International Journalism Competition 2027 Offering a $2,500 Cash Prize and a Trip to the Netherlands

The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) invites journalists, reporting teams, and media outlets to enter the GIJC27 Global Shining Light Award, a competition recognizing investigative journalism produced in a developing or transitioning country under threat, duress, or extremely difficult conditions. The submission deadline is February 28, 2027.

About the GIJC27 Global Shining Light Award

The award recognizes independent investigative reporting that originated in and affected a Global South country. Eligible work must have been broadcast or published between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026. It must be investigative in nature and uncover an issue, wrongdoing, or system of corruption that gravely affected the common good. The reporting must also have been carried out in the face of arrest, imprisonment, violence against journalists or their families, threats, or intimidation.

Entries are considered in two categories based on the size of the media outlet. The Small and Medium Outlets category is for organizations with 20 staff or fewer, including freelancers. The Large Outlets category is for organizations with more than 20 staff. Top winners receive an honorary plaque, US$2,500, and a trip to the 2027 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to accept the award.

Applicants should submit online links to their work samples. If a sample is not publicly available online, it can be uploaded to a platform such as Google Drive or Dropbox, and the link shared with the award team. Entries in languages other than English must include either a detailed English-language summary of a print or online story, or an English-language transcript of a broadcast script. Explore more competitions and awards and browse other opportunities for youth.

Who Should Apply

This award is intended for journalists, journalism teams, and media outlets whose independent investigative reporting originated in and affected a Global South country. Applicants should have work that meets the publication or broadcast period and addresses a matter that seriously affected the common good. The reporting must also have been conducted amid the risks or intimidation specified in the award criteria. The outlet’s staff size determines which of the two categories applies.

Key Highlights

• Opportunity type: international investigative journalism award.
• Submission deadline: February 28, 2027.
• Eligible work must have been published or broadcast from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
• Two categories: Small and Medium Outlets, and Large Outlets.
• Top winners receive a plaque, US$2,500, and a trip to the 2027 conference in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.