for better hours for colleagues. We usually run around 25 optional sessions, in addition to our 14 mandatory sessions.
- Engage with the network’s community, including discussion with colleagues on an online platform, and participating whenever possible in additional activities and events
- Complete three brief questionnaires tracking their knowledge through the process, including a survey in June, another one in December and a mid-course survey.
Who should apply?
The course is designed for reporters from all beats, desks and formats that are interested in improving their coverage of climate change. This course is not only for climate specialists, although they are also welcome to apply.
The course aims to broaden the scope of climate change journalism. As a result, journalists, multimedia reporters, photographers and editors from beats such as sports, business and politics are encouraged to apply. This is not a course for students or for PR professionals. Only practising journalists should apply.
Applicants should have the written support of their line manager to attend the 14 mandatory sessions and join the rest of the programme.
- Check out 11 things our members got from the climate network in this piece
What are we looking for?
Candidates will be evaluated solely on their application form materials.
We are looking for journalists from all beats, platforms and levels of seniority that are passionate about climate coverage. Successful applicants have included junior reporters from France and Venezuela, editors in chief from Belgium and Tanzania, financial reporters from India and Chile and generalists from the US and Fiji.
We are looking for clear reasons why applicants want to join the Network and for clear support from the applicant’s newsroom (or editor, if freelance).
We are looking for both applicants from traditional climate journalism spaces (environment correspondent or climate editor, for instance), but we also want to hear from beats, newsroom roles and regions that are not prioritised in global climate coverage. This includes, for instance, fashion and political reporters, photojournalists and fact checkers, and journalists based in the Global South.
Generous funding from our sponsors enables the network to be run at no cost to our members. The only commitment we require from our members is their time and participation.
- Learn everything you need to know when applying to the network in this piece by our own Katherine Dunn.
What do I need to apply?
Complete the form below and provide a letter from your editor confirming you have their support. The letter should state that your outlet will allocate time for you to participate in our activities. It can also include information on why your manager thinks you are a good fit for the programme. For more information on the letter, see the FAQs below.
Applications are now closed. They will re-open in September 2025.
1. Should I apply for the network, or should my news organisation nominate me?
All applications must come from the person that wants to join the network. We don’t accept applications from news organisations. What we require is a letter of support from the editor or manager stating that they support the application.
2. Does my newsroom need to commit to publish any stories if I join the OCJN?
No, we don’t require newsrooms to commit to publishing any stories. We do, however, require them to allocate time for their staff to join the biweekly seminars.
3. I am a freelancer. Can I still apply to the network?
Yes, freelancers are more than welcome to apply. We would require you to provide us with a letter from the editor you work more closely with.
4. What if I am a freelancer and I don’t have an editor to write me a letter?
Then we cannot accept your application. We need members to have the backing of a newsroom / editor before applying.
5. What is the limit of applicants per news organisation for the Oxford Climate Journalism Network?
We encourage reporters and editors to apply regardless of how many people are from your newsroom. There is no limit on how many applications we can receive per outlet, but we will likely only pick one or two per new organisation. The rule is that applications must come from the person, not from the newsroom.
6. I am an editor-in-chief and the only person to provide a support letter is myself, do you still need that?
Yes, we had similar situations in the past. Ideally, we would require the publisher to write the letter, in that case; if that person is not available, please provide the letter yourself.
7. I submitted my application and forgot to attach the support letter. Can you please advise?
Please re-submit the application. If it tells you that form has been filled out, please try another browser. Otherwise, forward the file to reuters.institute@politics.ox.ac.uk and we’ll consider it.
8. I am a former/retired journalist, and I am interested in climate journalism. Can I still apply?
No, sorry. The course is geared towards practicing journalists.
9. I am a student, comms person or academia worker. Can I apply?
No, sorry. The course is geared towards practicing journalists.
10. Will there be any pre-recorded sessions?
The sessions are all live and online. While there will be some recordings, the course requires live participation for at least the 12 seminars, the introductory session and the closing session.
11. I am a journalist that sometimes must travel to cover events so I might have to miss a session. Is that ok with the course guidelines?
The mandatory sessions will likely take place on Tuesdays at 13:00 BST time every two weeks. However, we are aware of conflicting tasks and schedules all have. Therefore, we can understand if you can’t attend one or two of the 12 seminars, though we encourage you to make a commitment for the whole of the course.
12. I can’t get a letter from my manager/editor. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, not. We need explicit support from newsrooms.
13. Are sessions run in English?
Yes, our online interactions are entirely in English. You need a functional but not expert level of English to join the course.
14. I have a disability and will require some adjustments to follow the course. Can I still apply?
Yes, we have worked in the past with reporters with disabilities and we will provide arrangements to ensure you have full access to the contents. You are not expected to disclose your disability in the application process, but you are welcome to include it if you feel like it. We will contact successful applicants once they are accepted for this and we will make necessary arrangements then.
15. Can I apply for only one of the two cohorts opening next year?
Yes. There is a question on that in the application form, please make sure to tick the right boxes.
16. Do I have to pay anything?
No. Generous funding from our sponsors enables the network to be run at no cost to our members.