Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellowship at IPI

Current opportunity

Open: IPI journalism and media freedom research fellowship
The HS Foundation Fellowship at the IPI greatly enhanced my knowledge on the state of press freedom around the world. My work in monitoring attacks on journalists, interviewing media and getting acquainted with government censorship, disinformation and political abuse opened my eyes to these issues not only in autocratic regimes, but also in countries that pride themselves on having a free press. The fellowship left me a lasting interest in press freedom issues as well as a good knowledge of NGO work. It also enhanced my confidence in working in a truly international environment with extremely supportive and professional colleagues.
Henri Koponen
Staff journalist at business daily Kauppalehti

The IPI Journalism and Research Fellowship aims to provide a platform for journalists, media experts, advanced MA candidates and graduates, PhD candidates, and early post-doctoral researchers to engage in rigorous work that can inform policy, advocacy, and innovation in media and free expression. The fellowship is open to applicants affiliated with organisations and institutions based in Finland.

The fellowship is a structured and financially supported opportunity to produce high impact work, while gaining direct insight into and contributing to IPI’s global work to support and defend press freedom and independent journalism. Fellows will be based in IPI’s Vienna office and will benefit from mentorship from IPI staff, peer exchange, professional development and integration in IPI’s global network of journalists which will strengthen the quality and reach of their work. The fellows will receive guidance on publication and dissemination, enabling fellows to ensure their outputs inform advocacy, policy debates, and practical interventions in support of independent journalism and freedom of expression. Fellows will have the possibility to conduct archival research in the IPI Archive. A dedicated travel fund allows the fellow to join IPI conferences, events, and country visits globally. 

Specific fellowship outcomes may include:

  • Original research, policy analysis, or journalistic work addressing pressing issues in media freedom and freedom of information, media capture and threats to independent journalism, media innovation, safety of journalists, disinformation, ownership and regulation, and the relationship between media, security, and democracy, or other relevant topics.
  • Written/audio/visual publications that are useful for both scholarly audiences and media /civil society/policy stakeholders; for reference please explore IPI’s Archive Exhibition.
  • Contribution to IPI’s knowledge base, enabling advocacy or capacity-building in relevant areas. 
My time with International Press Institute certainly helped me grow as a journalist. Coming from Finland, press freedom was something I sometimes took for granted. IPI knocked those rose-tinted glasses off my nose. I got to talk with brave journalists, who do their work despite the risks they face in oppressive states. I witnessed how innocent journalists were sentenced to jail in Turkey. I got to stand with Slovakia in mass protests after the brutal murder of journalist Ján Kuciak. The eye-opening fellowship programme also made me realize that without actively defending it, press freedom could be threatened even in countries like Finland.
Alma Onali
Estonia Correspondent for Helsingin Sanomat
The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellowship with IPI offered me a unique opportunity to learn about a variety of press freedom issues around the world. I am especially thankful for the several press freedom missions I was able to take part in. The missions gave me hands-on experience of press freedom advocacy, and meeting local journalists helped me to understand the problems they face in their work. The fellowship has inspired me to continue working with press freedom issues in my work as a journalist.
Sanna Pekkonen
Staff journalist at business daily Kauppalehti
For a journalist, working at IPI is a great opportunity to see on the one hand, how non-governmental organizations are working and on the other hand how diverse press freedom challenges colleagues around the world are facing. You also get to travel a lot, which gives you a better understanding about the specific media freedom conditions in different cultural and political contexts.
Matilda Jokinen
Freelance journalist for Kuntalehti and Suomen Kuvalehti

The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation is a private, non-profit organization. Its purpose is to promote and support high-level research and the implementation of freedom of speech. The Foundation carries out its mission by awarding grants and fellowships and by maintaining the Media Museum and Archives Merkki. The Foundation spends approximately EUR 4 million annually on its non-profit activities. The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation was established in the year 2005.

IPI is extremely grateful for the generosity of the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation in making this fellowship possible.

For questions about the Fellowship please contact Dumitrița Holdiș at dholdis(at)ipi.media