IPI Journalism and Media Freedom Research Fellowship

The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism. IPI was founded in 1950 and has been defending media freedom and the free flow of information since. IPI conducts advocacy, monitors threats to journalists, produces research and analysis, and facilitates networking, skills exchange, and best practices among media professionals. IPI is based in Vienna, Austria.

The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation is a private, non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing high-quality research and promoting the principles of freedom of speech. The Foundation also supports quality journalism, journalists’ education and media literacy, and organises competitions aligned with its mission. The Foundation manages the Media Museum and Archives Merkki (formerly the Päivälehti Museum and Päivälehti Archives), preserving and showcasing Finland’s media heritage.

About this Fellowship

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. 

Our main areas of interest are:

• Media regulation and media policy 
• Press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information
• The relationship between media, democracy, and security
• Media capture, media ownership, and political influence
• Innovation in media business models, sustainability, and local journalism
• Climate journalism
• Disinformation, with a focus on climate and environmental journalism
• Digital threats and the safety of journalists 
• Investigative journalism, journalistic practices and methodologies, with a focus on collaboration 
• Media archives and archival practices in journalism

Eligibility and duration

The fellowship is open to journalists, media/media freedom experts, advanced MA students and graduates, PhD students, recent PhD graduates and researchers affiliated with organisations and institutions based in Finland.

The duration of the fellowship is four months at the IPI headquarters in Vienna (or hybrid, if full residency isn’t possible). Alternative arrangements are possible on a case-by-case basis. 

*IMPORTANT NOTE:

There are two consecutive positions advertised for 2027. The recommended periods of residency are as follows.

• Fellowship 1: March to June, 2027
• Fellowship 2: September to December, 2027

These are recommendations that can be negotiated on an individual basis. Please specify which fellowship period you are applying for in your application.

What we provide:

• The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation offers a compensation package ranging from €1,870 to € 2,600 per month, depending on the qualifications of the selected applicant. The rate for students without a master’s degree is €1,870. The rate for all other applicants, including those with a master’s degree, a PhD, a postdoctoral fellowship, or early-career journalists, is €2,600. The fellows will also receive a one-time travel stipend of €250 to cover their travel from Helsinki to Vienna.
• A travel fund allowing the fellow to join IPI conferences, events, and advocacy missions.
• Access to the IPI office and a desk; however, no laptop or workstation will be provided. We will ask fellows to bring their own device. 
• Access to the IPI archive.
• Mentorship from IPI staff or associated experts.
• Guidance in publication and dissemination 
• Networking opportunities through travel and engagement with IPI’s global network of editors, journalists, and publishers in more than 100 countries
• Unique opportunity to learn about and directly contribute to IPI’s global work to support and defend press freedom

Fellows are expected to:

• Commit to a workweek of 35 hours for the period of the residence, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
• Produce an agreed output by the end of the fellowship (journalistic article(s), report, working paper, data visualisation, podcast series, video or audio documentary, etc.).

• Participate in internal events and meetings to discuss and present their work in progress.

• Submit a short final report evaluating their experience, outputs, and lessons learned.

Additional Requirements:

• Fellows will contribute monthly to the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation’s scholarship blog: www.stipendiblogi.fi.
• Should a fellowship be discontinued earlier than planned, the Foundation reserves the right to reclaim any unused portion of the stipend.